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 polished footwear whisper against the floor as he acknowledges colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a “good morning.”

James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as a security requirement but as a testament of acceptance. It rests against a neatly presented outfit that betrays nothing of the challenging road that brought him here.

What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His bearing gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first recruits of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an undertaking 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 steady but revealing subtle passion. His statement encapsulates the essence of a programme that aims to reinvent how the vast healthcare system views care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.

The statistics paint a stark picture. Care leavers commonly experience greater psychological challenges, economic uncertainty, housing precarity, and lower academic success compared to their age-mates. Behind these cold statistics are individual journeys of young people who have traversed a system that, despite genuine attempts, frequently fails in offering the supportive foundation that shapes most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS England’s commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a profound shift in institutional thinking. At its heart, it recognizes that the entire state and civil society should function as a “collective parent” for those who haven’t known the security of a traditional family setting.

Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have charted the course, establishing structures that rethink how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.

The Programme is detailed in its methodology, beginning with comprehensive audits of existing procedures, forming governance structures, and securing executive backing. It recognizes that successful integration requires more than lofty goals—it demands concrete steps.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they’ve created a regular internal communication network with representatives who can provide help and direction on personal welfare, HR matters, recruitment, and inclusivity efforts.

The traditional NHS recruitment process—structured and often daunting—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now focus on personal qualities rather than numerous requirements. Applications have been redesigned to address the particular difficulties care leavers might face—from not having work-related contacts to struggling with internet access.

Maybe most importantly, the Programme understands that starting a job can pose particular problems for care leavers who may be navigating autonomy without the support of familial aid. Concerns like transportation costs, personal documentation, and banking arrangements—considered standard by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The brilliance of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from clarifying salary details to offering travel loans until that essential first salary payment. Even apparently small matters like break times and workplace conduct are thoughtfully covered.

For James, whose NHS journey has “changed” his life, the Programme offered more than employment. It offered him a sense of belonging—that intangible quality that grows when someone feels valued not despite their history but because their particular journey enriches the institution.

“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 represents more than an work program. It stands as a bold declaration that institutions can change to include those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only change personal trajectories but improve their services through the special insights that care leavers bring to the table.

As James navigates his workplace, his presence silently testifies that with the right help, care leavers can succeed in environments once deemed unattainable. The support that the NHS has extended through this Programme represents not charity but acknowledgment of overlooked talent and the fundamental reality that everyone deserves a support system that champions their success.