Pointing disadvantaged youngsters towards careers in law
LJMU once again proved its commitment to supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds thanks to the Law Factor.
The Law Factor aims to open doors for a career in Law to young people from BAME and low social-economic backgrounds or where they are the first in their families to go into higher education.
LJMU believes in widening the diversity of young people who study and ultimately practice law, and recently signed up to the Levelling up Law Initiative with a top law firm partners.
The Law Factor, managed by Catherine Shillito in the LJMU Outreach Team, gives pupils in Year 10 the opportunity to discover more about the legal profession through a structured programme of activity delivered by the Liverpool based law firm, DWF.
Criminal barrister
Twilight interactions provide selected young people with an insight into law led by professional DWF staff, helping them to develop their confidence and belief that such careers are accessible to them. The five-week programme, brought them in touch with academic and professional speakers, including LJMU Director of the Foundation of Citizenship Zia Chaudhry who spoke of his experience as a longstanding criminal barrister and JMSU President Lila Tamea who spoke passionately about her journey to studying Law at LJMU.
In all, more that 25 pupils aged 14-15 took part with virtual attendance from schools across the North West and Midlands.
Helen Redmond, DWF Solicitor and Law Factor Lead said: “I am pleased that, against the odds, we were able to run a successful Law Factor programme this year! It really felt like a ray of positivity in what is a very challenging time, and I hope that the students felt this too.
“It was fantastic to work with the CPS and the Anthony Walker Foundation, and to be able to work with students from Manchester, Bolton, the Wirral, and St Helens – as well as from Liverpool.
Incredibly beneficial
Margaret Winstanley, Careers Lead at Bridgewater High School in Warrington, said: “This was a well-organised and incredibly beneficial programme. We as Bridgewater would not be able to take part if the programme was not online and I would love to give the students the opportunity moving forward, year on year.”
One student said: “I understood what the law profession really entails and what the most important skills are when it comes to employability. I also got to find out about criminal law which I was most interested in.”
Pupils who took part in Law Factor will get further opportunities to engage with LJMU to discover more about courses and pathways to HE. LJMU are also supporting the national Levelling up Law initiative as part of the University’s involvement in the Social Mobility Pledge aimed at those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
If you would like to find out more about how the outreach team supports access to the professions and other initiatives you may be interested in, email outreach@ljmu.ac.uk.
