NHS: A Universal Embrace

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 smart shoes move with deliberate precision as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a “good morning.”

James displays his credentials not merely as a security requirement but as a testament of belonging. It sits against a neatly presented outfit that gives no indication of the difficult path that brought him here.

What separates James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His presence gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first participants of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort crafted intentionally for young people who have spent time in care.

“I found genuine support within the NHS structure,” James explains, his voice steady but revealing subtle passion. His remark summarizes the core of a programme that seeks to transform how the vast healthcare system perceives care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.

The figures tell a troubling story. Care leavers often face greater psychological challenges, financial instability, accommodation difficulties, and diminished educational achievements compared to their peers. Underlying these clinical numbers are human stories of young people who have navigated a system that, despite genuine attempts, often falls short in providing the supportive foundation that shapes most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, established in January 2023 following NHS England’s pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, signifies a significant change in institutional thinking. At its core, it accepts that the complete state and civil society should function as a “universal family” for those who haven’t known the stability of a typical domestic environment.

Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have blazed the trail, creating systems that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its methodology, initiating with detailed evaluations of existing practices, creating management frameworks, and securing executive backing. It acknowledges that successful integration requires more than lofty goals—it demands practical measures.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James started his career, they’ve established a reliable information exchange with representatives who can provide assistance and counsel on personal welfare, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.

The conventional NHS recruitment process—rigid and possibly overwhelming—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now focus on personal qualities rather than long lists of credentials. Applications have been redesigned to consider the specific obstacles care leavers might encounter—from missing employment history to having limited internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme recognizes that beginning employment can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the backup of familial aid. Issues like travel expenses, personal documentation, and banking arrangements—assumed basic by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The beauty of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from explaining payslip deductions to providing transportation assistance until that crucial first payday. Even apparently small matters like coffee breaks and professional behavior are deliberately addressed.

For James, whose career trajectory has “changed” his life, the Programme offered more than a job. It gave him a sense of belonging—that intangible quality that emerges when someone senses worth not despite their past but because their particular journey enhances the organization.

“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James comments, his eyes reflecting the quiet pride of someone who has found his place. “It’s about a collective of different jobs and roles, a group of people who genuinely care.”

The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an employment initiative. It stands as a powerful statement that institutions can evolve to embrace those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but improve their services through the unique perspectives that care leavers contribute.

As James walks the corridors, his involvement quietly demonstrates that with the right help, care leavers can succeed in environments once thought inaccessible. The support that the NHS has offered through this Programme symbolizes not charity but recognition of overlooked talent and the fundamental reality that each individual warrants a family that supports their growth.