The Commission studied 14 'elite firms' (including five law practices) and found that, despite aims to widen social inclusion over the last decade, these firms define talent according to factors such as 'drive, resilience, strong communication skills and above all confidence and ‘polish’. These qualities tend to be related to 'middle class status and socialisation'. One law firm recruiter told the researchers: 'The academics [academic qualifications] are all very good these days, obviously, but . . . I’m very interested in people who’ve gone travelling, who’ve shown initiative, who’ve solved difficult situations in the past.' But travelling, for instance, may well be linked to coming from a wealthier background.

Notions of talent

Surveying the whole of the UK recruitment market, the authors conclude that 'these issues seem particularly acute in the UK’s largest and most prestigious law, accountancy and financial service firms'. Some firms have been engaged in trying to raise the aspirations of under priveliged children, but the report suggests that they need to change attitudes among the law firm recruiters too. The report says: 'Unless elite firms further interrogate their own notions of talent, it is likely that those who participate in access schemes will continue to face barriers to entry and progression.'

Missing cohort of ordinary people

Law and accountancy firms appear to be trying to reach out to the most disadvantaged in their aspiration-raising schemes but are missing out on a large group in the midde, suggests the report. The authors state: 'We suggest that marginal but still useful improvements to inclusion could be made if many more elite firms could also encourage suitably qualified students from ‘ordinary’ backgrounds to apply in significantly higher numbers and, critically, provide them with the support they need to succeed. At present, this group represents a ‘missing cohort’ of potential new professionals, who are arguably over-looked by existing initiatives to open access to the professions.' Source: Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission