The Advanced Award in Paralegal Studies for the Voluntary and Community Sector

Advanced Award in Paralegal StudiesGloria Wills, Chair person of CAVOS receiving her Advanced Award in Paralegal Studies for the Voluntary and Community Sectors at the course Presentation ceremony at Darlington.

These Awards were specially designed by the Association in co-operation with Stockton Riverside College and The Headland Development Trust for those working in the Community and Voluntary Sectors in a variety of organisations and settings, usually but not necessarily in a Managerial or Administrative capacity. Amongst the aims of the Awards are the provision of knowledge and skills in the legal aspects of Community work, initiatives and development. Since the 1980s, Local Government has encouraged Communities to play a more proactive role in regenerating themselves. This resulted in local resident and self-help groups undertaking project development focused on the needs of their particular areas, be it geographical social or economic. These groups have helped tremendously in the regeneration of otherwise run down or derelict areas and the social and economic ills that emanate from them and to bring development in housing, local business, job creation, homelessness, youth work, work amongst the handicapped, community growth (in all its aspects), environmental improvement, etc.

Against this background of social change, Government led initiatives have been established and have grown in the regions, providing a variety of sources of funding. As these community led projects have grown as a result of their success so has the demand for training and self help opportunities that have given a grass roots approach to regeneration. Running such projects is not only time consuming but fraught with legal obstacles that constantly have to be overcome for the project to continue. Every aspect of life is concerned with legal matters to some degree or another and businesses (whether they are run for profit or for social concern) particularly so. This usually means taking legal advice which not only is time consuming and frustrating but, of course, usually very costly.

These courses address many of the legal issues that community and voluntary workers, managers or administrators will come across on a regular basis and is specifically designed to provide learners with the opportunity to acquire key legal skills that will greatly assist in the running, administration and growth of a sector project or organisation.

The Advanced Award in Paralegal Studies for the Voluntary and Community Sectors:

There are three courses at differing levels. The Main qualification is The Advanced Award in Paralegal Studies for the Voluntary and Community Sectors:

The following is a brief outline of the content of this course:-
  • Sources of Law,
  • Administration of Justice,
  • Business Constitutions
  • Charity Law
  • The Law of Contract
  • The Law of Tort and Civil Litigation
The Foundation Award in Paralegal Studies for the Voluntary and Community Sectors:

It became clear during the delivery of the Advanced Award that a structured programme of study was needed at a foundation level to allow underpinning of knowledge that would equip people to progress. A Foundation Course (The Foundation Certificate in Paralegal Studies for the Voluntary and Community Sectors) was developed from the Advanced Award. It is aimed at providing individuals who may be volunteers or community activists with a basic knowledge and understanding of key issues surrounding community development. Each session of two hour duration will provide students with the opportunity of learning in a relaxed and informal atmosphere, by undertaking exercises around re-enforcing