Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeships
A paralegal apprenticeship is the perfect entry point for an apprentice. And, combined with our solicitor apprenticeship, it can be used as the first step on the pathway to qualifying as a solicitor. Paralegals usually work under the supervision of qualified lawyers and give legal advice on routine and straightforward matters. They help to support other legal professionals, including having input on regulated aspects of law.
Investing in a paralegal apprentice is an investment in your firm’s future. And with the only paralegal apprenticeship in England which incorporates O Shaped resources, Damar can support you to develop well-rounded, client-centred legal professionals.
Advantages of paralegal apprenticeships
Paralegal apprenticeships by Damar offer a wealth of value to your legal firm or team. Some of the key benefits of a paralegal apprenticeship include:
- A wider talent pool: Apprentices can attract individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, broadening your talent pool.
- Provide team support: A new apprentice can support your team to meet client requirements and goals.
- Build skills from the ground up: Apprentices will learn essential legal knowledge and also bring different skills and approaches that complement the traditional trainee route.
- Address talent gaps: Your apprentice can be strategically used to fill specific skill shortages within your existing legal support team.
Read some of our paralegal employer testimonials to discover more benefits.
Our unique approach
At Damar, we’re proud to have been delivering impactful apprenticeship training since 1980. You can rely on us to support you and your team to deliver apprenticeships with real long-term value.
Our resources
We offer seven different pathways, covering all the main areas of law. Content is delivered through specialist workshops and a variety of online resources. We also have the only paralegal apprenticeship in England which incorporates O Shaped resources, aimed at creating more client-led, people-focused, and business-minded legal professionals.
Our people
Our experienced team will support and empower you and your apprentice, ensuring that they achieve their qualification and make an impact on your organisation. All of our paralegal coaches and subject specialists are qualified and experienced legal professionals.
Our processes
We offer a one-team approach, ensuring that you have a seamless enrolment and onboarding process, and a learning programme that is organised into clear and manageable sections.
Our systems
We provide an accessible and engaging learning journey through platforms like OneFile, Profiler, Damar Learning, and our dedicated apprentice forums.
“The paralegal apprenticeship provides a culture of learning and development for our ambitious colleagues and promotes progression in our organisation. It allows us to retain talent and supports one of our values – making the difference for our colleagues.”
Lynette Smith
Senior Learning & Development Partner
Brabners
Our paralegal level 3 apprenticeship delivery
Our approach to paralegal apprenticeships prioritises support for both employers and apprentices:
- Pre-work: Apprentices read articles or watch video content related to the module.
- Group coaching session: Apprentices can ask questions in a group setting, discuss their learning with peers, and prepare themselves for the individual learning activity.
- Individual learning activity: Apprentices will work through an activity brief, building their evidence to support their portfolio and end-point assessment.
- Main learning programme: The apprentice will participate in self-directed and interactive content available on our online learning platform.
- 1:1 coaching visit: Every six weeks, the Damar coach will meet with the apprentice to review progress, discuss personal development plans, and sign off completed modules.
- Legal knowledge and practice content: Apprentices are supported with live workshops delivered by sector experts, and high-quality online resources.
- Review meeting: Every 12 weeks, the Damar coach and apprentice will meet with their line manager to review their progress.
Paralegal apprenticeship take approximately 21 months (including preparation for end-point assessment).
People of all ages and educational backgrounds can undertake paralegal apprenticeships, but there are some restrictions, the most important of which are:
- The employer and the training provider must ascertain that the apprenticeship will allow the individual to gain substantive new skills. The training therefore needs to be materially different from any prior qualification or previous apprenticeship.
- The apprenticeship must align with the skills needs of the apprentice’s role.
- The apprentice must be employed, usually for 30+ hours a week, and work more than 50% of their time in England.
- All apprenticeships must take at least 12 months with apprentices spending a minimum of 6 hours per week in off-the-job training. All Damar apprenticeships plan for more than the legal minimum. There is more on how we maximise the benefits of off-the-job training here: https://damartraining.com/news/2023/so-what-is-off-the-job-training/.
