NHS: The Family They Never Had

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 oxford shoes whisper against the floor as he exchanges pleasantries with 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 testament of inclusion. It hangs against a pressed shirt that offers no clue of the tumultuous journey that preceded his arrival.

What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His bearing reveals nothing of the fact that he was among the first participants of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative designed specifically for young people who have been through the care system.

“It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me,” James says, his voice steady but carrying undertones of feeling. His remark summarizes the core of a programme that seeks to reinvent how the enormous healthcare system views care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.

The figures tell a troubling story. Care leavers commonly experience higher rates of mental health issues, money troubles, shelter insecurities, and diminished educational achievements compared to their contemporaries. Underlying these impersonal figures are human stories of young people who have maneuvered through a system that, despite best intentions, often falls short in delivering the nurturing environment that molds most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS England’s pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a substantial transformation in systemic approach. At its core, it acknowledges that the whole state and civil society should function as a “universal family” for those who haven’t known the stability of a conventional home.

A select group of healthcare regions across England have blazed the trail, creating frameworks that rethink how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its approach, starting from thorough assessments of existing procedures, creating management frameworks, and garnering executive backing. It understands that successful integration requires more than good intentions—it demands practical measures.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they’ve developed a regular internal communication network with representatives who can offer assistance and counsel on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The standard NHS recruitment process—structured and often daunting—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now emphasize personal qualities rather than long lists of credentials. Applications have been reconsidered to address the particular difficulties care leavers might experience—from lacking professional references to struggling with internet access.

Possibly most crucially, the Programme acknowledges that starting a job can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be navigating autonomy without the support of family resources. Matters like commuting fees, proper ID, and financial services—considered standard by many—can become major obstacles.

The beauty of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from outlining compensation information to providing transportation assistance until that crucial first wage disbursement. Even seemingly minor aspects like coffee breaks and professional behavior are carefully explained.

For James, whose NHS journey has “revolutionized” his life, the Programme delivered more than work. It offered him a perception of inclusion—that intangible quality that emerges when someone is appreciated not despite their past but because their particular journey improves the workplace.

“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James observes, his expression revealing the subtle satisfaction of someone who has found his place. “It’s about a community of different jobs and roles, a group of people who truly matter.”

The NHS Universal Family Programme embodies more than an employment initiative. It stands as a powerful statement that institutions can evolve to embrace those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only alter individual futures but enhance their operations through the special insights that care leavers contribute.

As James walks the corridors, his participation silently testifies that with the right assistance, care leavers can succeed in environments once considered beyond reach. The embrace that the NHS has offered through this Programme symbolizes not charity but acknowledgment of hidden abilities and the essential fact that everyone deserves a community that supports their growth.