NHS: A Universal Embrace

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 smart shoes move with deliberate precision as he acknowledges colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a “good morning.”

James carries his identification not merely as a security requirement but as a declaration of acceptance. It sits against a pressed shirt that gives no indication of the difficult path that brought him here.

What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His bearing 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 experienced life in local authority care.

“It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me,” James says, his voice controlled but tinged with emotion. His observation summarizes the core of a programme that strives to transform how the massive healthcare system approaches care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.

The numbers reveal a challenging reality. Care leavers frequently encounter poorer mental health outcomes, financial instability, shelter insecurities, and reduced scholarly attainment compared to their contemporaries. Beneath these clinical numbers are personal narratives of young people who have navigated a system that, despite genuine attempts, often falls short in offering the nurturing environment that forms most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, established in January 2023 following NHS England’s commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a significant change in organizational perspective. At its core, it acknowledges that the entire state and civil society should function as a “universal family” for those who haven’t experienced the stability of a typical domestic environment.

Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have led the way, developing frameworks that reconceptualize how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.

The Programme is meticulous in its strategy, starting from detailed evaluations of existing practices, forming management frameworks, and garnering senior buy-in. It recognizes that successful integration requires more than noble aims—it demands concrete steps.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they’ve developed a reliable information exchange with representatives who can offer help and direction on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The conventional NHS recruitment process—rigid and potentially intimidating—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now focus on character attributes rather than long lists of credentials. Application processes have been reconsidered to address the specific obstacles care leavers might face—from not having work-related contacts to struggling with internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme understands that beginning employment can pose particular problems for care leavers who may be navigating autonomy without the safety net of family resources. Matters like commuting fees, personal documentation, and bank accounts—assumed basic by many—can become major obstacles.

The elegance of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from outlining compensation information to providing transportation assistance until that essential first salary payment. Even ostensibly trivial elements like coffee breaks and professional behavior are carefully explained.

For James, whose professional path has “changed” his life, the Programme offered more than employment. It provided him a perception of inclusion—that elusive quality that grows when someone feels valued not despite their background but because their particular journey improves the organization.

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

The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an job scheme. It exists as a powerful statement that organizations can adapt to welcome those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only alter individual futures but enhance their operations through the distinct viewpoints that care leavers bring to the table.

As James moves through the hospital, his participation subtly proves that with the right support, care leavers can thrive in environments once deemed unattainable. The arm that the NHS has provided through this Programme symbolizes not charity but appreciation of untapped potential and the profound truth that all people merit a support system that believes in them.