Moving on up
Social Mobility: Why Private Clinics Have a Role to Play
This morning, I caught an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme with Sarah Atkinson, Chief Executive of the Social Mobility Foundation. She spoke about how larger companies are beginning to focus on collecting data around the socioeconomic backgrounds of their staff, and why that’s important for driving social mobility in the workplace. While this makes sense for big businesses, it got me thinking: what about smaller organisations, like the private physiotherapy clinics and other private practices in the UK that I work with?
What is Social Mobility?
Social mobility is about breaking down barriers that can hold people back because of where they’re from or their family background. If a person’s chances in life—whether in education, job prospects like physiotherapy jobs, or career advancement—are still determined by things like their parents' income, where they grew up, or the school they attended, it’s a sign that we have work to do.
The Role of Employers in Social Mobility
We often think about social mobility in relation to schools or universities, but employers—especially those hiring in healthcare jobs—play a massive role too. It’s not just about who you hire—it’s also about how you create a supportive environment where people from all walks of life can thrive.
Sarah Atkinson’s point about large companies collecting data is a good one. For them, it’s about having enough employees to see patterns and act on that information. But for smaller businesses, especially in physiotherapy clinics in the UK, the approach might look a little different.
Why Should Small Clinics Care?
Even if your clinic only has a few employees, thinking about social mobility can help you build a more diverse, engaged, and loyal team. People from different backgrounds bring fresh perspectives and experiences, which can make your clinic a more dynamic place to work. Plus, patients from all kinds of backgrounds visit clinics every day. Having a team that reflects that diversity can help make your services more accessible and welcoming.
What Can You Do?
While you may not have the capacity for large-scale data collection, there are still plenty of ways small clinics can promote social mobility:
1. Recruit with Openness: When hiring physiotherapists, focus on the skills and potential of candidates, rather than just their formal qualifications. Consider applicants from different educational or career paths who may have the hands-on experience or passion that makes them a perfect fit for physiotherapy jobs in your clinic.
2. Offer Mentorship: Many people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, don’t have access to informal networks that help others get ahead in their careers. Offering mentorship or training to new staff in healthcare jobs can be a great way to help them grow in their role.
3. Be Transparent with Progression: Make sure everyone in your team knows how they can develop and progress within the clinic. Clear pathways for career advancement, rather than relying on who has the ‘right connections,’ can help level the playing field in physiotherapy jobs.
4. Encourage Flexibility: For some, rigid work hours or expectations about presenteeism can make balancing work and personal life tricky, especially if they have caring responsibilities. Offering flexible work options or being mindful of these challenges can make a real difference when hiring physiotherapists or other healthcare staff.
Final Thoughts
Social mobility isn’t just something for big corporations to think about—it matters for businesses of all sizes, including small private clinics in the UK. By creating a fairer and more inclusive environment, we can help break down barriers for talented individuals, no matter where they started in life. And in doing so, we build stronger, more resilient teams that better serve our diverse communities.