STEP in the right direction

Jenny Pierce, Head of Wills, Probate & Mental Capacity team has recently been awarded the STEP (Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners) Advanced Certificate in Advising Vulnerable clients. This is a comprehensive programme for professionals advising those with issues of mental and physical incapacity.

Jenny and her Team already successfully advise many vulnerable clients. The course has enhanced the ability across the Team to advise professionally and confidently about powers of attorney, advance decisions, gifts , deathbed planning, Court of Protection matters , the obtaining of State support from the NHS, Social Services and DWP, challenging funding decisions and how to deal with safeguarding concerns.

Jenny says, 'Although it can be difficult studying alongside a busy working day the rewards of applying the expertise learnt on this programme, to the benefit of my clients and the team here at Wards Solicitors, makes all of the hard work worthwhile.'

Jenny was also recently appointed to the Governments Office of the Public Guardian's prestigious Panel of Professional Deputies alongside her fellow partner at Wards Solicitors, Rebecca Parkman.

The court chooses deputies from this panel when no one else is willing or able to act as deputy for a person who lacks mental capacity. Panel deputies support people who lack capacity by helping them make decisions about their finances. It was this appointment that also spurred Jenny into taking the Diploma.

Wards Solicitors have a specialist and growing Deputyship Department located at the central Bristol office.