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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 polished footwear move with deliberate precision as he acknowledges colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a “how are you.”

James displays his credentials not merely as institutional identification but as a symbol of belonging. It sits against a pressed shirt that betrays nothing of the tumultuous journey that brought him here.

What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His bearing gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first participants of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an undertaking 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 carrying undertones of feeling. His statement encapsulates the heart of a programme that seeks to reinvent how the vast healthcare system perceives care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.

The figures paint a stark picture. Care leavers often face poorer mental health outcomes, economic uncertainty, housing precarity, and diminished educational achievements compared to their age-mates. Underlying these cold statistics are individual journeys of young people who have traversed a system that, despite good efforts, frequently fails in providing the nurturing environment that shapes most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, established 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 known the constancy of a typical domestic environment.

Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have blazed the trail, establishing frameworks that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.

The Programme is meticulous in its strategy, initiating with thorough assessments of existing policies, forming oversight mechanisms, and garnering executive backing. It understands that successful integration requires more than good intentions—it demands concrete steps.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they’ve developed a consistent support system with representatives who can deliver support, advice, and guidance on personal welfare, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.

The traditional NHS recruitment process—formal and potentially intimidating—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now highlight character attributes rather than long lists of credentials. Application procedures have been reimagined to accommodate the specific obstacles care leavers might encounter—from not having work-related contacts to struggling with internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme understands that entering the workforce can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be navigating autonomy without the support of familial aid. Issues like travel expenses, identification documents, and banking arrangements—assumed basic by many—can become major obstacles.

The elegance of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from clarifying salary details to helping with commuting costs until that critical first salary payment. Even ostensibly trivial elements like rest periods and office etiquette are thoughtfully covered.

For James, whose professional path has “changed” his life, the Programme offered more than employment. It provided him a feeling of connection—that ineffable quality that grows when someone senses worth not despite their history but because their distinct perspective improves the organization.

“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James comments, his eyes reflecting the subtle satisfaction of someone who has secured his position. “It’s about a community of different jobs and roles, a family of people who really connect.”

The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an employment initiative. It functions as a bold declaration that institutions can adapt to include those who have known different challenges. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but improve their services through the distinct viewpoints that care leavers bring to the table.

As James walks the corridors, his presence subtly proves that with the right assistance, care leavers can thrive in environments once thought inaccessible. The embrace that the NHS has provided through this Programme symbolizes not charity but recognition of hidden abilities and the essential fact that everyone deserves a family that believes in them.