NHS Finance Insights placement scheme – Midlands

About the Scheme:

The NHS Finance Insights placement scheme offers paid work experience in NHS organisations throughout England to individuals aged 18 and above, in full-time education, who do not plan to attend university and come from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

It provides a 12-month experience in an entry-level (band 2) finance role, allowing candidates to develop new skills and gain on-the-job work experience. Upon completion of the placement, each candidate should feel well-prepared to apply for NHS opportunities, including apprenticeships or other entry-level roles, and be confident in transitioning to professional working environments.

The scheme runs from September each year.

Entry requirements:

The initiative aims to support individuals aged 18+ in full-time education from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and applicants interested must meet the following criteria:

• Attending state school or college, or have done within the past two years, minimum Grade C / 4 in GCSE Maths is desirable but not essential, and
• Not planning on attending university, and
• The occupation of your main household earner is categorised as a lower socio-economic background*, or
• Have been eligible for free school meals** at any point in the previous six years

*Parental occupation classification is a national standard, and the Social Mobility Work’s toolkit (found here) provides details on the categorisations. 

**Free School Meals are a statutory benefit available to school-aged children from families who receive other qualifying benefits and who have been through the relevant registration process. It does not include those who receive meals at school through other means e.g., boarding school.

Are you interested in applying?

If you are interested and eligible to apply for the scheme then you can do so via the below link. Before completing the application form it is recommended that you read through the application guidelines to ensure you submit the best application possible.

Apply here: 2026 cohort application form.

Applications will close at 5pm on 8th May, 2026.

The Scheme in the Midlands:

This scheme operates across all 7 NHS regions in England, including the Midlands.

Three trainees have started their placement in September 2025 across the areas of Birmingham and Solihull, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Host organisations for the 2026-27 cohort will be announced soon.

If you wish to learn more about the scheme in the Midlands, please contact becky.jenvey@hfma.org.uk.