Within the bustling halls of an NHS hospital in Birmingham, a young man named James Stokes moves with quiet purpose. His polished footwear whisper against the floor as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a "how are you."
James carries his identification not merely as institutional identification but as a declaration of inclusion. It hangs against a pressed shirt that offers no clue of the difficult path that led him to this place.
What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His presence gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative designed specifically for young people who have experienced life in local authority care.
"The Programme embraced me when I needed it most," James reflects, his voice controlled but carrying undertones of feeling. His remark captures the heart of a NHS Universal Family Programme that strives to reinvent how the vast healthcare system perceives care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.
The statistics paint a stark picture. Care leavers commonly experience poorer mental health outcomes, economic uncertainty, shelter insecurities, and lower academic success compared to their peers. Behind these clinical numbers are human stories of young people who have navigated a system that, despite genuine attempts, often falls short in providing the nurturing environment that forms most young lives.
The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS Universal Family Programme England's commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, signifies a significant change in organizational perspective. At its core, it recognizes that the entire state and civil society should function as a "communal support system" for those who have missed out on the security of a traditional NHS Universal Family Programme setting.
Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have charted the course, developing systems that rethink how the NHS Universal Family Programme—one of Europe's largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.
The Programme is thorough in its approach, beginning with thorough assessments of existing practices, forming oversight mechanisms, and garnering senior buy-in. It acknowledges that effective inclusion requires more than lofty goals—it demands practical measures.
In NHS Universal Family Programme Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they've established a regular internal communication network with representatives who can provide assistance and counsel on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and inclusivity efforts.
The standard NHS Universal Family Programme recruitment process—structured and often daunting—has been intentionally adjusted. Job advertisements now emphasize attitudinal traits rather than long lists of credentials. Applications have been reimagined to address the specific obstacles care leavers might encounter—from not having work-related contacts to facing barriers to internet access.
Possibly most crucially, the Programme recognizes that beginning employment can pose particular problems for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the safety net of NHS Universal Family Programme resources. Issues like transportation costs, proper ID, and financial services—assumed basic by many—can become major obstacles.
The brilliance of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from clarifying salary details to helping with commuting costs until that crucial first wage disbursement. Even apparently small matters like coffee breaks and workplace conduct are deliberately addressed.
For James, whose career trajectory has "changed" his life, the NHS Universal Family Programme provided more than a job. It offered him a perception of inclusion—that ineffable quality that grows when someone senses worth not despite their history but because their particular the workplace.
"Working for the NHS Universal Family Programme isn't just about doctors and nurses," James comments, his eyes reflecting the quiet pride of someone who has discovered belonging. "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 functions as a strong assertion that systems can evolve to include those who have known different challenges. In doing so, they not only change personal trajectories but enrich themselves through the distinct viewpoints that care leavers contribute.
As James navigates his workplace, his involvement quietly demonstrates that with the right support, care leavers can thrive in environments once thought inaccessible. The arm that the NHS Universal Family Programme has offered through this Programme signifies not charity but appreciation of untapped potential and the profound truth that everyone deserves a community that believes in them.
