The Scottish Government announced that more than 250 paid NHS placements will be offered to parents across Scotland as part of its plan to eradicate child poverty.
Roles include porters, caterers, healthcare support workers, administration assistants and assistant technical officers, and will be available across 18 health boards.
Each placement lasts between six and 18 months and targets families facing the greatest risk of poverty.
During Challenge Poverty Week, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville visited the Kirklands headquarters of NHS Lanarkshire. She said, “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s top priority and we know that fair work in the NHS will offer a real route out of poverty for families.”
She added, “We are equipping parents with the skills and experience needed to have a long and successful career, with the opportunity for real progression, while strengthening the NHS workforce of the future.”
Somerville noted that the project scales existing successful models already delivered by health boards and extends the opportunity to hundreds more families across the country.
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At the same event, Mairead Doyle met officials. Doyle entered a similar employability programme with NHS Lanarkshire in 2024 and has since been promoted twice.
Doyle said, “The Parental Employability Programme gave me the confidence and support I needed to return to work after several years away from employment. Through the programme I secured a role with NHS Lanarkshire and have since progressed to a Band 4 position.”
She continued, “It has had a positive impact on both my career and my family, and I’m grateful for the opportunity it provided.”
Since its launch, the NHS Lanarkshire Demonstrator Programme has supported 136 parents and people experiencing long-term unemployment, with more than 77 per cent progressing into positive destinations, including direct NHS employment. The most recent programme has achieved almost 88 per cent positive destinations.
Jacqui Jones, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of HR at NHS Lanarkshire, said, “The NHS is one of the largest employers in Scotland and employment is one of the strongest drivers of good health by creating opportunities for local parents and families to gain skills, experience and jobs, we are helping people thrive, building a workforce that reflects our communities, and making a positive difference to the health of Lanarkshire.”
