Graduate Trainee - Accessibility Pathway

Our commitment to Inclusion and Diversity

The Health Foundation is an independent charity working to improve health and care across the UK. We’re on a mission to build a healthier society—and that starts with a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

The Accessibility Pathway is a dedicated route to encourage and support applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups who may face barriers to traditional recruitment. 

We’re committed to an inclusive hiring process, so during the application form you’ll have the opportunity to let us know about any adjustments or additional support you may require. A member of the team will contact you to ensure everything is put in place as you need. If you’re unsure if you need adjustments or want to discuss further options then please contact the team on healthfoundation@ambertrack.co.uk or call us on 01635 279806.

To ensure everyone has the opportunity to perform at their best, our reasonable adjustments are grouped into five key areas: neurodiversity, hearing, mobility, visual and speech. Here’s a few examples of how we provide support:

• Video interview adjustments: For candidates with speech impediments or slower processing (e.g. dyspraxia), we can extend recording times and allow unlimited preparation time. If needed, we can arrange a Teams call to record responses live, with more flexibility and manual scoring.
•  Visual impairments: The assessment is compatible with most screen readers but for blind or visually impaired candidates, we can offer an alternative version of the assessment with accessible formatting.
•  Extra time: Additional time can be provided across assessment stages for candidates who require it

To ensure transparency in the application process, you can view the full recruitment process and timelines here.

Here's how we're putting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into action

• An Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Lead in place, leading our EDI strategy and plan
• A new EDI learning and development programme across the organisation, to build a shared understanding and experience of EDI
• Improving the diversity of speakers across our events, podcasts, blog posts and more
• Senior leaders are committing to reciprocal mentoring, where they’re mentored by a colleague from a minoritised background, to improve race and culture competency in leadership

Our networks

At the Health Foundation we celebrate diversity and have several networks which foster inclusion and allyship. Our networks are groups of colleagues, often with a shared identity such as a protected characteristic, heritage and/or experience who come together and support each other, which supports diversity and belonging in the organisation.

Our networks host a range of events such as Black History Month panels, London Pride participation, Deaf Awareness and Mental Health Awareness Week activities, and talks on gender-inclusive healthcare. Communities also unite for cultural celebrations like our annual Iftar and South Asian Heritage Month’s Chai & Chaat.

Our networks include

• Black Diversity Group Network
• LGBTQIA+ Network
• Disability & Carers Network Group
• Mental Health Network

Let us know if you’d like to learn more about our networks.

About the role

As a Graduate Trainee, you’ll gain wide-ranging experience across the Health Foundation to obtain a thorough grounding in a respected think tank in the health and care charity sector. You’ll undertake project work as well as operational responsibilities.

During the 12-month appointment, you’ll join a cohort of eight Graduate Trainees where you’ll undertake two placements in the different directorates to gain an in-depth understanding of how each area works:

• Health
• Innovation and Improvement
• Policy
• Research and Analytics
• Communications
• Corporate Services

We’ll give you the training and support you need to get involved in the day-to-day delivery of our work and support longer term projects. We’ll also aim to support you with any specialist skills or areas that you want to develop.

The responsibilities undertaken by the Graduate Trainees are expected to increase as the programme progresses. By the end of the programme, Graduate Trainees should be able to take on a substantive role with the necessary skills to develop a career within the health and care sector, and wider charity and not for profit sectors.

Shortlisted candidates will have an opportunity to rank the placements in order of their preference in the final stage of the recruitment process. However please note that while we aim to place Graduate Trainees in their preferred directorates, it’s not always possible and there is no guarantee you’ll be allocated a particular placement.

Click the links to view the full job description and a description of each directorate.

Learning and development

Throughout the programme, Graduate Trainees will be offered numerous learning and development opportunities. These include:

• A mentor for the duration of the programme to provide a supportive, independent guide
• Various networking opportunities
• Full access to LinkedIn Learning
• Bespoke workshops – these include EDI, presentation skills, Writing skills, Mentoring and more!

About you

This is an entry-level role, and we’re keen to hear from candidates with a range of different life and educational experiences. We do not need you to have studied a particular subject or achieved a certain grade for you to apply. We’re just looking for applicants who demonstrate:

• Curiosity and proactivity for own development; able to learn from successes and mistakes
• Excellent team working skills
• Innovative thinking
• Ability to work flexibly, prioritise, organise and deliver work in order to achieve results 
• Strong verbal & numerical skills
• A passion and interest in the health and/or social care sectors
• A right to work in the UK at the time of appointment – we don’t provide visa sponsorship
• An ability to embed our values and behaviours and support our commitment to equity, diversity & inclusion. 

Appointment conditions

For details of contractual benefits and other information, please refer to the job description.

Benefits of working for us

Our benefits package reflects our commitment to EDI by supporting a wide range of individual needs, promoting workplace accessibility and enabling inclusive hiring. We also recognise that many people value non-financial benefits:

• Hybrid working policy and offer flexible working opportunities for all staff
• 30 days holiday a year
• Flexi annual leave, employees have the opportunity to buy up to 3 days of annual leave (in addition to the standard leave entitlement) and the option of selling up to 3 days of unused annual leave
• Generous sick pay scheme
• Income protection scheme following 26 weeks of continuous sickness, or disability
• 10 days of paid carers/dependents leave per annum
• Contributory pension scheme: the Foundation will match and double employee pension contributions up to a maximum employer contribution of 10%
• Death in service benefit of six times annual salary 
• 26 weeks full pay for new parents, covering maternity, paternity, and adoption, providing they meet specific eligibility requirements, to include having at least 26 weeks service with the Foundation
• Employee assistance programme
• Paid eye tests and up to £60 towards the cost of new glasses or lenses 
• Subsidised gym membership or £60 towards the cost of your choice of fitness benefit
• Access to Headspace 
• Season ticket loan 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Give as you earn scheme for charity donations
• Funding for job-related development plus corporate learning and development opportunities
• Travel insurance (both business and personal) for employees and family members (this is a taxable benefit)

FAQs

• What is the recruitment process? 
  • Please find a full overview of the recruitment timelines and process here
• Can I defer entry to the scheme?
  • We are unable to accept applications for deferred entry to the scheme. All posts will commence on 1 October 2025.
• Is the role remote?
  • As part of our hybrid policy, we do require our Graduate Trainees to work in person a minimum of two days a week.  Our office is based in London EC4Y 8AP.
• Is this a full time role?
  • This is a full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract starting on 1 October 2025. As with previous successful interns, there may be opportunities to transition into a permanent role upon completion of the internship.