Since the 1970s, regeneration at a community level has taken place in the UK. Many residents, and those with specific concerns, have come together to form action groups, to start projects, initiatives and enterprises aimed at regenerating the local environment and the economic and social aspects of life. It has taken place through- out the Country; not only in areas where traditional industries, such as steel, coalmining, shipbuilding and heavy manufacturing industries have fallen into decline, but also in rural areas where the shift from an agricultural economy has become more and more prominent in recent years.

The responsibilities for the regeneration of local communities have, in the past, usually been taken by Local Authorities through their various departments, such as Planning and Economic Development, Housing, Welfare and Social Services. Since the 1980s, however, there has been a shift in emphasis. Local Government has encouraged communities to play a more proactive role in regenerating themselves. This resulted in local resident groups and self-help groups undertaking project development focused on the needs of their particular area, be it geographical social or economic.

These groups have helped tremendously in the regeneration of otherwise run-down or derelict areas, and the social and economic ills that emanate from such areas, and to bring development in housing, local business, job creation, homelessness, youth work, work amongst the handicapped, community growth (in all its aspects), environmental improvement, etc.

Against this background of social change, Government led initiatives have been established and have grown in the regions, providing a variety of sources of funding. As these community led projects have grown as a result of their success so has the demand for training and self help opportunities that have given a grass roots approach to regeneration.

Only a Bachelor’s Degree is offered by the Faculty as follows:

Bachelor of Arts (Law) : BA Law (Hons) in Community Legal Development

This Degree is available to either Community full time/part time workers or Community Volunteers.

The Degree is currently only available in the area of Community Law but it is hoped that it will be available in the area of Community Management at a later date.

Bachelor’s Programme:

Legal:

Those involved in the running of such groups, or in project development generally, have found that it is not only time consuming but fraught with legal obstacles that constantly have to be overcome for the project to continue. Every aspect of life is concerned with legal matters to some degree or another and businesses (whether they are run for profit or for social concern) particularly so. This usually means taking legal advice which not only is time consuming and frustrating but, of course, usually very costly.

In order to be able to apply to register onto the Bachelor’s Programme, applicants must claim exemption from Part 1 of the Programme (see Study Methodology)

Exemption from Part 1 can be claimed by anyone who holds the following qualifications:

• The Advanced Award or the Fellowship Award in Paralegal Studies for the Voluntary and Community Sectors, run by The National Association of Licensed Paralegals

• Any other qualification which is deemed by SEU to be comparable.
  

Part 1: Entry onto the Programme must be made on the Application for Registration Form provided and the fees are shown on the separate Fee Form; these Forms explain the method of Registration.

If a proposed Applicant does not already possess one of the qualifications listed above, then they can, in order to satisfy Part 1, study through the University to obtain the Advanced Award in Paralegal Studies for the Voluntary and Community Sectors of The National Association of Licensed Paralegals, (NALP), the leading professional body for the qualification and career development of Paralegals in the UK. The University has had a close association with NALP for over ten years and their Advanced Award is the only Award available for the legal area of Community Development; It also confers upon the successful student Associate Membership of the Association as a fully qualified Community Paralegal and the post-nominal letters of ‘A.PLL’.

This course addresses many of the legal issues that community and voluntary workers, managers or administrators will come across on a regular basis and is specifically designed to provide learners the opportunity to acquire key legal skills that will greatly assist in the running, administration and growth of a sector project or organisation

The Advanced Award in Paralegal Studies for the Voluntary & Community Sectors consists of

The English Legal System:

The Law of Contract:
The Law of Tort:
Business Organisations and their Constitutions,
Charity Law and
Civil Litigation

Study will be by way of Distance Learning and assessment by way of Assignments for each Unit plus Achievement Tests. Full learning material is provided and there are no other expenses involved other than the course fee.

The average time taken by the average diligent student to pass the course is approximately 12 months.

The course fee for The Advanced Award in Paralegal Studies for the Voluntary & Community Sectors is £580 (in addition of the Degree Programme fee)

Successful completion of the course will result in becoming qualified as a Paralegal through the National Association of Licensed Paralegals, who are the Professional Body for the regulation qualification and career development of Paralegals, and the opportunity to use the post nominal letters A.PLL.

Part 2: On satisfying the requirements of Part 1 of the Programme, students will automatically proceed to Part 2 (see Study Methodology)