PDA Family Law SCQF level 8

Access to this PDA will ultimately be at the discretion of the delivering centre. However, candidates are expected in the main to be in employment as a paralegal, either as a trainee or a more experienced paralegal in this or another legal specialism. 

Research for the award has established the importance to employers of the Core Skills in Communication, Working with Others and Problem Solving. To ensure that candidates already have high level skills in reading, writing, talking and listening, the recommended entry profile is Communication at SCQF level 6 or equivalent.

Candidates who have achieved either the HNC or HND in Legal Services who are not yet employed as a paralegal would have some evidence towards the award and may be able to complete it with a view to securing a post as a paralegal in Scotland.         

 

The aim of the PDA in Family Law at SCQF Level 8 is to recognise your continuing professional development as a paralegal in this area, and to develop the relevant specialist, practical skills and knowledge you will need as a paralegal. The qualification is jointly awarded by SQA and the Scottish Paralegal Association.  You may already be working as a paralegal in this or another specialist area or you may be a full/part time student finishing an HNC or HND in Legal Services and may wish to gain employment in the near future as a paralegal.

Employment in this area of work is not confined to the private legal sector and often those working in voluntary organisations providing advice and assistance such as the Citizens Advice Bureau and those involved in Family Mediation or Social Work.

The Units in the PDA have been mapped against the Law Society of Scotland's competences in the legal domain of family law.

Learners would have the opportunity of progressing to other PDAs in the suite of paralegal awards.

Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority require to come forward for approval and should contact SQA's Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide (510 KB).