Meet Libby, an IPSEA Advice Line volunteer since 2023.  After a family member was supported by IPSEA navigating the SEND legal framework, Libby wanted to help empower other families, whilst also developing skills to support her career.

My name is Libby, and I have been a volunteer with IPSEA since September 2023, alongside completing my undergraduate degree in history, a law conversion course, and now working as an Education and Children’s Rights paralegal at a national law firm. I started volunteering with IPSEA after a family member had accessed IPSEA's services having faced the challenge of navigating the SEND legal framework themselves. Volunteering on the advice line has been a great and rewarding opportunity to support families in similar situations, whilst also developing skills to support my legal career.

A day in the life of a volunteer

There is not really a typical day as a volunteer with IPSEA, as every call is so different. They tend to last 30-45 minutes in length and can involve many issues, ranging from EHC needs assessments to disability discrimination. The variety is one of the reasons I love volunteering on the advice line so much.

There are challenging aspects of volunteering, particularly the emotional side of the calls. A lot of families are going through really difficult times and parents are often distressed, so whilst it is important to give parents all the right advice, it is sometimes as important to be a listening ear. I think these calls are the most difficult to navigate and deal with personally, but I have always found that there has been great support at IPSEA, and the challenges that come with volunteering are far outweighed by knowing that a 30 minute call can actually make a difference to a child or young person. It is so nice hearing and getting feedback from parents that they feel confident and supported in their next steps.

Skills I have developed as part of my role

Alongside developing a strong understanding of SEND law, the general skills I have developed whilst volunteering on IPSEA’s advice line have proved deeply useful in obtaining my current role. Throughout recruitment processes, I drew from my experiences with IPSEA to answer interview questions, varying from communication skills to client-care. In particular, verbal communication has always been a skill I have personally struggled with, but having had so much practice explaining complex legal topics to parents, I have found that I have grown much more confident. These are skills that are not just applicable to Education law, but will be helpful to anyone wanting to pursue a career in law - especially as the competition currently is so tough!

My advice for prospective volunteers 

I truly believe you will get as much out of volunteering for IPSEA as you give to the role. Starting on the advice line can be daunting, and there is certainly a learning curve in the first few months. I would encourage anyone to stick with volunteering as it definitely gets easier, and IPSEA’s legal team is always there to answer any questions that you may have.