rigorous standards
The Entry Standard
The “Open Door” Badge
This standard verifies that your entry-level roles are fair, secure, and accessible to all. What we audit:
Financial Fairness: We verify Real Living Wage compliance and the elimination of unpaid trials.
Contract Security: We audit your contract types to ensure junior staff have guaranteed hours and protection.
Transparent Hiring: We check that your job descriptions don’t ask for impossible experience and that applicants aren’t ghosted.
The Development Standard
The “Growth” Badge
This standard verifies that your company doesn’t just hire juniors, but actively develops them into future leaders. What we audit:
Investment in Potential: We check for dedicated Learning & Development (L&D) budgets and protected study time during working hours.
Structured Progression: We audit your Personal Development Plans (PDPs) and ensure that salary bands and promotion criteria are transparent and achievable.
Supportive Management: We verify that junior staff receive guaranteed 1-to-1 face time, and that their line managers are properly trained to mentor early-career talent.
The Ecosystem Standard
The “Guardian” Badge
This standard verifies that your senior team is actively reaching back down the ladder to mentor and support the next generation within the wider community. What we audit:
Time & Commitment: We verify that your company provides its staff with dedicated, paid time off to mentor young people outside of the organisation.
Community Outreach: We check for active, formal partnerships with local schools, colleges, or youth charities, as well as the hosting of structured “insight days” or work experience.
Quality of Mentorship: We ensure your team uses a structured framework for mentoring and adheres to basic safeguarding principles when interacting with young talent.