Work Based Learning Pilot

1. Work Based Learning Pilot Tim Pearce Education and Training Solicitors Regulation Authority

2. Work Based Learning • SRA aims: • Secure high standards – ensure that new entrants to the profession are competent to practice as solicitors • Secure consistency in standards of entry • Based on outcomes not process – allows a diversity of routes, which should increase access and a diversity of entrants to the profession

3. Work Based Learning Pilot • Pilot will allow real-life assessment of • development of key materials • roles, needs and effectiveness of providers, and needs of trainees and employers • further measures needed on roll-out • concerns raised by the profession

4. Participants • WBL is being tested on candidates who are: • In training contracts and being assessed by their employer in-house • In training contracts and being assessed by a non-employer assessment organisation • Completing an integrated course of work and study in partnership between assessment organisation and employer • Working as paralegals and being assessed by a non-employer assessment organisation Assessment Review Review

5. Participants • WBL is being tested on candidates who are: • In training contracts and being assessed by their employer in-house (41) • In training contracts and being assessed by a non-employer assessment organisation (9) • Completing an integrated course of work and study in partnership between assessment organisation and employer (20) • Working as paralegals and being assessed by a non-employer assessment organisation (59) Assessment Review Review

6. Participants Employers assessing their own trainees • Beachcroft • Dickinson Dees • Freeth Cartwright • Hodge Jones & Allen • Jones Day • Leeds City Council

7. Participants Oxford Institute of Legal Practice (Oxford Brookes University) - non-employer assessor in partnership with LawNet employers • Aldridge Brownlee • IBB • Lamb Brookes • Parrott & Coales

8. Participants Integrated course of work and study Northumbria University – providing • Law degree • Legal Practice Course • Student Law Office client-facing work experience • Work based learning assessment Employers • Irwin Mitchell • Watson & Burton

9. Participants Nottingham Law School - non-employer assessor in partnership with employers including… • Birmingham City Council • Criminal Cases Review Commission • Herbert Smith • Leeds City Council • Manchester City Council • McArthurGlen • Pearson Rowe • Price Waterhouse Coopers • The Royal Bank of Scotland • Scott Rees • Speechly Bircham • Transport for London

10. Training contract

11. Unassessed learning experience Training contract

12. Unassessed learning experience Assessed PSC Training contract

13. Assessed work based learning Training contract

14. Assessed work based learning Training contract

15. Assessed work based learning Non training contract framework

16. Development cycle Assessment Review Review

17. Development cycle Assessment Review Review Review

18. Development cycle Review Evidence

19. Development cycle Developmentplan Review Evidence

20. Development cycle Review Evidence Developmentplan Review Evidence

21. Development cycle Review Evidence Review Evidence Developmentplan Review Evidence

22. Development cycle Assessment Review Evidence Review Evidence Developmentplan Review Evidence

23. Development cycle Assessment Review Evidence Review Evidence Developmentplan Review Evidence

24. Development cycle Practising solicitor Assessment Review Evidence Review Evidence Developmentplan Review Evidence

25. Interim Report • SRA are using Middlesex University as independent researchers to provide an objective evaluation of the pilot • Nov 2009 – Interim report focussing on candidates’ experiences • June 2010 – Survey • Oct/Nov 2010 – Full evaluation

26. Interim Report • Findings • overall positive • paralegals 100% positive • trainees mixed but overall positive

27. Candidate comments • “Overall I think the work based learning pilot has enabled me to enrich my knowledge and hone my legal skills as well as increase my confidence and ability to deal with a variety of legal matters, recognising what the issues are and how to resolve them, as would be expected of me as a solicitor. I feel the work based learning programme should be the future of training for • would-be solicitors.” • Emmanuel Ogundimu • Paralegal, Transport for London

28. Employer comments • “I am very impressed with the new method of training which can only be to the general benefit of the profession. We now have a framework against which to judge the competence of a trainee, and clear evidence on which to base our decisions at the end of their training contract. • This is a definite improvement on the existing system with increased consistency and the driving up of standards across the board.” • Julie Walker • Partner, Freeth Cartwright

29. Timescale Aug/Sept 2010 – Candidate assessments Oct/Nov 2010 – Evaluation Report Nov/Dec 2010 – Education and Training Committee Jan-May 2011 – consultation May 2011 onwards – development of plans If WBL is implemented, a 2 or 3 year transitional period is expected, to allow for firms’ recruitment processes

30. Questions and answers The new document sets out questions raised by LETG members and others in the year to date. It will be updated as new questions are posed or as updated answers are available.

31. Further information www.sra.org.uk/students/work-based-learning.page tim.pearce@sra.org.uk 0797 618 2244 richard.morrin@sra.org.uk 01527 517 141 ext 3212

32. Work Based Learning Pilot Tim Pearce Education and Training Solicitors Regulation Authority