UCL Integrated Legal Advice Clinic (UCL iLAC) Summer Volunteer Assistants

About the project

The UCL Integrated Legal Advice Clinic (iLAC), based in central Stratford, offers local residents free face to face general legal advice on all aspects of social welfare law including welfare benefits and housing. 

Staffed by UCL law students working under the close supervision of qualified lawyers and advisers, the Clinic offers students a rich educational opportunity while also providing a valuable and much needed service to members of the local community. 

Whilst volunteering at iLAC, students will gain valuable hands on experience and develop a greater understanding of legal needs while providing a much needed service to one of England's most deprived boroughs. 

The Role: iLAC Summer Volunteer Assistant

Summer assistants will be based in-person at the UCL Integrated Legal Advice Clinic in central Stratford, and responsible for a wide range of tasks that will develop their client handling, legal research and casework skills.

This post is ideal for students considering pursuing a career in a charity or NGO, or in legal aid or social welfare law. 

Summer volunteer assistants will:

• Assist with administrative tasks such as data collection, booking appointments, sending routine letters, making client appointments and file management.
• Be responsible for answering the clinic phone, manning the reception desk and taking new enquiries from clients over the phone and in person under the supervision of iLAC staff.
• Assist Advisers during advice sessions and with casework, with cases covering welfare benefits, housing, education and community care law.

Summer assistants will complete training on working with vulnerable clients, confidentiality, data protection and client management as well as our case management system, letter writing and case file management.

Please note this is a volunteer role and is not remunerated. However, travel and lunch expenses will be covered for days in the clinic. 

Eligibility:

This opportunity is open to all LLB and LLM students (including those graduating in 2022).

Requirements:

We are looking for student supervisors who can demonstrate:

• An ability to commit to the clinic for the time commitment sought
• Excellent time management and organisational skills;
• Friendliness and approachability;
• Good attention to detail;
• An interest in and commitment to social justice issues;
• Willingness and ability to be flexible, open minded, and non-judgemental regarding clients and their difficulties;
• Awareness of the potential needs of, and demands placed on, vulnerable clients;
• Reliability and commitment, good interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively both independently, and collaboratively as part of a team.

Time commitment 

We are looking for students who are able to commit to volunteering in-person at Stratford for between 1 and 2 full days per week from 20th June – 9 September 2022.  

While we expect students to be available for the majority of the summer period, we appreciate that students will take holiday during this period and will accommodate a reasonable period of time away. Please make sure to clearly outline your availability and any periods you may be away during your application.

How to apply:

Applications are currently closed.

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Jennifer Akinola at jennifer.akinola@ucl.ac.uk

Key information

Deadline for applications: Monday 30th May, 5pm (CLOSED)

Who can apply: Open to all LLB and LLM UCL Students

Volunteering requirement: 1-2 full days per week between 20th June and 9th September

Training dates: TBC

Please note this opportunity requires in-person activity and cannot be done remotely.