NHS: A Universal Embrace

Within the bustling halls of an NHS hospital in Birmingham, 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 universal currency of a “good morning.”

James carries his identification not merely as institutional identification but as a declaration of inclusion. It sits against a neatly presented outfit that gives no indication of the tumultuous journey that led him to this place.

What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His presence discloses nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort created purposefully for young people who have been through the care system.

“It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me,” James says, his voice measured but tinged with emotion. His statement captures the core of a programme that seeks to reinvent how the vast healthcare system views care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.

The statistics reveal a challenging reality. Care leavers often face higher rates of mental health issues, money troubles, housing precarity, 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, often falls short in offering the stable base that molds most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, established in January 2023 following NHS England’s commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a profound shift in organizational perspective. At its heart, it accepts that the whole state and civil society should function as a “collective parent” for those who have missed out on the stability of a traditional family setting.

Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have blazed the trail, establishing frameworks that rethink how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its approach, starting from thorough assessments of existing practices, creating oversight mechanisms, and obtaining senior buy-in. It acknowledges that meaningful participation requires more than lofty goals—it demands tangible actions.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they’ve established a regular internal communication network with representatives who can deliver support, advice, and guidance on personal welfare, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.

The conventional NHS recruitment process—formal and possibly overwhelming—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now focus on personal qualities rather than long lists of credentials. Applications have been reimagined to address the particular difficulties care leavers might encounter—from not having work-related contacts to struggling with internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme acknowledges that beginning employment can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the safety net of parental assistance. Issues like commuting fees, personal documentation, and bank accounts—assumed basic by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The beauty of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from explaining payslip deductions to providing transportation assistance until that critical first wage disbursement. Even seemingly minor aspects like break times and office etiquette are carefully explained.

For James, whose career trajectory has “changed” his life, the Programme delivered more than employment. It offered him a feeling of connection—that elusive quality that emerges when someone is appreciated not despite their history but because their distinct perspective enhances the organization.

“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James observes, his gaze showing the quiet pride of someone who has secured his position. “It’s about a collective of different jobs and roles, a group of people who really connect.”

The NHS Universal Family Programme exemplifies more than an work program. It stands as a strong assertion that organizations can change to include those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only change personal trajectories but enrich themselves through the distinct viewpoints that care leavers contribute.

As James walks the corridors, his involvement silently testifies that with the right help, care leavers can flourish in environments once considered beyond reach. The embrace that the NHS has offered through this Programme represents not charity but appreciation of hidden abilities and the profound truth that each individual warrants a community that supports their growth.