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How lawyers should take instructions from children

The Law Society is offering innovative trauma-informed skills training to legal practitioners from this September.

This training is aimed at solicitors and barristers who work with children, young people and their families.

The course will run from 11 September until Saturday 15 February and will run on varying Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

Tailored

It is tailored for lawyers who want practical skills in how to communicate effectively and take instructions from children and young people.

Research on children’s experiences of the justice system conducted by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency found that children who engage with the justice system respond better to professionals who have received targeted training on working with children.

Practical skills

The course will provide hands-on practical skills training in how to take instructions from children equipping participants with effective active listening and interviewing techniques.

Participants will also gain an understanding of child development, how to avoid secondary traumatisation of children and methods of self-care.

The maximum participant number is 30 and booking details are available here.

Meanwhile, the Younger Members Committee of the Law Society, in partnership with Law Society Finuas Skillnet, is hosting its fourth annual conference on 10 October at Blackhall Place.

World Mental Health Day

The event will coincide with World Mental Health Day.

The aim is to discuss mindfulness and integrating thoughtful practices into life, both at work and at home, to improve mental health and productivity.

The event will include keynote speakers, followed by an interactive panel discussion. Panel members will share their personal experiences, professional experiences, and provide insights, guidance and practical tips.

Participants can:

• Hear a leading psychotherapist discuss the importance of mental health, and its significance for lawyers and their work,
• Find out how mindfulness can be applied to and implemented in your daily life - both within and away from your work environment, 
• Hear a sports psychologist who has worked with high performance athletes and will draw on the techniques that will help you to succeed in a sustainable way,
• Hear an executive coach discuss the various aspects of career change and development, and how proactive work practices can enhance a career in the long-term.

The conference can be booked here.

It offers three management and professional development CPD points.