NHS: A Universal Embrace

In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes navigates his daily responsibilities with subtle confidence. His oxford shoes whisper against the floor as he acknowledges colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a “hello there.”

James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as a security requirement but as a symbol of inclusion. It hangs against a neatly presented outfit that gives no indication of the difficult path that brought him here.

What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not visible on the surface. His bearing gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative designed specifically for young people who have spent time in care.

“It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me,” James reflects, his voice measured but revealing subtle passion. His statement captures the essence of a programme that aims 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 frequently encounter greater psychological challenges, money troubles, housing precarity, and lower academic success compared to their contemporaries. Beneath these impersonal figures are human stories of young people who have traversed a system that, despite best intentions, regularly misses the mark in delivering the stable base that shapes 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 acknowledges that the entire state and civil society should function as a “collective parent” for those who have missed out on the security of a traditional family setting.

A select group of healthcare regions across England have led the way, establishing frameworks that rethink how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.

The Programme is detailed in its methodology, starting from thorough assessments of existing practices, creating oversight mechanisms, and securing senior buy-in. It acknowledges that meaningful participation requires more than lofty goals—it demands practical measures.

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

The traditional NHS recruitment process—structured and often daunting—has been thoughtfully adapted. 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 lacking professional references to struggling with internet access.

Maybe most importantly, the Programme acknowledges that starting a job can pose particular problems for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the safety net of family resources. Issues like travel expenses, proper ID, and banking arrangements—considered standard by many—can become significant barriers.

The beauty of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from explaining payslip deductions to offering travel loans until that critical first salary payment. Even apparently small matters like break times and workplace conduct are carefully explained.

For James, whose career trajectory has “transformed” his life, the Programme delivered more than employment. It offered him a feeling of connection—that ineffable quality that develops when someone senses worth not despite their history but because their particular journey improves the organization.

“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James notes, his expression revealing the subtle satisfaction of someone who has secured his position. “It’s about a collective of different jobs and roles, a family of people who truly matter.”

The NHS Universal Family Programme exemplifies more than an job scheme. It functions as a bold declaration that institutions can adapt to include those who have known different challenges. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but enrich themselves through the distinct viewpoints that care leavers bring to the table.

As James navigates his workplace, his participation subtly proves that with the right assistance, care leavers can flourish in environments once thought inaccessible. The arm that the NHS has offered through this Programme signifies not charity but appreciation of untapped potential and the essential fact that each individual warrants a community that champions their success.