Deadline: 26-Jun-2026
The UK Social Mobility Awards recognise organisations and individuals improving social mobility, inclusion, and equal opportunity across workplaces and institutions in the UK. With 14 award categories, the programme celebrates innovation, leadership, and impactful initiatives. It aims to embed social mobility as a core organisational priority.
Overview
The UK Social Mobility Awards (SOMOs) celebrate excellence in advancing social mobility across organisations and institutions in the United Kingdom.
The programme highlights efforts that create equal opportunities, improve access to careers, and promote inclusive workplace cultures.
Key Objectives of the Awards
The awards aim to:
- Recognise best practices in social mobility
- Promote inclusion, diversity, and equality
- Encourage organisations to prioritise social mobility
- Celebrate impactful leadership and innovation
- Raise awareness of social mobility as a key issue
What Is Social Mobility?
Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals to improve their socio-economic status through access to education, employment, and opportunities.
In this context, it includes:
- Equal access to jobs and career progression
- Removing barriers linked to background or disadvantage
- Supporting talent development and mentoring
- Creating inclusive workplace policies
Focus Areas
The awards recognise initiatives across:
- Social mobility advancement
- Workplace inclusion and diversity
- Leadership and organisational culture
- Mentoring and talent development
- Education and early career programmes
- Innovation in social mobility practices
Award Categories
The programme includes 14 categories divided into:
Individual Awards
- Champion of the Year
- Mentor of the Year
- Rising Star
Organisational Awards
- Organisation of the Year
- Innovation Award
- Leadership of the Year
- Social Mobility Network of the Year
- Pre-Recruitment Programme of the Year
These categories recognise both personal contributions and institutional impact.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- UK-based private sector organisations
- Public sector organisations
- Universities, schools, and colleges
Eligibility conditions:
- Must have at least 50 employees
- Must be based in the United Kingdom
Not eligible:
- Charities and social enterprises whose primary mission is social mobility
Selection and Judging Process
- Entries are reviewed by an expert panel
- Judges come from business, public, and non-profit sectors
- Evaluation focuses on measurable impact and innovation
- Emphasis is placed on real, meaningful outcomes
Why These Awards Matter
The awards play an important role in:
- Encouraging organisations to improve equality of opportunity
- Highlighting successful and scalable practices
- Promoting inclusive workplace cultures
- Driving long-term change in hiring and talent development
- Raising awareness of social mobility challenges
How to Apply / Entry Process
Step 1: Choose Category
Select the most relevant award category.
Step 2: Prepare Submission
Include:
- Description of initiative or contribution
- Evidence of impact and outcomes
- Supporting data or case studies
Step 3: Submit Entry
Complete the application through the official awards platform.
Step 4: Judging and Shortlisting
Applications are reviewed and shortlisted by the judging panel.
Step 5: Final Selection
Winners are selected based on impact, innovation, and effectiveness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting vague or unsupported claims
- Lack of measurable impact data
- Choosing the wrong category
- Ignoring diversity and inclusion outcomes
- Weak demonstration of long-term impact
Tips for a Strong Entry
- Provide clear, measurable results
- Highlight real impact on individuals or communities
- Showcase innovation and scalability
- Use data and case studies to support claims
- Align with social mobility goals and outcomes
FAQs
Who can apply for the UK Social Mobility Awards?
UK-based organisations and educational institutions with at least 50 employees.
Are individuals eligible to apply?
Yes, there are specific categories for individual contributions.
How many categories are there?
There are 14 categories covering both individuals and organisations.
Are charities eligible?
No, charities focused primarily on social mobility are not eligible.
What do judges look for?
Impact, innovation, and measurable improvements in social mobility.
What types of initiatives are recognised?
Workplace inclusion, mentoring, education programmes, and leadership efforts.
Why are these awards important?
They promote equal opportunity and encourage organisations to improve social mobility practices.
Conclusion
The UK Social Mobility Awards provide a powerful platform to recognise and promote efforts that improve access to opportunities and create inclusive workplaces. By celebrating impactful initiatives and leadership, the awards encourage organisations to embed social mobility into their core strategies and drive meaningful change across the UK.
For more information, visit Making The Leap.