Paralegal apprenticeships are formed of carefully planned and sequenced 6-week modules that help apprentices learn and apply the knowledge, skills and behaviours required.
Paralegal modules:
- Legal and regulatory requirements
- Unlocking potential
- Collaborative working and equality
- Security and sustainability
- Effective communication and drafting
- Principles of workload management
- Assisting on legal matters
- Commercial drivers and client accounts
- The stakeholder
- Legal research skills
- Principles of problem solving
- Legal landscape
Employer partners and apprentices are supported throughout the apprenticeship. The apprentice has a dedicated coach who provides 1:1 support, alongside the group coaching sessions and apprentice forums where they can engage with other appentices on the same programme. Review meetings with the apprentice, line manager and coach are held every 12 weeks.
Apprentices with additional learning needs also have the opportunity to meet with our SEND Co-ordinator, who will put together a personalised support plan.
In addition, employer partners have a business development manager/executive they can contact at any time.
All apprenticeships embed the functional use of maths and English as well as personal development topics in areas such as equality and diversity and British Values. Apprentices unable to evidence maths and English at GCSE grade 4 or above may need to take functional skills exams as part of the apprenticeship. Additional training is provided if necessary.
The end-point assessment for paralegal apprenticeships involves:
- A 60 minute professional discussion with an independent end-point assessor, supported by a portfolio.
- A project report, presentation and Q&A with an independent assessor on a specific problem, recurring issue or an idea or opportunity relating to the apprentice’s area of specialism.
There is an exciting range of progression routes from paralegal apprenticeships. The most common is to the solicitor apprenticeship. Other routes are to the Chartered Legal Executive apprenticeship or apprenticeships in related areas such as Data Protection and Information Governance Practitioner. Several other higher level legal apprenticeships are in development.
If your annual UK wage bill is over £3 million, the cost of training can be funded via the Apprenticeship Levy. We can help you navigate your Apprenticeship Service account to access this funding.
If your annual UK wage bill is below £3 million, the government covers 95-100% of the training costs.
For apprentices aged up to 21, the apprenticeship is fully government-funded*. For apprentices aged 22 and over, the apprenticeship is 95% government-funded*. These new funding rules are applicable to apprentices starting from 1 April 2024.
*Please note: Some apprenticeships have accreditation costs which are not eligible for government funding
We have regular start dates throughout the year for our apprenticeships. Please get in touch for more information.
Future-proof your organisation with Damar
Empower your legal team with paralegal apprenticeships. Our structured approach to knowledge and skill development can enhance your organisation’s productivity and support its growth. With over 40 years of experience and a history of developing thousands of successful apprentices, we’re your trusted partner in building your legal team.
Ready to invest in your team’s future? Make an enquiry with our expert team today.
Paralegal apprenticeship FAQs
A paralegal apprenticeship is a structured training programme that combines on-the-job experience with formal learning to develop skilled professionals within your organisation. As an employer, you can benefit from cost-effective talent development, address current skill gaps, and future-proof your workforce.
Damar deliver the only paralegal apprenticeship in England which incorporates O Shaped resources. O Shaped is a movement aimed at creating more client-led, people-focused and business-minded legal professionals. The resources support paralegals to develop core skills become more effective in areas such as relationship building, emotional intelligence and problem solving.
Watch our short interview with Dan Kayne, Founder of O Shaped for more insight.
To support the efficient operation of your legal team, a paralegal apprentice can partake in many tasks, including managing data and records, reviewing documents, carrying out legal research, and taking and filing accurate notes. They can also handle client communication and support, and assist with client meetings.
On completion, apprentices can apply to the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) to become a registered paralegal technician. For apprentices interested in the CILEX route, the apprenticeship also grants exemption from certain CILEX foundation units.
Yes, upskilling your existing employees through a paralegal apprenticeship is a highly beneficial strategy for you as an employer. Investing in the development of your current workforce demonstrates your commitment to their growth, which can significantly boost morale and reduce staff turnover.
For more information, have a read of our employer FAQs for more information.
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