We are always looking for ways to enhance the service we offer our clients and this includes our commitment to providing exceptional legal representation in family law as well as a range of supporting services.
As family law professionals, we understand the emotional complexities that often accompany matters like divorce, child arrangement orders, and domestic abuse. To ensure we meet the unique needs of each client, our team have been actively engaging in charity-based initiatives to allow us to support clients with the specific mental health and emotional needs of our clients during the most difficult times.
Read our stories about IDAS, neurodiversity and Lawyers Who Care below.
IDAS
Jessica Yates, a family solicitor based at our Pontefract branch has been raising awareness of the importance of being an IDAS champion.
IDAS is a charity which helps people cope with, and recover from, the traumatic effects of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
We have 10 IDAS champions in our private and legal aid family law teams across our 22 branches situated in Yorkshire.
What is an IDAS Champion?
IDAS Champions are volunteers who raise awareness about domestic abuse and sexual violence, signpost individuals to support services, challenge misconceptions, and use their networks to share resources.
Our Champions
Our champions have received training that covers understanding domestic abuse, signposting, challenging misconceptions, and effective communication. Our IDAS champions are therefore trained to equip them with essential skills to support survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
If you wish to speak with an IDAS champion today for expert family law advice including domestic abuse, divorce, cohabitation agreements and child arrangements orders, please call 0113 284 5000 or email newbusinessenquiries@isonharrison.co.uk and our new business team will arrange an appointment with an IDAS champion closest to you.
Neurodiversity Training
Lucy Pozman is a family solicitor at our Leeds Head Office branch and she has been spearheading the need for training and understanding around neurodiversity to support clients who may have disabilities or be neurodiverse.
Our legal aid family team are trained in supporting vulnerable court users in the justice system. This means people who communicate differently to the way society expects, perhaps because of disabilities, learning difficulties, or neurodiversity.
We tailor our work to suit our clients’ needs, rather than expecting you to adapt to us. Many of our clients have disabilities or are neurodiverse.
Our team recently received in-house training from Communicourt, an organisation providing specialist workers called intermediaries to support vulnerable court users. They use a variety of methods to help court users focus on and understand complex proceedings. They ensure that court users get appropriate breaks in hearings, and sufficient time to answer questions in court – and that those questions are clear and straightforward. Their training educated us on how to use these methods in our own practice, as well as the science behind cognitive processing.
Some of our team members have done multiple courses, delivered by autistic people, on understanding different aspects of autism. They have also completed training in Representing Parents with Learning Difficulties in Care Proceedings, and the Mental Capacity Act.
If you have concerns about understanding your Family Court proceedings, or if your case involves an aspect of disability or neurodiversity, we want to support you. Please call 0113 284 5000 or email newbusinessenquiries@isonharrison.co.uk and our new business team will arrange an appointment with one of our specialist professionals.
Lawyers Who Care
Siobhan Preston is an Associate at our Leeds Head Office branch. She has recently completed her training to be a mentor with Lawyers Who Care, an organisation that encourages care-experienced aspiring lawyers to become mentors and support others.
Within our family legal aid team at Ison Harrison, three of our solicitors have undertaken training to be mentors with the organisation Lawyers Who Care. This included Care Aware and trauma informed training which is vital to the role.
Lawyers Who Care is an organisation committed to breaking down barriers for care-experienced aspiring lawyers. They provide a mentorship scheme which aims to champion aspiring lawyers who have care experience, by providing them with a solicitor or member of the bar who can provide them with advice, guidance and opportunities. This might include creating their CV, preparation for interview, work placements and much more.
Lucy Pozman, Siobhan Preston and Molly Spawton from our head office at Duke House are all set to be paired with their mentees who they will support for a minimum period of 2 years, for at least 1 hour per month.
At Ison Harrison, we are very proud to be associated with Lawyers Who Care who are bringing positive change to the legal environment. It taps into two of our core values as a firm, being supportive and part of the community. One of the core aims of Lawyers Who Care is to provide a sense of community and belonging for care-experienced young people to feel seen in the profession for who they are. Lucy, Siobhan and Molly are passionate about supporting their mentees in this way.
If you or anyone you know is care experienced and interested in a career in law, then head to Lawyers Who Care at www.lawyerswhocare.org for more information. You can also contact one of our team at hello@isonharrison.co.uk
Ison Harrison – Yorkshire’s Leading Family Law Team
We have a commitment to ongoing training and providing extra support to all family clients with a kind and compassionate service. With 10 IDAS Champions, 3 Lawyers Who Care Mentors and 4 Children Panel Solicitors, we are here to help ensure all our clients get access to our leading family law team in Yorkshire. We are also proud to have solicitors specially trained in supporting vulnerable court users.
For help and support with any family law matter, please call us on 0113 284 5000 or email newbusinessenquiries@isonharrison.co.uk. Alternatively, please take a look at our free legal clinics which we run weekly where you can pop in and see us for free initial advice.
