Solicitor Graduate Apprentice
London
Clara Jenkins is a Solicitor Graduate Apprentice in our Education and Children’s Rights team, based in London.
Professional Biography
Clara graduated with a 2:1 in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford in 2021 and is currently pursuing her Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) part-time through Damar Training. Whilst at University, Clara volunteered with Slipstream Education, which is a UK-wide mentorship scheme that helps students from underrepresented backgrounds make applications to top Universities. She also volunteered for Turl Street Homeless Action, a student-run charity, where she worked night shifts to supply food and hot drinks to the homeless community in Oxford, whilst providing support with housing where needed.
Clara joined Simpson Millar as a Paralegal in August 2022 and transitioned to her current role as a Solicitor Graduate Apprentice in January 2024. Before joining Simpson Millar, Clara worked as a Volunteer Paralegal for The National Community Law Project. This is an initiative which helps improve access to justice for people with low income. During this time, Clara encountered Education Law first-hand and was inspired to continue to pursue this further at Simpson Millar to make a difference in the lives of families and children.
Clara's work primarily focuses on challenging unlawful practices by Local Authorities that fail to support children and young people. Her casework includes judicial review work addressing discriminatory treatment within educational settings, advocating for children who are unlawfully excluded from school or those with special educational needs deprived of necessary provisions and support. Clara also works on community care judicial reviews under the Children Act 1989, addressing the rights of homeless young people and care leavers.
Beyond her judicial review work, she represents clients in appeals to the First-Tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability), ensuring their legal rights are upheld in complex legal and educational matters, often for children out of education . Clara's day-to-day responsibilities involve managing her own caseload, representing clients in tribunal appeals, supporting judicial review preparations, drafting essential legal documents, liaising with experts, and negotiating with local authorities to protect her clients' rights.
As a Paralegal, Clara assisted with the following judicial reviews:
Clara also successfully advocated in a First-Tier Tribunal appeal for a child who was initially out of formal education, receiving only limited home tuition without any therapeutic support. She secured a comprehensive Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS) package, which included 30 hours per week of 1:1 educational provision, complemented by an additional 30 hours of social care support weekly provided by two carers. She also arranged for the child to receive 81 hours of essential annual support, including Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, and Physiotherapy, significantly improving the child's quality of life and educational experience.
"I would like to thank Simpson Millar for all their help and advice, particularly Clara Jenkins who worked with me on a number of matters. She was kind, understanding and supportive as well as knowledgeable and efficient. She always put me at ease and gave excellent advice. She has helped me immensely and my experiences have been very positive. I would highly recommend this wonderful firm, and would happily use them again if the need should arise."
Karen
Client
"Clara J has been instrumental in gaining my daughter an education that fits her needs. Our Local Authority did not provide alternative provision or ensure my daughters EHCP was enforced and Clara has been so helpful in explaining the situation to me in an accessible way, provided options and taken robust action when needed."
Sarah
Client
Clara's interest in law began during her time with The National Community Law Project, where she first engaged with Education Law. Driven by a commitment to improve access to justice, especially for those with limited resources, Clara continues to apply her knowledge and skills to make a significant difference in the lives of her clients. Her goal is to provide comprehensive legal support that not only addresses immediate legal needs but also fosters a longer-term positive impact on her clients' lives.
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