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 oxford shoes barely make a sound as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a "hello there."

James carries his identification not merely as institutional identification but as a symbol of acceptance. It sits against a well-maintained uniform that offers no clue of the challenging road that brought him here.

What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not visible on the surface. His presence gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an undertaking 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 reflects, his voice controlled but carrying undertones of feeling. His statement encapsulates the core of a programme that aims to reinvent how the massive healthcare system perceives care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.

The figures reveal a challenging reality. Care leavers often face poorer mental health outcomes, money troubles, shelter insecurities, and lower academic success compared to their peers. Beneath these impersonal figures are individual journeys of young people who have traversed a system that, despite best intentions, often falls short in offering the supportive foundation that shapes most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS England's pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a significant change in institutional thinking. At its heart, it accepts that the whole state and civil society should function as a "collective parent" for those who have missed out on the stability of a traditional family setting.

Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have led the way, creating frameworks that rethink how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its strategy, starting from detailed evaluations of existing practices, forming governance structures, and obtaining senior buy-in. It understands that meaningful participation requires more than good intentions—it demands practical measures.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they've established 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—structured and often daunting—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now highlight personal qualities rather than extensive qualifications. Application processes have been reconsidered to address the specific obstacles care leavers might encounter—from missing employment history to facing barriers to internet access.

Maybe most importantly, the Programme understands that entering the workforce can pose particular problems for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the backup of familial aid. Matters like travel expenses, personal documentation, and banking arrangements—taken for granted by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The elegance of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from outlining compensation information to offering travel loans until that essential first wage disbursement. Even seemingly minor aspects like break times and office etiquette are carefully explained.

For James, whose NHS journey has "transformed" his life, the Programme provided more than work. It gave him a sense of belonging—that intangible quality that develops when someone feels valued not despite their past but because their particular journey improves the workplace.

"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James comments, his eyes reflecting the subtle satisfaction of someone who has found his place. "It's about a community of different jobs and roles, a group of people who genuinely care."

The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an employment initiative. It exists as a powerful statement that institutions can adapt to embrace those who have known different challenges. In doing so, they not only change personal trajectories but enhance their operations through the special insights that care leavers contribute.

As James moves through the hospital, his participation silently testifies that with the right support, care leavers can thrive in environments once thought inaccessible. The embrace that the NHS has offered through this Programme represents not charity but acknowledgment of hidden abilities and the essential fact that each individual warrants a community that champions their success.