Application Name

Kerry College, Listowel Campus Student Support Team

Location

Kerry College Listowel Campus

Point of Contact

Angela O Sullivan, Kerry College

Category

Positive Culture - An initiative that ensures that mental health and wellbeing are regarded as the responsibility of all.

Summary

Needs were assessed both formally and informally through staff discussions, observations, assessments and focus groups. Expertise from guidance and other staff was incorporated into the needs assessment. Very comprehensive and thought-through. Planning was done based on an existing evidence-based model for supporting students and their wellbeing and the group also looked at best practice from higher education. The planning of activities was also comprehensive and considered and included learners as well as staff. This is a very mature and well-developed initiative. The applicant provides lots of details on how the group were established and how they went about delivering on their initiative. They were able to identify numerous challenges, which speaks again to the maturity of the application and the approach by the group. It also speaks to the support they receive from leadership to try things and learn from any failures. Also looking at CPD for staff and supports from within the community. Evaluation was done through:

• Gathering feedback from staff and learners.
• Establishing a student forum showing a want for more engagement.
• Trialling initiatives and adopting if successful.
• Setting objectives and goals and adapting if necessary.