Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) has launched its student membership to help trainees achieve the highest possible standards in the sector.
The student membership will give trainees an introduction to working with older, more vulnerable clients, aiming to inspire trainees to support older clients at a time where there is an ageing population and a social care crisis in its peak.
Looking to develop ‘soft skills’ such as communication techniques, problem solving and leadership, the SFE is inviting paralegals, graduates, trainee solicitors and associates of CILEx to work through webinars and notes. The training has been designed to boost employability and give a competitive advantage to members.
Student membership will give access to dedicated student resources, forums and a job board, as well as give the opportunity for members to attend events and provide networking opportunities. Once a trainee has qualified, they will be eligible to upgrade to SFE’s professional membership.
Emma Gray, Board member and Regional Director for Devon and Cornwall at SFE, commented:
“I worked in commercial law for a couple of years, but I felt the need to work with individuals. I knew I wanted to practice in an area of the law that meant I was making a positive difference to people’s lives. I became a specialist in older client law, joining SFE in order to ensure I was trained to the highest standards, could share best practice with colleagues working on similar cases, and build my network. I do not miss my days in the City and I’ve never looked back; it is a truly rewarding area of work and one where demand for specialist lawyers is only increasing thanks to people living longer and becoming more aware of the need to plan ahead for later life.”
Michael Culver, Chair of the Board at SFE, commented:
“We’re really excited about the launch of the student membership. Older client law is often seen as un-glamorous so the earlier we educate young people that a career in this sector is actually very varied and incredibly rewarding, the better. At SFE we believe that our bespoke student membership will provide trainees with a solid grounding in older client law, and will give them the opportunity to network with, and learn from, many established individuals in the sector.”
Adele Hunt, one of SFE’s first student members, said:
“I have always known what area of law I wanted to specialise in, that of Private Client, and I have a keen interest in older client law. The SFE membership is a great way to really help establish the direction I want my career to take, by providing numerous resources and support to increase my knowledge in this area. It is a beneficial way to gain extra recognition too. However, more importantly being a member helps reassure our clients that we will always put our older clients first and have their best interest at heart.”
To find out more about SFE’s membership options and the benefits of becoming an accredited Solicitor for the Elderly visit their website.
