NHS: Belonging in White Corridors

Among the organized chaos of medical professionals in Birmingham, a young man named James Stokes carries himself with the measured poise of someone who has found his place. His polished footwear move with deliberate precision as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a “hello there.”

James displays his credentials not merely as institutional identification but as a symbol of acceptance. It sits against a neatly presented outfit that betrays nothing of the tumultuous journey that preceded his arrival.

What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not visible on the surface. His demeanor reveals nothing of the fact that he was among the first recruits of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort crafted intentionally for young people who have spent time in care.

“It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me,” James explains, his voice controlled but revealing subtle passion. His observation encapsulates the heart of a programme that aims to reinvent how the massive healthcare system views care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.

The numbers reveal a challenging reality. Care leavers often face poorer mental health outcomes, economic uncertainty, housing precarity, and lower academic success compared to their age-mates. Underlying these clinical numbers are individual journeys of young people who have maneuvered through a system that, despite good efforts, frequently fails in providing the stable base that molds most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS England’s commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a significant change in institutional thinking. At its heart, it accepts that the entire state and civil society should function as a “communal support system” for those who haven’t experienced the security of a typical domestic environment.

Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have led the way, developing frameworks that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.

The Programme is detailed in its approach, initiating with comprehensive audits of existing procedures, forming management frameworks, and garnering leadership support. It understands that successful integration requires more than good intentions—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 deliver assistance and counsel on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.

The standard NHS recruitment process—formal and potentially intimidating—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now focus on personal qualities rather than long lists of credentials. Applications have been redesigned to address the unique challenges care leavers might encounter—from missing employment history to having limited internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme recognizes that entering the workforce can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the safety net of parental assistance. Issues like travel expenses, personal documentation, and financial services—considered standard by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The brilliance of the Programme lies in its meticulous consideration—from clarifying salary details to providing transportation assistance until that critical first wage disbursement. Even ostensibly trivial elements like break times and office etiquette are carefully explained.

For James, whose professional path has “revolutionized” his life, the Programme offered more than work. It offered him a sense of belonging—that intangible quality that grows when someone is appreciated not despite their history but because their unique life experiences enhances the institution.

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

The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an job scheme. It functions as a powerful statement that institutions can change to embrace those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but improve their services through the special insights that care leavers provide.

As James navigates his workplace, his involvement subtly proves that with the right assistance, care leavers can succeed in environments once thought inaccessible. The support that the NHS has offered through this Programme symbolizes not charity but appreciation of untapped potential and the fundamental reality that all people merit a support system that believes in them.