A magic circle firm has been honoured for its ‘groundbreaking’ initiative to support ex-offenders back into the workplace.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer won a Lord Mayor’s Dragon Award last night for its Ready for Work programme, which offers work placements to ‘disadvantaged’ groups to gain employment. These groups include those with criminal convictions, at risk of homelessness, in care or long-term unemployment.

Partner Philip Richards (pictured) said the legal profession was often seen as an ‘elite, privileged environment’ that people from less advantaged groups found difficult to access.

‘Millions of capable people are screened from the job market each year because employers fear they may be a risk to their business,’ Richards said.

‘Often candidates are not even given the chance to explain the background to their conviction or demonstrate their capability to do the job.

‘When ex-offenders are willing to work and have the relevant skills to offer, businesses need to take the lead in creating opportunities.’

Freshfields offers two-week placements with the possibility of extending it by a further two weeks.

The firms said individuals are considered on a case-by-case basis but it is unable to consider some offences due to the nature of its work.

Participants are placed in a ‘range of departments across the firm’, from business services to its practice groups.

Former offender 'Sam' said: ‘I never thought I’d end up working at one of the biggest law firms in the world.

‘They are willing to support people with convictions and spent convictions, and give them a chance. That’s what makes them different from everyone else.’

Last year Freshfields became the first law firm to sign up to charity Business in the Community’s Ban the Box campaign, removing the tick-box that asks about convictions on application forms.

The firm said its removal did not remove disclosure altogether but moved it ‘further down’ the recruitment process and was a 'commonsense’ approach to recruiting.

The Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards, which was established in 1987, recognises community engagement programmes across the capital.