27 February 2008

Food for thought: honesty is the best policy

Jamie Oliver's social enterprise, Fifteen, has published a refreshingly candid 'warts-and-all' self-commissioned report on its performance. The report highlights that the apprenticeship scheme linked to Oliver's stylish restaurant, which trains young people from deprived backgrounds to work as chefs, has not been without its flaws.

Fifteen acknowledged that some students did not receive enough personal support to successfully 'graduate', and others were recruited on social eligibility rather than any real desire to be a chef, and therefore lacked the sticking power to succeed. The social enterprise, which aims to give its recruits a trade, a sense of purpose and a positive social network, has drawn up a new plan of action to target these shortcomings.

NPC believes other charities can learn from this up-front, honest approach. By critically evaluating their own work, charities can ensure that they are operating as efficiently and effectively as they can. Fifteen may have had some failings in the past, but by learning from its mistakes, it can now fix them and look to the future.

Jane Thomas & Emily Wethered

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