NHS: A Universal Embrace

In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes carries himself with the measured poise of someone who has found his place. His polished footwear whisper against the floor as he acknowledges colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a “hello there.”

James carries his identification not merely as a security requirement but as a testament of inclusion. It rests against a well-maintained uniform that betrays nothing of the difficult path that led him to this place.

What separates James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His demeanor reveals nothing of the fact that he was among the first participants of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort designed specifically for young people who have experienced life in local authority care.

“It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me,” James explains, his voice controlled but carrying undertones of feeling. His statement summarizes the heart of a programme that seeks to reinvent how the massive healthcare system perceives care leavers—those frequently marginalized young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.

The statistics tell a troubling story. Care leavers commonly experience greater psychological challenges, financial instability, housing precarity, and lower academic success compared to their contemporaries. Beneath these impersonal figures are personal narratives of young people who have maneuvered through a system that, despite genuine attempts, often falls short in offering the nurturing environment that molds most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS England’s promise to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a significant change in systemic approach. At its core, it acknowledges that the entire state and civil society should function as a “communal support system” for those who haven’t known the stability of a conventional home.

Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have blazed the trail, creating frameworks that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can create pathways to care leavers.

The Programme is detailed in its methodology, starting from detailed evaluations of existing policies, establishing 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 began his journey, they’ve developed a reliable information exchange with representatives who can deliver help and direction on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The standard NHS recruitment process—formal and potentially intimidating—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now highlight attitudinal traits rather than extensive qualifications. Application processes have been redesigned to consider the specific obstacles care leavers might experience—from missing employment history to struggling with internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme understands that starting a job can present unique challenges for care leavers who may be navigating autonomy without the support of family resources. Matters like transportation costs, personal documentation, and banking arrangements—considered standard by many—can become major obstacles.

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

For James, whose career trajectory has “revolutionized” his life, the Programme offered more than work. It gave him a feeling of connection—that intangible quality that grows when someone feels valued not despite their past but because their particular journey improves the workplace.

“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James comments, his eyes reflecting the modest fulfillment of someone who has discovered belonging. “It’s about a collective of different jobs and roles, a team of people who truly matter.”

The NHS Universal Family Programme exemplifies more than an job scheme. It stands as a bold declaration that systems can change to embrace those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but enhance their operations through the unique perspectives that care leavers bring to the table.

As James navigates his workplace, his participation silently testifies that with the right support, care leavers can flourish in environments once thought inaccessible. The embrace that the NHS has extended through this Programme symbolizes not charity but appreciation of hidden abilities and the essential fact that everyone deserves a community that believes in them.