Support & advice for school leavers
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Financial support
If you’re worried about the costs associated with attending college, don’t worry, you may be eligible for financial support.
Support available for full time students
As part of our full-time study bursary offering, you may be eligible for some or all of the below:
- Free bus pass during term time
- Regular cash payments into your bank account (vulnerable bursary applicants only)
- Free breakfasts whilst in college
- Free lunch whilst in college
- Winter clothing vouchers to wear in the workshops in the colder weather
Support available for apprentices
Our financial support offering for apprentices is bespoke to that individual. If you want more information on support available or if you’re eligible, please contact us on compliance@lcb.ac.uk
Eligibility
For the academic year 2025/26, if you’re in full time study, have a household income under £38,000 per year and achieve good attendance you may be eligible for financial support.
Students must also be under 19 on the last day of the academic year.
The type of support available is awarded on a discretionary basis based on the distance from college, the number of days timetabled to attend, and other personal circumstances.
For more information, read our Student Financial Support Policy 2025-26
Over 19s
There is also a Learner Support Fund available for over 19s. This support is means tested and can be support towards travel, equipment, childcare, exams and other related charges. In order for applicants to be eligible for this fund, their household income needs to be under £38,000 a year.
How to apply
Applying for the Support Fund is simple. You need to complete our online application form and submit your evidence for your household income. Once we have received both of these you’ll be contacted within 4 weeks to advise you if your application was successful.
If you have any questions, contact our bursary team on 0113 2226002 or bursary@lcb.ac.uk
Financial support
If you’re worried about the costs associated with attending college, don’t worry, you may be eligible for financial support.
Support available for full time students
As part of our full-time study bursary offering, you may be eligible for some or all of the below:
- Free bus pass during term time
- Regular cash payments into your bank account (vulnerable bursary applicants only)
- Free breakfasts whilst in college
- Free lunch whilst in college
- Winter clothing vouchers to wear in the workshops in the colder weather
Support available for apprentices
Our financial support offering for apprentices is bespoke to that individual. If you want more information on support available or if you’re eligible, please contact us on compliance@lcb.ac.uk
Eligibility
For the academic year 2025/26, if you’re in full time study, have a household income under £38,000 per year and achieve good attendance you may be eligible for financial support.
Students must also be under 19 on the last day of the academic year.
The type of support available is awarded on a discretionary basis based on the distance from college, the number of days timetabled to attend, and other personal circumstances.
For more information, read our Student Financial Support Policy 2025-26
Over 19s
There is also a Learner Support Fund available for over 19s. This support is means tested and can be support towards travel, equipment, childcare, exams and other related charges. In order for applicants to be eligible for this fund, their household income needs to be under £38,000 a year.
How to apply
Applying for the Support Fund is simple. You need to complete our online application form and submit your evidence for your household income. Once we have received both of these you’ll be contacted within 4 weeks to advise you if your application was successful.
If you have any questions, contact our bursary team on 0113 2226002 or bursary@lcb.ac.uk
Additional Support
The College works hard to ensure everyone has the support they need to learn, achieve and enjoy college life. Whatever your specific needs or circumstances, LCB is here to support you in your study and make things as easy as possible.
In this tab, you can find information about our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities support, and Support for Care Experienced Students.
SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
I have a disability, what support can I get at the College?
If you feel you will need additional support whilst at Leeds College of Building please let us know as soon as you apply so that the College can make the reasonable adjustments required to help you.
We offer the following disability access at both our North Street and South Bank campuses for visitors, staff and students:
- Disabled parking for blue badge holders
- Lifts to access all floors
- Disabled toilets
- Full wheelchair access
- Hearing loops available in communal areas
All students who apply to study at Leeds College of Building and declare a SEND need will have a conversation with a member of college staff. Support will be allocated on an individual basis and will vary depending on your assessed needs and any previous support you may have had. During this conversation, if required, the staff member will work with you to develop a personalised support plan that will be shared with others on a need to know basis.
