DLA Piper highly commended at UK Social Mobility Awards 2021

DLA Piper has been highly commended in the Community Programme of the Year category at the UK Social Mobility Awards 2021 (SOMOs) at a live virtual event on the 14th October. The firm was recognised for its outreach programme, Head Start, and in particular how it scaled up its efforts to support and reach students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds engage in education and continue to build networks, confidence and aspirations while also dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SOMOs distinguish and encourage best practice and innovation promoting and increasing social mobility in organisations in the UK. They celebrate excellence and achievement, focusing on raising awareness of social mobility issues across the country to bring about substantive change.

DLA Piper’s Head Start programme in the UK aims to improve equality of opportunity by breaking down barriers faced by people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who aspire to enter and succeed in the legal profession. Students on Head Start are known as DLA Piper Scholars. Ultimately, the programme hopes to improve socioeconomic diversity in the legal profession and ensure the legal profession reflects and represents our communities.

The SOMOs commended the DLA Piper team for their efficient pivot to online delivery and commitment to understanding the needs of their Scholars and responding in a holistic way. This support included reliable access to internet, IT equipment, mental and physical wellbeing resources, the introduction of a peer mentoring scheme and guidance for students and their families on a range of issues, such as housing and employment, resulting from the pandemic.

DLA Piper was also listed in the SOMOs 2021 Honour Roll, which highlights organisations who have demonstrated a commitment to improving social mobility.