Social Mobility Toolkit for the Professions - Equality and Human ...

introduction
background
in 2009, the panel on Fair access to the professions, led by
alan Milburn, published its Unleashing Aspiration report to
Government on social mobility and the professions. in its
aftermath, the Gateways to the professions collaborative
Forum sub-group 5, an advisory forum to the Department
for business, innovation and Skills (biS), recommended the
development of a Social Mobility toolkit for use by the
professions. 1
it was agreed that the toolkit would provide:
� background on, and an overview of, the social mobility
agenda and how it relates to the professions (page 13);
� a template questionnaire to allow employers and
professional bodies/regulators to monitor social mobility in
their organisations and professions (page 21);
� best practice guidelines and case studies to support and
inspire employers to put policies in place to enhance social
mobility (pages 27 and 35).
professions for Good, a coalition of a dozen leading professional
bodies representing more than a million chartered professionals
worldwide, and Spada, its research and communications
consultancy, were entrusted with delivery of the project.
the methodology outlined on the next page was followed, while
a Steering Group made up of leading and varied stakeholders
continues to ensure the successful development and launch
of the toolkit (see annex a for a full list of Steering Group
members).
1 panel on Fair access to the professions. 2009a. Unleashing Aspiration: The Final Report of
the Panel on Fair Access to the Professions.
8 Social Mobility toolkit For the proFeSSionS
What is a toolkit?
a toolkit is an assortment of resources brought
together with the aim of addressing a specific problem.
It can help us to:
� measure (devices to assess the current situation);
� construct (frameworks with which stakeholders can
engage);
� maintain (provisions to monitor the situation and
sustain progress).
What is social mobility?
“For any given level of skill and ambition, regardless of an
individual’s background, everyone should have an equal
chance of getting the job they want or reaching a higher
income bracket.” 2
Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers
Government Strategy for Social Mobility, 2011
Whom is it aimed at?
the toolkit is aimed at the professions, and contains
recommendations that will apply to professional firms and
employers, as well as professional bodies and regulators.
in larger employer organisations, human resources (hr)
professionals will be likely to take forward a number of
these recommendations. it is important that they are briefed
on the toolkit and understand the case for greater social
mobility and the relevant actions to take. individuals in public
affairs, government or external relations or corporate social
responsibility (cSr) departments should also be engaged.
in organisations without a dedicated hr function, the head of
the organisation should work with whoever is responsible for
the day-to-day management of the organisation.