Categories
The categories below are to celebrate excellence and recognise activity that has made an outstanding contribution to the furtherance of social mobility.
There are 12 award categories, 3 individual and 9 organisational, selected to focus on those areas where a real difference can be made by taking the right actions. Please click on the categories below for a description of the requirements for each category. Once you have completed an initial registration for your organisation, you can enter a submission for as many categories as you wish.
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
1. Champion of The Year
Tackling social mobility takes vision, commitment and leadership. This award celebrates a senior leader who has had the imagination to “think big”. By embedding and promoting initiatives that address social mobility across their organisation, to being a proud advocate for change, this is a leader making change happen by being a visible, pioneering voice to improve the life chances of those people who really need our help.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:
- Whether the activity is additional to their main role?
- A clear indication of how the entry matches the category
- A clear description of the problem that the activity was initiated to address
- A clear description of the activity that the individual undertook
- Details of stakeholders engaged
- Details of the outcomes and impact that have been seen, or are expected, in relation to advancing social mobility
2. Mentor of The Year
Who would be a mentor and take someone under their wing and help them navigate the challenges that come with building a career? From inspiring young people to dream big, to simply providing a calm word at the right time, this award celebrates those who provide wisdom, advice and support to help the development of those within their organisation, or without, from a less-advantaged background.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:
- Whether the activity is additional to their main role?
- A clear indication of how the entry matches the category
- A clear description of the problem that the activity was initiated to address
- A clear description of the activity that the individual undertook
- Details of stakeholders engaged
- Details of the outcomes and impact that have been seen, or are expected, in relation to advancing social mobility
3. Rising Star of The Year
Some people stand out, even if they are still early on in their career. They are natural leaders, who have a vision of the world they want to see and the drive and determination to turn their vision into reality. They make a positive impression on those around them, displaying exceptional qualities that inspire others to follow their lead. This award recognises those who are still in the early stages of their career (30 years or under) who have already made a significant contribution to advancing the cause of social mobility. These are the role models of the future making a difference right now.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:
- Whether the activity is additional to their main role?
- A clear indication of how the entry matches the category
- A clear description of the problem that the activity was initiated to address
- A clear description of the activity that the individual undertook
- Details of stakeholders engaged
- Details of the outcomes and impact that have been seen, or are expected, in relation to advancing social mobility
ORGANISATIONAL CATEGORIES
4. Organisation of The Year
Business is tough. Dealing with customers, stakeholders and staff can consume a lot of time and energy. Yet the best companies focus on their people, look to the future and realise that a commitment to social mobility is a business imperative that sets them apart. This award therefore celebrates those firms making an outstanding commitment to social mobility issues. From an open-minded recruitment process, through innovative development and progression initiatives, to broader community activities and overall advocacy of social mobility issues, this company makes it its business to make a tangible difference to the life chances of others.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:
- Whether the activity is in addition to the organisation’s main purpose?
- A clear indication of how the entry matches the category
- A clear description of the problem that the activity was initiated to address
- A clear description of the activity that was undertaken
- A description of the resources expended (be that time, money or in-kind)
- Details of stakeholders engaged
- Details of the outcomes and impact of the activity that have been seen, or are expected, in relation to advancing social mobility
- Public promotion of social mobility as a priority, or of the relevant activity, on the website
5. Innovation of The Year
Good ideas can change the world. The challenge of delivering social mobility requires organisations to think differently about the work they do with their colleagues, communities and wider society. But where there is challenge, there is also opportunity. Organisations who grasp this opportunity are those who realise that the old ways do not work. They find new ways to think, act and influence, inspiring others along the way. This award recognises an organisation that is leading the way in supporting social mobility in new and innovative ways.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:
- Whether the activity is in addition to the organisation’s main purpose?
- A clear indication of how the entry matches the category
- A clear description of the problem that the activity was initiated to address
- A clear description of the activity that was undertaken
- A description of the resources expended (be that time, money or in-kind)
- Details of stakeholders engaged
- Details of the outcomes and impact of the activity that have been seen, or are expected, in relation to advancing social mobility
- Public promotion of social mobility as a priority, or of the relevant activity, on the website
6. Leadership of The Year
How do we make sure that the promise of social mobility cannot be ignored? What we do beyond our organisation matters. We need to speak up for social mobility. That requires us to reach new audiences and meet new stakeholders. It requires us to make new friends, build new alliances and demonstrate the benefits of tackling social mobility in society. This award recognises those companies who have taken their commitment to social mobility to new places in unexpected ways, affecting systemic change along the way.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:
- Whether the activity is in addition to the organisation’s main purpose?
- A clear indication of how the entry matches the category
- A clear description of the problem that the activity was initiated to address
- A clear description of the activity that was undertaken
- A description of the resources expended (be that time, money or in-kind)
- Details of stakeholders engaged
- Details of the outcomes and impact of the activity that have been seen, or are expected, in relation to advancing social mobility
- Public promotion of social mobility as a priority, or of the relevant activity, on the website
7. Recruitment Programme of The Year
It is time to help others take their first step on the ladder. This award celebrates the organisations that are leading the way in recruitment practices and programmes that tackle social mobility issues head on. From sourcing prospective employees from unexpected places, to figuring out how best to support them as they begin their careers, these are the firms leading the way in recruitment that supports social mobility.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:
- Whether the activity is in addition to the organisation’s main purpose?
