Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust achieved highly commended recognition in the HEFMA-sponsored Public Engagement category at the 2020 NHS Sustainability Day Awards.
The Live and Work NHS Apprenticeship Programme is an award-winning partnership programme developed between Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) and West Midlands youth homelessness charity St Basils in response to feedback from young people participating in another project run by the charity. It was clear the young people wanted to work, but needed additional support to achieve their aims without feeling the pressure of high rents and more.
The programme provides apprenticeship opportunities and living accommodation within the hospital to young people (aged 16 - 25) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness within the West Midlands. It was designed to break down barriers and build bridges with young people within the local community, enabling them to benefit from the additional support the package offers.
This is a unique programme offering safe and affordable accommodation, access to professional development and support into a career for vulnerable young people. It enables them to live 'benefit free'; the funding and support structure make it possible for young people to live and work without recourse to welfare benefits during their 12 or 15 month apprenticeship.
On a practical level, young people are housed in the former nurse quarters close to Sandwell General Hospital and work on site. The proximity of the accommodation means they can walk to work. If undertaking the apprenticeship programme at City Hospital, they can take advantage of the free shuttle bus to travel to work. Apprentices receive food vouchers and can expect a permanent job on completion of the apprenticeship programme.
Opening up employment and training opportunities for young people is of particular benefit to the Trust, given the ageing population of the NHS workforce and concerns around certain skill shortages.
With Brexit creating uncertainty over the recruitment of health professionals from abroad, ensuring a flow of new talent into the NHS is ever more important. This programme has been very instrumental in attracting young people into the Trust and developing their skills.
Widening the talent pool of people employed within SWB links to the 'equality and diversity' and ‘widening participation’ agendas of the government. SWB, in collaboration with St Basils, has developed inclusive and accessible apprenticeship opportunities for those further away, most especially the vulnerable young.
The programme has helped to reduce training and recruitment costs and improve staff retention within the Trust by offering successful apprentices permanent roles and supporting them with additional training.
Some cost-benefit analysis estimates, which also consider the social costs and benefits, conducted in the UK (McIntosh, 2007) and the US (Reed et al., 2012) demonstrate that in these two countries the social benefits of apprenticeships exceed the costs. Evaluation of this programme has found it to be generating £14 in social value for every £1 of investment.
Tackling wider issues
In 2013 a report by Sandwell Council identified that 15.6% (1,1,46) of young people in the region were not in education, employment or training.
This collaboration between SWB and St Basils, together with the involvement of other external organisations, such as the Department for Work and Pension, local councils, schools, colleges and other NHS Trusts has helped address many barriers faced by these young people, for example, behavioural, educational, social and health-related.
The 2010 Marmot Review, ‘Fair Society, Healthy Lives’, states: “To reduce the steepness of the social gradient in health, actions must be universal, but with a scale and intensity that is proportionate to the level of disadvantage.” The apprentices on the programme are supported and encouraged to access medical and dental health services, to prevent them from suffering significant physical and mental health problems that may result in hospital intervention.
Numerous workshops have been conducted at different local job centres, schools and other organisations. For example, the team secured an exhibition stand at the Walsall Jobs Expo - Jobs and Skills Roadshow held at the Walsall Arena in January 2020 and enlightened the public about the Live and Work NHS Apprenticeship Programme.
In 2015, HRH Prince William, who is an Ambassador for St Basils, visited the Apprentice House. Numerous local councils and external organisations within West Midlands have also met with the team to work collaboratively together or seek information on how to replicate the programme.
