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Logo of the Armed Forces Covenant, a lion holding the UK flag, with a crown on the left. Text reads: 'Employer recognition scheme, bronze award'

As an employer organisation, the ICB has long recognised the benefits of employing current and ex-Armed Forces personnel to NHS roles. Armed Forces job applicants bring unique skills and experiences and an understanding of how to translate them to civilian roles, and often those skills translate extremely well to ICB and ICS business.

Our employment policies recognise this too; offering support and flexibility to colleagues that have ongoing commitments to the Armed Forces – for instance our special leave policy grants flexible and additional annual leave to members of our Reserve Forces for training exercises and military operations. 

Supporting our Armed Forces and their families is written into the NHS Constitution, and whilst we already live these values, in 2025 we reinforced our commitment by  signing the Armed Forces Covenant and by achieving the bronze award of the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme.

The Armed Forces Covenant is our pledge that together, we acknowledge and understand that those who serve (or who have served) in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) acknowledges employers that provide exceptional support to the Armed Forces community and Defence by going above and beyond their Covenant pledges.  The bronze award gives formal recognition to our commitment to being armed forces-friendly, supporting the armed forces and, as an employer, being open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans, cadet instructors, and military spouses/partners.

Our support goes beyond our role as an employer and the same support is given across the Integrated Care System. All our Hospital Trusts and Local Authorities have also signed the Covenant. A number of General Practices across SEL have achieved Veteran Friendly Practice accreditation.  This means that we can commit to making a difference across our partnership.

South East London Integrated Care System

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