- A clear indication of how the entry matches the category
- A clear description of the problem that the activity was initiated to address
- A clear description of the activity that was undertaken
- A description of the resources expended (be that time, money or in-kind)
- Details of stakeholders engaged
- Details of the outcomes and impact of the activity that have been seen, or are expected, in relation to advancing social mobility
- Public promotion of social mobility as a priority, or of the relevant activity, on the website
8. Progression Programme of The Year
How high can you go? It is not just about recruitment, or the first step on the ladder. It is about helping those without the support networks to climb as high as their talent will take them. This award celebrates the organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to pushing talent onwards and upwards, to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:
- Whether the activity is in addition to the organisation’s main purpose?
- A clear indication of how the entry matches the category
- A clear description of the problem that the activity was initiated to address
- A clear description of the activity that was undertaken
- A description of the resources expended (be that time, money or in-kind)
- Details of stakeholders engaged
- Details of the outcomes and impact of the activity that have been seen, or are expected, in relation to advancing social mobility
- Public promotion of social mobility as a priority, or of the relevant activity, on the website
9. Community Programme of The Year
We cannot do this alone. Tackling social mobility is a team effort. This award celebrates the programmes organisations are running that make a tangible difference to our communities. These organisations are raising young people’s aspirations, developing their skills and business awareness, and are helping them understand their future education and employment opportunities – bridging the gap between the classroom and the boardroom. In short, these companies are helping young people to be more prepared for the world of work and more successful within it, through initiatives that are making a real difference to the employment and life chances of those that need the most help in our communities.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:
- Whether the activity is in addition to the organisation’s main purpose?
- A clear indication of how the entry matches the category
- A clear description of the problem that the activity was initiated to address
- A clear description of the activity that was undertaken
- A description of the resources expended (be that time, money or in-kind)
- Details of stakeholders engaged
- Details of the outcomes and impact of the activity that have been seen, or are expected, in relation to advancing social mobility
- Public promotion of social mobility as a priority, or of the relevant activity, on the website
10. School/College of The Year
Primary school is a vital starting ground for all children, but the education a child receives between 11 and 18 needs to set them up with the skills and qualifications they need to go out into the world.
A good secondary education can have a dramatic effect on how a child will do in later life, particularly for those who come from poorer backgrounds. The best schools embrace this responsibility and do what they can to raise everyone up, levelling the playing field for those from lower-income families. This award therefore celebrates the secondary schools and colleges that are making an outstanding commitment to social mobility issues. Whether through achieving academic success for their own pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, adopting programmes that equip their children with employability and life skills, developing innovative partnerships that support the wider community or through their overall advocacy of social mobility issues, the best in this category will be those that give disadvantaged children the best possible chance to succeed.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:
- A clear indication of how the entry matches the category
- A clear description of the problem that the activity was initiated to address
- A clear description of the activity that was undertaken
- A description of the resources expended (be that time, money or in-kind)
- Details of stakeholders engaged
- Details of the outcomes and impact of the activity that have been seen, or are expected, in relation to advancing social mobility
- Public promotion of social mobility as a priority, or of the relevant activity, on the website
11. University of The Year
A university is more than a seat of higher learning. It is often the first place where a person meets an array of people different from themselves and develops the confidence and the knowledge to pursue the career of their choosing. Graduates are less likely to be unemployed, more likely to be employed and likely to earn more than their non-graduate peers, so the role university can play in advancing social mobility is significant. This award therefore, celebrates those universities making an outstanding commitment to social mobility issues. Widening access will be just the start, with the best in this category providing additional support to disadvantaged students so they get better educational and career outcomes, developing partnerships with third-parties that benefit this cohort; or other innovative initiatives around course design or involving the faculty or employers that prepare this group for the future workplace. The best in this category will go beyond what they might be mandated to do and show a clear commitment to social mobility.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:
- A clear indication of how the entry matches the category
- A clear description of the problem that the activity was initiated to address
- A clear description of the activity that was undertaken
- A description of the resources expended (be that time, money or in-kind)
- Details of stakeholders engaged
- Details of the outcomes and impact of the activity that have been seen, or are expected, in relation to advancing social mobility
- Public promotion of social mobility as a priority, or of the relevant activity, on the website
12. Small Business of The Year
Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) make a huge contribution to the UK economy and have been described as its beating heart. They also have a big role to play in advancing social mobility, This category is for those businesses, who employ up to 250 employees, who take their role in promoting social mobility seriously. Whether it’s embedding social mobility in their recruitment process, raising aspirations in their local community or coming up with innovative ways to further the cause. The best of these companies don’t see their size as a reason not to be involved in social mobility, instead they see it as a reason to be involved.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:
- A clear indication of how the entry matches the category
- A clear description of the problem that the activity was initiated to address
- A clear description of the activity that was undertaken
- A description of the resources expended (be that time, money or in-kind)
- Details of stakeholders engaged
- Details of the outcomes and impact of the activity that have been seen, or are expected, in relation to advancing social mobility
- Public promotion of social mobility as a priority, or of the relevant activity, on the website
Awards Gala
8th October 2020
The UK Social Mobility Awards are the first national awards event dedicated to social mobility
Headline Sponsor
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