Article

Step into Health: the pledging process

A step-by-step guide to support for organisations pledging to Step into Health, repledging or updating contact details.

8 May 2026

The five pledges

Pledging to Step into Health involves making a public commitment to support the recruitment of members of the Armed Forces community into the NHS.

There are five pledges that we require organisations to commit to:

  1. Reviewing recruitment practices and removing any barriers to recruiting members of the Armed Forces community.
  2. Sharing dedicated Step into Health contact details to be included on the Step into Health pledge map.
  3. Building a relationship and actively engaging with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP).
  4. Promoting the programme, sharing messaging via our website and social media and using Step into Health branding to promote consistent messages about the programme.
  5. Engaging with and supporting Armed Forces community members throughout the application process and during any pre-employment opportunities. 
1

Expression of interest

To begin your pledge to Step into Health, register your interest by filling in an expression of interest form and a member of the team will contact you.

2

Introductory meeting

You will be invited to a call where the Step into Health team will give you an overview of the programme and the Armed Forces community. 

  • The team will explain the pledges and give you some inspiration on how they can be fulfilled and the additional support available. You are welcome to invite any representatives from your organisation to the call - it is particularly useful to include HR or recruitment representatives.

    Once you complete the introductory call you'll receive a copy of the Step into Health pledge certificate for your organisation to review.

    All services provided by the Step into Health programme are free of charge.

3

Pledge documentation

After your organisation makes a pledge to Step into Health, please confirm the representative(s) who attended the introductory call and provide the pledge certificate.

  • You will need to submit a signed and dated Step into Health pledge certificate. This provides confirmation of your organisation's pledge. This certificate will include your organisation's name and is usually signed by a director or equivalent in your organisation. 

Pledged already but have changes to make

  • If your organisation has merged, changed its name, or made a pledge some time ago, it is highly recommended to repledge to re-energise the programme as a priority for your organisation and to showcase your commitment among the Armed Forces community.

    The repledge process is almost exactly the same as the pledge process mentioned in steps one to three, but, instead of filling out the expression of interest form, please email the team at stepintohealth@nhsemployers.org.

  • If your organisation is already pledged and you have assumed responsibility for the Step into Health programme please email and update the team with your contact details and ensure that you are signed up to our Step into Health Network for additional support.

    We would also encourage you to attend an introductory call so that you can meet the team, get updated with the latest news, get an overview of the programme and ask any questions you may have.

    If you need any assistance, please get in touch with the Step into Health team.