Most of our students with SEND are able to access our mainstream courses, and have needs that can be met through the college’s universal support. A small number of students will benefit from additional targeted support.
Below is an idea of the types of provision we are able to provide at each level:
Universal – ‘Quality First’ Teaching
This is the level of support we offer to all students at the college, and will meet the majority of students’ needs. It comes in many forms, and can be adapted as necessary to meet a specific need.
- In-class differentiation and reasonable adjustments, such as smaller tasks, additional time to complete work
- Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP)
- Risk assessments
- Hearing loops
- Exam Access Arrangements
- Adapted resources
- Overlays/coloured paper, roaming profiles
- Enrichment programme to support unstructured time
- Supported self-referrals to external support providers, such as MindMate
- Referrals to and co-working with the college’s Safeguarding and Child Protection team, and Student Services
Targeted Support
Students may be allocated targeted support in addition to that listed above – this can be throughout your course, or as a short-term intervention to deal with a specific concern or issue.
- Learning Mentor pastoral contact, and structured interventions for specific concerns or SEND need, weekly, or as required, 1:1 ratio
- Personal support 1-1 with tutor
- Assistive technology
- Exam access arrangements
- Personalised in-class support up to 1:1 ratio
- Overlays/ coloured paper, roaming profiles
- Pre and post teaching
- Behaviour action plans with key named contacts
Get in touch
For further details or to speak to a member of the team, please contact Sinitta Craze, Senior ILS Administrator:
Email: Scraze@lcb.ac.uk
Telephone: 0113 222 6048
Support for Care Experienced Students
Starting a new journey at College is an exciting time for most young people but you may experience lots of worries and anxieties around coming to a new place, meeting new people and making new friends. Being care experienced could mean you may need additional support and guidance to help make your College experience a positive one.
Being care experienced means you will have spent time living with foster carers under local authority care, in residential care (e.g. a children’s home), looked after at home under a supervision order, or in kinship care with relatives or friends, either officially (e.g. a special guardianship order) or informally without local authority support.
At Leeds College of Building we offer:
- Dedicated safeguarding officers who are responsible for and have an understanding of the needs of a care experienced student
- Eligible students will receive a bursary to support with costs associated with College. The bursary is up to £1200 per year and will cover the cost of breakfast, lunch and travel. This can also be used towards the cost of equipment
- Arranged visits to your chosen campus, which includes a tour of the faculty area and the opportunity to meet key staff members
- Tailored support, as required. We work closely with the Inclusive learning support team to ensure any support needs are met
- Accessing college services including welfare and financial support, mental health and wellbeing, student enrichment, careers guidance and advice
If you are a care experienced person, a social worker, virtual school or a parent/carer and would like more information around the support we can offer, please contact us at safeguarding@lcb.ac.uk
For information on our Bursary Fund and how to apply for this, please click here.
Careers Advice
Construction is one of the largest industries in the UK. There are hundreds of job roles, from office based to site work.
You can use our recommended Careers A-Z to find out more about specific roles and the courses you can study.
The College Careers Team also offer career information and guidance.
Lisa Pannell
Careers Lead & Level 6 Qualified
Careers Advisor
0113 2226000
L.Pannell@lcb.ac.uk
Careers Leadership and Contact Details
Careers & Employability at Leeds College of Building
Careers & Employability at Leeds College of Building is led by Lisa Pannell, Careers Leader and Level 6 qualified Careers Adviser. Lisa is supported by Alex Cairns, Level 6 qualified Careers Adviser, and Jamie Kitcheman, who is Level 4 qualified and currently working towards the Level 6 Careers Guidance qualification.
Our Careers Team supports learners to explore career pathways, develop employability skills and make informed decisions about their future. Whether you are considering an apprenticeship, employment, further study or higher education, we are here to help you understand your options and plan your next steps.
