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 smart shoes barely make a sound as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a “good morning.”
James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as institutional identification but as a declaration of inclusion. It hangs against a well-maintained uniform that betrays nothing of the tumultuous journey that preceded his arrival.
What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His demeanor discloses nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative created purposefully for young people who have experienced life in local authority care.
“The Programme embraced me when I needed it most,” James explains, his voice measured but revealing subtle passion. His observation encapsulates the core of a programme that seeks to reinvent how the enormous healthcare system perceives care leavers—those frequently marginalized young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.
The statistics tell a troubling story. Care leavers commonly experience poorer mental health outcomes, financial instability, housing precarity, and diminished educational achievements compared to their contemporaries. Underlying these clinical numbers are individual journeys of young people who have maneuvered through a system that, despite good efforts, often falls short in providing the nurturing environment that forms most young lives.
The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS England’s commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a significant change in systemic approach. Fundamentally, it recognizes that the whole state and civil society should function as a “universal family” for those who haven’t experienced the security of a traditional family setting.
A select group of healthcare regions across England have charted the course, creating systems that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.
The Programme is detailed in its approach, beginning with comprehensive audits of existing practices, creating management frameworks, and obtaining leadership support. It recognizes that effective inclusion requires more than lofty goals—it demands concrete steps.
In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they’ve established a reliable information exchange with representatives who can offer support, advice, and guidance on personal welfare, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.
The traditional NHS recruitment process—formal and often daunting—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now focus on attitudinal traits rather than numerous requirements. Application processes have been redesigned to accommodate the unique challenges care leavers might face—from lacking professional references to having limited internet access.
Maybe most importantly, the Programme acknowledges that starting a job can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the safety net of parental assistance. Issues like transportation costs, personal documentation, and financial services—taken for granted by many—can become substantial hurdles.
The beauty of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from outlining compensation information to offering travel loans until that critical first salary payment. Even seemingly minor aspects like coffee breaks and professional behavior are carefully explained.
For James, whose NHS journey has “revolutionized” his life, the Programme provided more than employment. It provided him a sense of belonging—that elusive quality that emerges when someone is appreciated not despite their background but because their particular journey enhances the workplace.
“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James observes, his eyes reflecting the quiet pride of someone who has found his place. “It’s about a collective of different jobs and roles, a team of people who really connect.”
The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an work program. It stands as a strong assertion that organizations can change to welcome those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but enhance their operations through the distinct viewpoints that care leavers bring to the table.
As James moves through the hospital, his participation silently testifies that with the right support, care leavers can thrive in environments once considered beyond reach. The embrace that the NHS has provided through this Programme symbolizes not charity but recognition of hidden abilities and the profound truth that everyone deserves a support system that champions their success.
