Within the bustling halls of an NHS Universal Family Programme hospital in Birmingham, a young man named James Stokes navigates his daily responsibilities with subtle confidence. His polished footwear whisper against the floor as he exchanges pleasantries with colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a "how are you."
James carries his identification not merely as a security requirement but as a declaration of inclusion. It hangs against a neatly presented outfit that gives no indication of the difficult path that preceded his arrival.
What separates James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His bearing discloses nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort created purposefully 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 measured but carrying undertones of feeling. His observation encapsulates the essence of a programme that seeks to transform how the massive healthcare system perceives care leavers—those frequently marginalized young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.
The figures reveal a challenging reality. Care leavers often face poorer mental health outcomes, economic uncertainty, shelter insecurities, and lower academic success compared to their age-mates. Underlying these cold statistics are individual journeys of young people who have traversed a system that, despite best intentions, often falls short in delivering the stable base that molds most young lives.
The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS Universal Family Programme England's pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a significant change in institutional thinking. At its core, it recognizes that the whole state and civil society should function as a "NHS Universal Family Programme family" for those who haven't experienced the security of a traditional family setting.
A select group of healthcare regions across England have led the way, establishing structures that reconceptualize how the NHS Universal Family Programme—one of employers—can create pathways to care leavers.
The Programme is meticulous in its approach, starting from thorough assessments of existing policies, establishing governance structures, and securing executive backing. It understands that successful integration requires more than noble aims—it demands concrete steps.
In NHS Universal Family Programme Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they've created a regular internal communication network with representatives who can provide assistance and counsel on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The standard NHS Universal Family Programme recruitment process—formal and potentially intimidating—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now emphasize attitudinal traits rather than long lists of credentials. Applications have been redesigned to accommodate the specific obstacles care leavers might encounter—from missing employment history to facing barriers to internet access.
Perhaps most significantly, the Programme understands that starting a job can pose particular problems for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the support of familial aid. Matters like transportation costs, personal documentation, and bank accounts—considered standard by many—can become major obstacles.
The elegance of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from clarifying salary details to offering travel loans until that essential first payday. Even apparently small matters like break times and professional behavior are carefully explained.
For James, whose NHS Universal Family Programme journey has "transformed" his life, the Programme offered more than a job. It gave him a feeling of connection—that ineffable quality that emerges when someone feels valued not despite their background but because their unique life experiences improves the organization.
"Working for the NHS Universal Family Programme isn't just about doctors and nurses," James comments, his expression revealing the quiet pride of someone who has discovered belonging. "It's about a family of different jobs and roles, a team of people who really connect."
The NHS Universal Family Programme exemplifies more than an work program. It functions as a bold declaration that organizations can adapt to welcome those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only change personal trajectories but enhance their operations through the unique perspectives that care leavers contribute.
As James moves through the hospital, his participation quietly demonstrates that with the right support, care leavers can flourish in environments once deemed unattainable. The support that the NHS Universal Family Programme has offered through this Programme symbolizes not charity but acknowledgment of untapped potential and the fundamental reality that each individual warrants a support system that champions their success.