Contact Details:
If you would like careers advice, guidance or support with your next steps, please contact the Careers Team:
- Email: careers@lcb.ac.uk
- Telephone: 0113 222 6045
- Book an appointment: Via Collsys or through your Progress Coach
How can we help?
We can support you with:
- Personal guidance careers appointments
- Careers advice and guidance
- Apprenticeship, employment and higher education options
- Career planning and progression decisions
- CVs, applications and personal statements
- Interview preparation and employability skills
- Exploring career pathways within construction and the built environment
- Planning your future learning and career journey
All learners can access careers support throughout their time at college. Personal guidance appointments with a qualified Careers Adviser are available to any learner who would like support exploring options, planning their future or making important career decisions.
Some learners may also be offered personal guidance appointments throughout the year to provide additional support with progression planning and next steps.
Careers Guidance At A Glance
At Leeds College of Building, learners have access to careers information, advice, guidance and employability support designed to help them explore opportunities, develop employability skills and make informed decisions about their future.
Throughout your time at college, you will have opportunities to:
- Explore career pathways linked to your course and industry
- Meet employers and learn about opportunities within construction and the built environment
- Access Labour Market Information (LMI) to understand future career opportunities
- Develop employability skills through careers activities and employer engagement
- Take part in workplace experiences where appropriate
- Explore apprenticeships, employment, further study and higher education options
- Access personal guidance from a qualified Careers Adviser
Our Careers & Employability Programme supports learners to progress confidently into education, employment or training and is aligned with Department for Education careers guidance, the Gatsby Benchmarks and the Careers & Enterprise Company framework.
For further information about how Leeds College of Building delivers careers education, information, advice and guidance, please view our Careers Policy, Careers Programme and Welcome from the Careers Team.
Our LCB Careers Programme
Leeds College of Building provides a structured Careers & Employability Programme for learners aged 16-19 and learners up to age 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), aligned with:
- Department for Education statutory guidance
- The Gatsby Benchmarks
- Careers & Enterprise Company framework
- Ofsted expectations for high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG)
The programme supports learners to explore opportunities, develop employability skills and make informed decisions about their future. Through employer encounters, workplace experiences, labour market information, personal guidance and progression activities, learners are supported throughout their learner journey to prepare for their next steps in education, training and employment
A detailed overview of careers activities across the academic year is available in our LCB Careers Programme 2026-2027, which includes:
- Personal guidance appointments
- Employer encounters and careers events
- Labour Market Information (LMI)
- Employability skills development
- Progression and post-course planning
Careers Support for Adult Learners and Apprentices
Adult learners and apprentices can access careers information, advice, guidance and progression support appropriate to their programme and stage of learning.
This may include access to labour market information, progression information, careers guidance, signposting and referral to careers support services where appropriate.
How Learners Access Careers Support
All learners can access careers support throughout their time at college.
Personal guidance appointments with a qualified Careers Adviser are available for learners who would like support with career planning, future options or decisions about their next steps.
Learners can:
- Book appointments through Collsys or via their Progress Coach
- Contact the Careers Team directly
- Access careers activities, employer encounters and events throughout the academic year
- Access careers information, labour market information and progression support
Some learners may also be offered personal guidance appointments throughout the year to provide additional support with planning their future and achieving their next steps.
Parents and carers are welcome to attend appointments for learners under 18 where appropriate and can contact the Careers Team for information and advice to help support progression planning and future decisions.
How Parents and Carers Access Information
Parents and carers can:
- Contact the Careers Team directly for information and guidance
- Attend personal guidance appointments where appropriate
- Request information about careers and employability activities available to their young person
We recognise the important role parents and carers play in supporting learners with progression decisions and future career planning.
Support Information for Parents and Carers
Parents and carers play an important role in supporting learners to make informed decisions about their future.
If you would like additional information or support, please contact the Careers Team at careers@lcb.ac.uk or speak to your young person’s Progress Coach.
