NHS: A Universal Embrace
Among the organized chaos of medical professionals in Birmingham, a young man named James Stokes moves with quiet purpose. His oxford shoes move with deliberate precision as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a “hello there.”
James displays his credentials not merely as institutional identification but as a testament of acceptance. It hangs against a well-maintained uniform that offers no clue of the challenging road that led him to this place.
What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not visible on the surface. His presence reveals nothing of the fact that he was among the first recruits of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort designed specifically for young people who have been through the care system.
“I found genuine support within the NHS structure,” James says, his voice steady but carrying undertones of feeling. His observation encapsulates the core of a programme that aims to reinvent how the massive healthcare system views care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.
The numbers reveal a challenging reality. Care leavers commonly experience poorer mental health outcomes, economic uncertainty, accommodation difficulties, and lower academic success compared to their contemporaries. Underlying these cold statistics are personal narratives of young people who have navigated a system that, despite best intentions, frequently fails in providing the stable base that molds most young lives.
The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS England’s commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, signifies a significant change in organizational perspective. At its heart, it recognizes that the whole state and civil society should function as a “communal support system” for those who have missed out on the constancy of a conventional home.
Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have charted the course, developing systems that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.
The Programme is meticulous in its approach, initiating with comprehensive audits of existing procedures, creating governance structures, and securing senior buy-in. It understands that effective inclusion requires more than noble aims—it demands practical measures.
In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they’ve created a consistent support system with representatives who can offer support, advice, and guidance on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and inclusivity efforts.
The standard NHS recruitment process—formal and potentially intimidating—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now highlight personal qualities rather than long lists of credentials. Application procedures have been reimagined to consider the specific obstacles care leavers might encounter—from not having work-related contacts to having limited internet access.
Perhaps most significantly, the Programme understands that entering the workforce can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the backup of familial aid. Concerns like transportation costs, proper ID, and banking arrangements—considered standard by many—can become significant barriers.
The brilliance of the Programme lies in its meticulous consideration—from explaining payslip deductions to helping with commuting costs until that critical first salary payment. Even ostensibly trivial elements like rest periods and workplace conduct are deliberately addressed.
For James, whose professional path has “changed” his life, the Programme delivered more than a job. It offered him a sense of belonging—that ineffable quality that grows when someone feels valued not despite their history but because their distinct perspective enhances the institution.
“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James notes, his gaze showing the quiet pride of someone who has secured his position. “It’s about a collective of different jobs and roles, a family of people who truly matter.”
The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an work program. It exists as a powerful statement that organizations can evolve to embrace those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only alter individual futures but enrich themselves through the distinct viewpoints that care leavers provide.
As James navigates his workplace, his participation quietly demonstrates that with the right support, care leavers can flourish in environments once considered beyond reach. The embrace that the NHS has offered through this Programme signifies not charity but recognition of hidden abilities and the profound truth that each individual warrants a community that believes in them.
