What is PSRAS

1
PSRA Steps To Success
Become police station reps and advise suspects
at the police station
This guide will provide you with an overview of
what the PSRAS involves, why you should do it,
what steps you need to take and a summary of all
of the above.
BY CATHERINE JORDAN
This guide will also be of interest to those who
wish to supervise candidates undertaking
the PSRAS.
ebooks by Datalaw
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This guide will provide you with an overview of
what the PSRAS involves, why you should do it,
what steps you need to take and a summary of all
of the above.
Who is this guide for? This guide is aimed at
anyone interested in a career in criminal law,
and specifically those who wish to become
police station reps and advise suspects at the
police station. The Police Station
Representatives Accreditation Scheme (PSRAS) can
be undertaken by those with little or no
previous experience of criminal law and
procedure. It is also extremely popular with
students, paralegals and trainee solicitors who
can complete the accreditation alongside their
studies or day jobs, enabling candidates to earn
money whilst gaining the experience required to
become fully accredited representatives. This
guide will also be of interest to those who wish
to supervise candidates undertaking the PSRAS.
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The PSRAS With Datalaw About Datalaw We are a
company absolutely determined to bring the most
flexible and price sensitive services to other
solicitors. Our company was started by two
solicitors who were tired of paying large
amounts for training. Since then Datalaw has
gone on to train over 26,000 users in legal CPD
and continue to bring legal training straight to
your computer or mobile phone, so you could
watch them whenever and wherever you were.
Why become a police station rep.? Pursuing a
career in law, and crime particularly is very
competitive. As a police station rep., you will
gain a great amount of knowledge in criminal
law and procedure. When attending on suspects
regularly, negotiating issues with police,
analysing evidence and advising on the law you
will quickly become more expert in criminal
matters and this will give you an edge over
other applicants when applying for a position,
or promotion, within a law firm.
What is the PSRAS? The PSRAS has been designed to
ensure potential reps. demonstrate the
necessary level of competence to undertake
police station work and that the advice provided
is of a sufficiently high standard.
The PSRAS must be undertaken by anyone who
wishes to give advice in the police station for
which payment is claimed from the Legal Aid
Agency (LAA).
The scheme will also ensure that your employer
or supervisor considers your training and
development needs and that they exercise
adequate supervision over you while you complete
the accreditation.
Police station reps. can work as flexibly as
they require. Whether working for one firm, or
freelancing, you can specify your own hours to
fit around study, work and family commitments.
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What Do You Need To Do?
Portfolio Part A Part A consists of 4 summaries
of police station cases, in which you have been
involved with both the giving of advice, and
attendance at an interview between the police
and the client, at a police station. Part A must
be completed in the following chronological
order

• Overview
• The PSRAS consists of the following stages
• Registration with an Assessment Organisation (AO)
• Written Exam (if applicable)
• Portfolio Part A
• Registration with LAA as a Probationary
  Representative
• Portfolio Part B
• Critical Incidents Test (CIT)

1. Two cases in which you have observed your
supervising solicitor provide advice to a client
in a police station.
Registration with an AO Registration with Datalaw
occurs when payment for the first stage of the
accreditation and the relevant administration
fee is made. On registration, you will receive a
unique candidate number and a copy of our
regulations, which provide advice and assistance
regarding the accreditation process.
2. Two cases in which you have provided advice to
a client in a police station whilst being
observed by your supervising solicitor.
The purpose of the Portfolio is to Enable us to
assess your competence to give advice in police
stations Encourage you to consider and reflect
upon your performance in the police
station Encourage your supervising solicitor to
review your competence and to take steps to
address any deficiencies
Written Exam The Written Exam is a two-hour open
book assessment designed to assess your
understanding of both the adviser's role in the
police station and the skills that are needed to
perform that role effectively. Your knowledge
and understanding of criminal law, evidence and
procedure will also be assessed.
Registration with the LAA as a probationary
representative If Part A of the Portfolio is
approved by the AO, you will be provided with
the appropriate form to enable you to register
as a probationary representative with the LAA,
which is necessary if you are to receive payment
from the Legal Aid Fund.
Exemption from the Written Exam is available to
those who have completed formal training courses
such as the Legal Practice Course or the Bar
Professional Training Course.
The Written Exam must be passed by those who are
not exempt prior to completion of Part A of the
Portfolio, and registration with the LAA.
The LAA registration form must be signed by your
supervising solicitor and submitted to the LAA
within three months of the date on which the AO
confirms acceptance of your Part A Portfolio.
"Datalaw's SRA Self Assessment makes this as
easy as 1-2-3" Charles Peter - Bekson Family Law
The LAA will then provide you with a probationary
personal identification number (PIN)
number. Following registration with the LAA, you
may complete the remaining assessments Part B
and the CIT, in any order.
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What do you need to do continued... Portfolio -
Part B Part B consists of 5 summaries of police
station cases in which you have provided advice
to a client in a police station unsupervised.
Once submitted, the cases from Parts A and B
will be marked for legal content e.g. what you
did at the police station, the quality of the
advice provided and how you interacted with your
client, the police etc.
Why do your accreditation with
Datalaw? Flexibility - Datalaw offer portfolio
submission deadlines every month and we have the
shortest turn around for results. We also offer
the widest range of assessment locations which
means you can complete your assessments at a
time and location convenient to you.
CIT The CIT takes the form of a role play
assessment under exam conditions and is designed
to assess your effectiveness in advising and
assisting clients at the police station.
Cost Datalaw offer the most cost effective
rates on the market
Support - Datalaw have been delivering the PSRAS
for over 15 years and our Accreditation advisors
are always on hand via telephone and email to
provide you with the support and assistance you
require. Training Datalaw have
The CIT comprises of several scenarios which
will be presented to you on an audio tape. Issues
will be posed to you, either verbally or in
terms of their behaviour, by police officers,
your client or third parties. You will be
required to respond to the scenario audibly. You
will be assessed on the appropriateness of the
responses provided, your oral communication and
assertiveness skills.
The CIT can only be attempted once you have been
issued with and are in possession of an LAA PIN
number.
Revolutionised Accreditation training by
developing comprehensive online training
materials, including recorded webinars and
sample assessments, which you can access on
demand using any internet connected device
Need Specialist Help? Our accreditations team are
on hand to help you with any PSRAS questions you
may have. To get in touch
Call 0151 236 2024 or Email accreditations_at_datala
w.org
Did you know we also provide on- demand access
to over 600 legal CPD courses for one monthly
fee. No contract. No upfront fees
For general enquiries please email
helpdek_at_datalaw.org
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In Summary
The PSRAS is a flexible way to enter the legal
profession and boost your career prospects
Depending on your level of formal legal training,
the PSRAS comprises either 2 or 3 assessments
Written Exam, Portfolio CIT Once you register
with the LAA you will be able to claim payment
for the work which you undertake whilst
completing your accreditation Datalaw deliver the
most cost effective, supportive and flexible
PSRAS on the market