Paralegal Review

I work in the Court of Protection team assisting in managing client's assets who lack capacity to manage this themselves, but also with Trust clients and setting up fast-track Personal Injury Trusts. Deputy clients include setting up insurances, approving payments, property adaptations/purchases, therapies, rehabilitation etc.

I have learnt and developed many skills, including my attention to detail and becoming more proactive instead of reactive, my knowledge of the law has improved specifically relating to the Mental Capacity Act and Trusts, my communication, professionalism and team-work skills have developed.

My programme finished in December 2020, this was delayed from finishing in August because of covid-19 which was a shame, but mainly out of anyone's hands. I enjoyed my programme for the most part and learnt a lot as well as developed lots of skils, however, communication could have been better throughout. Howver, my law teacher with CLS was very good, but she has since left. There was also very lengthy delays with completing my end-point assessments on the day at the test center because the system was not set up correctly which caused a lot of unnecessary stress, this was never fully addressed by CILEx.

There was a clear timetable with teaching sessions and exams which helped me to plan revision etc. I much preferred having face-to-face teaching sessions as opposed to webinars which not everyone received as I think this is much more engaging and an easier way to learn.

My employer is supportive on a day-to-day basis. My study days were flexible and I had study days when it came to my exams. It is not always the best at balancing workload when working only 4 days because of a study day and this can lead to being stressed and too exhausted to study on a study day, but this could have been helped with effective communication.

Study days are provided and can be flexible each work, but they like it to be the same each week which makes sense. It would be easier and less stressful if amount of working days per week were taken into account more when considering workload and capacity levels.

The exams and units that I completed in the apprenticeship were not specific to my department, however, it is quite a niche department and there are not units specific to this. My department incorporates lots of different aspects of the law, so it was helpful completing the units that I did. This also widened by knowledge hugely with client care etc.

We have specific groups who arrange extra-curricular activities such as football, netball and social events. These are enjoyable and the office is friendly.

Yes

For the most part, this is a great place to work, there are great benefits and progression can be discussed and worked towards. However, for my progression onto the next apprenticeship, this has been unnecessarily delayed due to changing the providers, I also made some suggestions to other progression routes such as the level 7 apprenticeship, but I could not see that this was not considered. But, I am grateful for the progression and my team is very friendly and helpful.

Be open to constructive criticism and actively seek it, this will help you improve and develop. Be more proactive as opposed to reactive and actively request progression and chase for this if you do not receive updates.