SOS!SEN

Applications for this opportunity will open shortly.

About SOS!SEN:

SOS!SEN is a organisation committed to the vision that all children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in England receive the appropriate education, health, and care support. They aim to empower children and young people to reach their full potential as learners and as skilled, independent individuals.

SOS!SEN are dedicated to empowering parents, young people, and carers by providing them with knowledge about their rights and entitlements. Their services include quality legally-based advice and strategic guidance, helping families to navigate the educational system and ensure their rights are upheld. Additionally, they foster a community for parents and carers, promoting the sharing of experiences and support. They also engage in awareness-raising activities, training, campaigning, and lobbying to address the challenges within the SEND system, and work to educate teachers and local authorities to help them meet their legal obligations to children and young people with SEND.

Volunteer Role Description:

SOS!SEN are looking for students to fill two volunteer roles within the organisation: Meet and Greet Volunteers and PAP Letter Writing Volunteers. 

Meet and Greet Volunteers

Meet and Greet Volunteers will provide the first point of contact for clients at the Westminster Advice Centre. Volunteers will arrive at the centre and greet parents, enter their details on SOS!SEN’s database and guide visitors to the appropriate areas within the centre. Volunteers will also have the chance to shadow experienced advisers. This role provides a brilliant opportunity for students to support parents, develop their client care skills and build their knowledge of SEND law. 

Please note this role will take place in person. 

PAP Letter Writing Volunteers

The PAP Letter Writing Volunteer role with SOS!SEN is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain meaningful experience in legal drafting. In this role, you’ll be involved in writing pre-action protocol letters under the guidance of a qualified solicitor.  

Pre Action Protocol Letter Writing Volunteers will:

  • Be responsible for drafting pre action protocol letters under the supervision of a qualified solicitor
  • Review and redraft pre action letters if required
  • Engage in research to support their written work
  • Follow a rota schedule which determines when they work
  • Keep accurate records in the charity database
  • Process and manage large quantities of information efficiently
  • Manage correspondence with Local Authority legal departments
  • Liaise with families

In addition to these responsibilities, volunteers will receive basic training in SEND law. This placement is an excellent opportunity for individuals who have a keen interest in disability, neurodivergence issues, SEND, or education more generally.

Please note this role will take place remotely. 

What Will Volunteers Gain?

By participating in this volunteer program, students will:

  • Develop interpersonal skills through interaction with parents, young people, and professionals.
  • Gain practical experience with key legal drafting skills (PAP Letter Writing Volunteers)
  • Enhance their understanding of SEND law, public law, and the challenges within the educational system.
  • Have the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and young people with SEND.

 

Time Commitment:

Meet and Greet Volunteers will need to be available from 10AM - 2PM on the following dates:

  • Wednesday 21st October 2026
  • Wednesday 18th November 2026
  • Wednesday 9th December 2026
  • Wednesday 20th January 2027
  • Wednesday 24th February 2027
  • Wednesday 10th March 2027
  • Wednesday 21st April 2027
  • Wednesday 19th May 2027
  • Wednesday 16th June 2027 

PAP letter writing volunteers will be expected to commit a minimum of 5 hours per week, remotely, where they will draft their PAP letter. This time may also include reviewing letters, information-collecting, and follow up work.

Volunteers are expected to complete the letter and associated follow up work before the end of the working week. Volunteers will reserve time slots for when they will be completing this work, and these time slots should fall within normal working hours. 

Training 

SOS!SEN will provide the following training for both Meet and Greet Volunteers and PAP letter volunteers:

  • Introduction to SOS!SEN
  • Basic SEND law training

For PAP Letter Writing Volunteers:

  • Training around different types of schools
  • The SOS!SEN approach
  • Education Law
  • PAP Project training
  • A walkthrough of how to draft a PAP letter - with Eleanor
  • Safeguarding training
  • Ongoing CPD
  • Access to back catalogue of webinars 

In addition to SOS!SEN’s internal training, all students be required to complete the CAJ Mandatory Volunteer training, which covers data protection and confidentiality, working with vulnerable clients, professional conduct and regulation, self-care, and our expectations of CAJ volunteers.

As part of the CAJ training, you will need to attend an in person training session on either 14 October or 21 October 2026. 

Pro Bono Skills Development Framework  

The Centre for Access to Justice offers all students engaged in voluntary pro bono the opportunity to participate in the Pro Bono Skills Development Framework . This framework allows you to reflect on the skills gained during your placement, aligned with the Aurora Competence Framework. Completing it earns you a Certificate of Commitment to Pro Bono, acknowledging your dedication and skill development. Your participation will help you document and showcase the valuable competencies you’ve developed, however, please note that participation in the PBSDF scheme is entirely voluntary and will not affect your placement in any way.  

Eligibility

The Meet and Greet role is open to all Law students. Meet and Greet Volunteers must commit to attending the Westminster Centre in person on the dates given above. 

The PAP Letter Writing role is open to LLB students in Year 2+ and LLM Students. PAP Letter Writing Volunteers must be willing to commit a minimum of 5 hours per week, from the end of September 2026 to July 2027. Students must also have a keen interest in public law or education law.

How to Apply:

To apply, please complete the following application form: SOS!SEN Volunteers 2026/2027 – Fill in form. The form will open for responses shortly.

When applying, please make sure you have completed the CAJ Equality and Diversity Monitoring Questionnaire (26-27) – Fill in form. You only need to complete this once per academic year.  

Please note the Centre for Access to Justice strongly discourages use of artificial intelligence in applications. Use of content generated by artificial intelligence in your application may affect your chance of success.