Brand new grad scheme launched for barrister hopefuls
Graduates will, from this week, be able to dabble in community-based youth advocacy for a year, thanks to a brand new grad scheme that is already being likened to Teach First.
Advocacy First (yes, really) is a new opportunity for graduates to have a taste of life at the frontline of the profession, helping disadvantaged youth alongside legal support charity Just for Kids Law for a year. The scheme is initially going to be piloted for three years in Canning Town, London, and — if this is successful — rolled out across the UK.
The focus of the graduate programme is to help some of the country’s most desperate and disadvantaged kids get their lives back on track. Shauneen Lambe, director of the charity, believes Advocacy First will enable Just for Kids Law to help out an extra 1,000 vulnerable people across the three-year pilot.
The three successful applicants can expect one month’s intensive training in education, community care, youth justice, immigration and welfare benefits, and will be paid the London living wage.
Though short, the scheme has been described by Michael Bowes QC, joint head of Outer Temple Chambers, as a “brilliant opportunity” for would-be lawyers to learn practical advocacy skills. He added:
Being selected to be on Advocacy First would be a definite plus point on anyone’s CV.
The deadline for applications is 13 June, with interviews scheduled for 30 June and 1 July. Three more advocates will be recruited in 2017 and another three in 2018.