Darby Engle

Within the bustling halls of an NHS hospital in Birmingham, a young man named James Stokes navigates his daily responsibilities with subtle confidence. His polished footwear move with deliberate precision as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a "hello there."

James carries his identification not merely as institutional identification but as a testament of belonging. It sits against a pressed shirt that gives no indication of the challenging road that led him to this place.

What separates James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His presence discloses 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 says, his voice measured but revealing subtle passion. His remark captures the core of a programme that aims to reinvent how the massive healthcare system perceives care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.

The figures paint a stark picture. Care leavers commonly experience poorer mental health outcomes, economic uncertainty, housing precarity, and lower academic success compared to their contemporaries. Beneath these cold statistics are personal narratives of young people who have navigated a system that, despite genuine attempts, often falls short in providing the nurturing environment that molds most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS England's commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a significant change in systemic approach. Fundamentally, it accepts that the complete state and civil society should function as a "communal support system" for those who haven't experienced the stability of a typical domestic environment.

A select group of healthcare regions across England have blazed the trail, creating systems that rethink how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can create pathways to care leavers.

The Programme is detailed in its strategy, beginning with comprehensive audits of existing procedures, establishing governance structures, and garnering executive backing. It recognizes that effective inclusion requires more than good intentions—it demands concrete steps.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they've created a consistent support system with representatives who can provide help and direction on personal welfare, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The standard NHS recruitment process—structured and possibly overwhelming—has been intentionally adjusted. Job advertisements now emphasize attitudinal traits rather than long lists of credentials. Applications have been reimagined to accommodate the unique challenges care leavers might experience—from not having work-related contacts to struggling with internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme recognizes that entering the workforce can pose particular problems for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the support of parental assistance. Issues like travel expenses, proper ID, and bank accounts—taken for granted by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The brilliance of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from outlining compensation information to providing transportation assistance until that essential first wage disbursement. Even ostensibly trivial elements like break times and professional behavior are carefully explained.

For James, whose career trajectory has "transformed" his life, the Programme delivered more than a job. It offered him a perception of inclusion—that elusive quality that emerges when someone feels valued not despite their background but because their distinct perspective enhances the workplace.

"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James notes, his gaze showing the subtle satisfaction of someone who has found his place. "It's about a family of different jobs and roles, a team of people who really connect."

The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an work program. It exists as a bold declaration that institutions can adapt to include those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but improve their services through the unique perspectives that care leavers provide.

As James walks the corridors, his presence silently testifies that with the right support, care leavers can thrive in environments once deemed unattainable. The embrace that the NHS has offered through this Programme symbolizes not charity but recognition of hidden abilities and the fundamental reality that all people merit a community that believes in them.