Flanagan Lawrence is a socially responsible organisation whose method of operation is based on ethical principles.

We care about the way we do business and we’re proud that we do it responsibly, professionally and ethically. We have, therefore, developed a CSR strategy that reflects our commitment to working together with our staff, our clients and the community around us to ensure that the impact we make is a positive one.

Employees

Flanagan Lawrence has established a series of well considered company policies which are available to all our staff on Sharepoint.

Policies include Corporate Equality, Anti-Bribery and Corruption, Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking, CPD Strategy, Environmental, Sustainability, Health & Safety, Modelshop H&S and Security.

Our employment, equal opportunities and diversity policies are based on UK and EU legal requirements and as established by the Royal Institute of British Architects. We are proud to be a Corporate Member of the RIBA.

We are committed to the Next Generation and work hard to support students as they progress through their education to achieve qualification.

We want all our staff to be happy, challenged and fulfilled in their roles so we invest in their development through training and mentoring to enable all individuals to achieve their full potential.

We are committed to creating a working environment where our staff can flourish and achieve their personal and professional goals.

We know that it’s our people who make our business successful and we believe that they should be rewarded accordingly and share in its progress and success. In recognition of this we pay competitive market salaries and offer a range of benefits and social events that demonstrate our commitment to staff well-being both professionally and personally and that contribute to an enjoyable, safe and supportive working environment.

Clients

Flanagan Lawrence is committed to implementing its ethical and social responsibility by working with clients who hold the same beliefs and values as we do. In our work, we seek to gain the support of our clients to address key issues:

• To develop architecture with wider urban aims which considers the well being of the wider community.

• To develop an inclusive approach to architecture which considers the needs of all citizens as equal stakeholders.

• To promote and encourage our clients to support the production of a sustainable approach to architecture.

We value our clients and are proud of the longstanding relationships which have been built based on professionalism, honesty and trust. We regularly seek, monitor and review client feedback and we have procedures in place to ensure a rapid and responsive resolution should issues about our services be raised.

Suppliers

Flanagan Lawrence is committed to working with suppliers who promote high ethical standards.

We recognise the importance of our relationship with our suppliers and work with them to help achieve our policy aspirations.

We deal with our suppliers honestly and fairly, aiming to achieve payment for goods and services within agreed terms. We seek to ensure that our suppliers follow responsible working practices.

6.4.1 Implementation

Flanagan Lawrence demonstrates its corporate and social responsibility through a range of actions.

• Support for staff to accommodate differing lifestyle requirements

• Support for office-based training.

• Support for staff to undertake charity work relevant to the profession.

• Support for student architects.

• Opportunities for work experience by local and other school children.

We understand that people have different pressures and priorities in their lives and we aim to accommodate those differing requirements by adopting part time and flexible working arrangements where we can.

We are committed to the Next Generation and work hard to support students as they progress through their education and run a sponsorship scheme for Part 2 students where we support their education and give them a guaranteed job on completion of their University career.

We run a cpd programme and targeted training programmes which aim to improve knowledge and experience within the business.

We know that establishing a workplace where people feel motivated, supported and connected helps us to attract and retain the best people.

6.4.2 Supporting Local Community Participation & Engagement

Development projects can have a very positive impact on the local community, engendering interest and generating short and long term benefits to the wider local community.

As a practice we believe that good education opens up possibilities for children regardless of their background. We offer work experience to local schools to give pupils an insight into what a career in architecture could be like, and we have actively contributed to the Open City Architecture in Schools programme, spending time with children at Cubitt Town Junior School to help inspire them about London’s built environment and what might be possible for them in the future.

Our involvement with this initiative comes from a belief that Developments should provide the widest possible economic opportunity to people living in the surrounding areas.

It includes taking part in workshops which are designed to throw the spotlight on great design and to get children and their teachers thinking about the transformative power of architecture, planning and urban design by broadening the awareness and understanding of the built environment by exploring exemplary examples of architecture, engineering and design.

We also support older school children as they reach a key point of decision regarding their futures, by offering a work experience programme to A level students to give them a view of the life of an architect, and we support students by offering bursaries to Part 2 students who have undertaken their Part 1 work experience with us.

A number of our staff are involved with schools of architecture around the UK, offering their practical experience and skills to the next generation.

Work Experience Placements

Since the inception of our practice Flanagan Lawrence has offered work experience placements, as we know they offer invaluable opportunities for young people to learn about working life after education, and help guide them in their choice of career. The experience normally involves joining our offices in Central London for a few days to shadow projects, and get exposure to various stages of design, project management, team work and more generally working life as a consultant in a professional environment.

Where possible the placement also includes site visits and meeting with Clients and other consultants. 

Whilst the nature our work makes ‘hands on’ experience difficult the placements can be of great benefit and gives the candidates a useful  insight into our work, as well as what is expected of them, when setting out on their progression through their ‘working life’.

Charity Events & Local Charities

Over the years Flanagan Lawrence have supported a number of charities mainly relating to the construction industry but also the local community. In past years staff members have taken part in the London Marathon raising money for our neighbour the Westbourne Park Family Centre, a local charity targeting local disadvantaged groups, as well as national fund raising efforts as part of the London to Brighton and Ride 100 cycles.

By common agreement, our Christmas Party “Secret Santa” has been changed to a donation to a charity.

Educational Workshops / Visits

The Team at Flanagan Lawrence has volunteered time and participated in the ‘Architecture in Schools’ initiative. This is an Open City creative learning programme for primary school pupils in years 4, 5 and 6.

The programme aims to:

• train teachers on how architecture can be used to teach a variety of subjects ranging from Art to Geography and Science whilst improving children’s skills in drawing, model-making, communication and problem solving

• inspire the next generation of city-shapers and to help children understand how architecture informs the world around us.

Flanagan Lawrence were assigned the Lansbury Lawrence school, which is school located in a fairly deprived area of Tower Hamlets. The brief for the project was that of a 'Circular City' surrounding the '7 R's:

• Rethink

• Redesign

• Repurpose

• Repair

• Remanufacture

• Recycle

• Recover

A series of workshops were set up around this brief, starting with aiding the pupils on how to map their neighbourhood in relation to the above.

6.4.3 Additional Social Value Offering

Our increasing involvement with Public Sector Housing projects sees an increasing involvement with the local community in the area of the development.

As well as involvement with local educational establishments, we volunteer time to other aspects of Local Community interest.