NHS: Belonging in White Corridors

In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes moves with quiet purpose. His oxford shoes whisper against the floor as he exchanges pleasantries with colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a “hello there.”

James displays his credentials not merely as a security requirement but as a testament of acceptance. It sits against a well-maintained uniform that gives no indication of the challenging road that brought him here.

What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His demeanor gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first recruits of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative crafted intentionally for young people who have been through the care system.

“I found genuine support within the NHS structure,” James says, his voice steady but revealing subtle passion. His statement captures the core of a programme that seeks to reinvent how the enormous healthcare system approaches care leavers—those frequently marginalized young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.

The figures paint a stark picture. Care leavers often face greater psychological challenges, financial instability, shelter insecurities, and reduced scholarly attainment compared to their contemporaries. Beneath these clinical numbers are individual journeys of young people who have traversed a system that, despite good efforts, regularly misses the mark in providing the stable base that forms most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS England’s pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a significant change in organizational perspective. Fundamentally, it recognizes that the entire state and civil society should function as a “communal support system” for those who haven’t experienced the constancy of a typical domestic environment.

Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have blazed the trail, developing structures that rethink how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can create pathways to care leavers.

The Programme is meticulous in its approach, initiating with comprehensive audits of existing policies, creating management frameworks, and securing executive backing. It understands that successful integration requires more than noble aims—it demands tangible actions.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they’ve created a consistent support system with representatives who can provide assistance and counsel on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.

The conventional NHS recruitment process—formal and often daunting—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now highlight attitudinal traits rather than numerous requirements. Applications have been reimagined to address the specific obstacles care leavers might experience—from not having work-related contacts to facing barriers to internet access.

Possibly most crucially, the Programme understands that beginning employment can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the backup of family resources. Issues like commuting fees, proper ID, and bank accounts—considered standard by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The brilliance of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from clarifying salary details to helping with commuting costs until that critical first payday. Even apparently small matters like break times and office etiquette are deliberately addressed.

For James, whose career trajectory has “changed” his life, the Programme provided more than employment. It offered him a feeling of connection—that ineffable quality that grows when someone senses worth not despite their history but because their unique life experiences enhances the organization.

“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James observes, his gaze showing the modest fulfillment of someone who has secured his position. “It’s about a family of different jobs and roles, a team of people who genuinely care.”

The NHS Universal Family Programme exemplifies more than an job scheme. It functions as a powerful statement that systems can adapt to embrace those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only alter individual futures but enrich themselves through the distinct viewpoints that care leavers bring to the table.

As James moves through the hospital, his presence subtly proves that with the right help, care leavers can flourish in environments once deemed unattainable. The support that the NHS has extended through this Programme symbolizes not charity but recognition of overlooked talent and the profound truth that everyone deserves a family that supports their growth.