Parents and carers are welcome to contact the Careers Team for information and advice to help support progression planning and future career decisions.
To help support career planning, progression decisions and future options, the following resources may be useful:
How Staff Access and Support the Careers Programme
Leeds College of Building takes a whole-college approach to careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG). Staff play an important role in helping learners explore opportunities, develop employability skills and plan their future progression.
Staff can support learners by:
- Referring learners for personal guidance appointments where appropriate
- Promoting careers activities, employer encounters and events
- Supporting learners to engage with careers and employability opportunities
- Embedding careers learning, progression information and Labour Market Information (LMI) within curriculum delivery
- Signposting learners to careers information, resources and support services
A central record of careers activities, employer encounters and guidance interventions is available through Collsys, enabling staff to support learner progression and engagement throughout the academic year.
How Employers Engage with the Careers and Employability Programme
The Careers Team works in partnership with the Employability Team within the College’s Partnerships & Skills department to support the delivery of the Careers & Employability Programme.
Working with employers is an important part of helping learners understand industry expectations, explore career opportunities and develop the skills required for future employment. Learners are provided with opportunities to engage with employers and gain valuable insights into the construction and built environment sectors.
Employers support learners through a range of activities, including:
- Careers fairs and apprenticeship events
- Employer presentations, talks and demonstrations
- Mock interviews and employability workshops
- Employer-led projects and competitions
- Industry visits and workplace experiences
- Recruitment and progression opportunities
Employers interested in supporting the College’s Careers & Employability Programme can contact the Partnerships & Skills Team via the College’s main switchboard on 0113 222 6000.
Measuring and Assessing Impact
The Careers & Employability Programme is regularly reviewed to ensure learners receive high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG).
The impact of the programme is measured through:
- Careers & Enterprise Company Compass+ evaluations against the Gatsby Benchmarks
- Learner feedback and evaluation of careers activities and events
- Employer, parent and stakeholder feedback
- Participation and engagement data
- Learner progression and destination outcomes
- Ongoing review and continuous improvement planning
This helps the College ensure careers provision remains relevant, effective and responsive to learner needs.
Gatsby Benchmarks and Compass+ Tool
Compass+ is the Careers & Enterprise Company’s online evaluation tool, used to help colleges assess careers provision against the Gatsby Benchmarks, identify strengths and inform future development.
- Learn more about the Gatsby Benchmarks here: Gatsby Benchmarks overview
- Find out more about Compass+ here: Compass+ tool information
Review of Information
This careers information is reviewed annually.
Next review date: July 2027
Our commitment to you
We are professional
We follow the Code of Ethics. This means that our careers team are accountable for their career development programme.
We are impartial
We provide independent, impartial careers information, advice and guidance that supports learners to make informed decisions based on their individual interests, aspirations and future goals.
We are accessible
We want all learners to be able to access careers support when they need it. The Careers Team can be contacted through Collsys, via your Progress Coach, by email or by telephone throughout the academic year.
Skillsometer
Not sure what you want your future to look like? Take the Skillsometer quiz to find out which jobs match your skills and interests.
Enrichment
How to get involved
It’s easy to sign up to our enrichment activities. You can sign up during enrolment where the whole enrichment team will be on hand to go through all activities available.
Missed them at enrolment? Don’t worry, our friendly enrichment team are available at both campuses throughout the week. You’ll often see them challenging students to a game of table tennis or heading out to a football tournament.
Examples of the activities available
We have a range of activities held throughout the year including volunteering on community projects, residentials and charity work. To get involved, speak to our enrichment team.
Some activities include:
- Football
- Rugby
- Crafts
- Thai Boxing
- JD Gyms
- Yoga
- XBOX tournaments
- Kayaking and raft making
- First aid
- Countryside walks
Get in touch
If you have any questions regarding our enrichment options, contact us on info@lcb.ac.uk