News

We have achieved the National Equality Standard for the second time!

National Equality Standard (NES) accreditation received for a second time!

04/10/2024

Shaw Trust has received the National Equality Standard (NES) accreditation for a second timeThe assessment bar has been raised since our initial assessment, so we’re thrilled to have achieved an even better outcome with 32 competencies rated green and three amber. This is an improvement on the 29 green and six amber given in 2021. Shaw Trust was scored highest amongst the peer organisations assessed and was rated five out of five in organisational diversity and inclusion maturity.  NES assessors

New Somerset school offers a different kind of learning environment for children who need extra support

05/09/2024

We are pleased to announce the opening of our innovative new Therapeutic Education provision in Somerset, offering places for children and young people with additional and SEND needs.  This initiative is part of a Strategic Partnership between Shaw Trust, Somerset Council, and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. The partnership won the Innovation in Partnerships’ category at Municipal Journal Award (MJ) Award in 2023 for its work. The MJ awards is the biggest National annual awards ceremony for local government. https://youtu.be/a-F7KulnEh8Download transcriptThe service will

Senior Leadership growth period at Shaw Trust

03/09/2024

Today we are delighted to announce exciting changes within our Senior Leadership Team. As part of an existing and robust three-year growth plan, we have created and appointed the roles of Chief Impact Officer and Chief Strategy and Risk Officer.Bringing expertise from a career in the charity, public and private sectors, we are delighted that Julie Leonard will be joining us from mid-September, in the role of CIO.Julie said: “This is a unique opportunity to multiply the public benefit already

Shaw Trust run Children’s home featured on BBC News Online

21/08/2024

One of our children’s home which has helped Somerset Council save £2m in its first year of opening has been featured in a BBC News Online piece. Read the full article here. BBC Political Correspondent Alex Forsyth visited the Somerset-based home on Tuesday 6 August, as part of a piece on Local Authority finances. The piece explored how partnerships like Homes and Horizons can help councils save money whilst delivering a better standard of care for children and young people.

Chris Luck speaking.

The importance of partnerships not profiteering

20/08/2024

Chris Luck our CEO has been outlining the importance of partnerships not profiteering in a recent MJ article. Chris talks about how strategic partnerships allow for holistic ‘Child to Career’ thinking. These partnerships create real value, where reasonable profit is enough, and scarce resource is reinvested rather than off shored. Read the full article here. Chris also delivered a Keynote speech on June 21st 2024 at the Children’s Commissioners’ Conference. The theme of the speech was ‘Time for Change: A New

Disability Power 100 event

Shaw Trust announces the shortlist for the Disability Power 100 2024

17/05/2024

This year the Disability Power 100 received 786 nominations for individuals, organisations and campaigns that have influenced, innovated and delivered impact in for disabled people in the UK over the last 12 to 18 months. 367 high quality, qualified nominees have now been shortlisted.Now in its ninth year, Shaw Trust’s annual Disability Power 100 celebrates and recognises ambition and achievements. It provides much needed encouragement to the leaders of tomorrow. Those shortlisted are trailblazers and role models who demand the

Woman sat at a desk using a laptop

Prioritising Accessibility: Building a Better Website from the Start 

10/05/2024

In the past, accessibility often wasn’t considered until after websites were already built. They would then be adjusted to meet accessibility standards, leading to extra costs and less-than-ideal results. Retrofitting accessibility features onto existing websites often caused compromises and inefficiencies.On the contrary, when accessibility is prioritised from the beginning of website development, the benefits are numerous. By integrating accessibility principles into the foundational structure of a website, developers can create a digital space that is inclusive for all users, including

Laptop on a table with Ask SARA on screen

Living Made Easy support Global Accessibility Awareness Day 

10/05/2024

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is an annual event aimed to promote discussion and awareness surrounding digital access and inclusion. Digital accessibility is not as widely considered as it should be, and without it we exclude a significant portion of the population from accessing essential services and information. Being digitally accessible enables us to progress towards a more inclusive society. AskSARA is Living Made Easy’s online self-assessment tool, offering rapid access to impartial information and advice based on individual need, with

Shaw Trust in partnership with AGCAS

‘The disability employment gap for graduates’ report launches

01/05/2024

Today, Shaw Trust launches our latest report, ‘The disability employment gap for graduates’.We wanted to better understand the employment gap between disabled graduates and their non-disabled peers, and in particular the larger gap for graduates with sight loss, mobility impairments, autism, and two or more co-occurring conditions.This qualitative study brings the voices of disabled graduates to the forefront.We set out to understand how students’ career expectations are affected by their disability, how and why students choose to share information about