NHS: The Family They Never Had

Within the bustling halls of an NHS hospital in Birmingham, a young man named James Stokes navigates his daily responsibilities with subtle confidence. His smart shoes whisper against the floor as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a "hello there."

James displays his credentials not merely as institutional identification but as a symbol of belonging. It hangs against a neatly presented outfit that gives no indication of the challenging road that brought him here.

What separates James from many of his colleagues is not visible on the surface. His bearing reveals nothing of the fact that he was among the first recruits of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative designed specifically for young people who have been through the care system.

"The Programme embraced me when I needed it most," James says, his voice measured but tinged with emotion. His remark summarizes the heart of a programme that seeks to reinvent how the vast healthcare system approaches care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.

The figures tell a troubling story. Care leavers commonly experience higher rates of mental health issues, money troubles, housing precarity, and lower academic success compared to their contemporaries. Beneath these cold statistics are personal narratives of young people who have traversed a system that, despite best intentions, often falls short in offering the supportive foundation that molds most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS England's promise to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a substantial transformation in organizational perspective. At its heart, it acknowledges that the entire state and civil society should function as a "universal family" for those who have missed out on the constancy of a traditional family setting.

Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have blazed the trail, developing structures that rethink how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can create pathways to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its approach, starting from thorough assessments of existing procedures, creating governance structures, and garnering leadership support. It understands that successful integration requires more than good intentions—it demands tangible actions.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James started his career, they've developed a consistent support system with representatives who can offer help and direction on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.

The traditional NHS recruitment process—rigid and possibly overwhelming—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now focus on personal qualities rather than extensive qualifications. Application procedures have been redesigned to address the particular difficulties care leavers might face—from missing employment history to facing barriers to internet access.

Maybe most importantly, the Programme acknowledges that entering the workforce can pose particular problems for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the backup of family resources. Issues like travel expenses, proper ID, and financial services—assumed basic by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The elegance of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from explaining payslip deductions to helping with commuting costs until that crucial first wage disbursement. Even apparently small matters like coffee breaks and professional behavior are carefully explained.

For James, whose NHS journey has "revolutionized" his life, the Programme delivered more than work. It provided him a feeling of connection—that intangible 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 modest fulfillment of someone who has discovered belonging. "It's about a community of different jobs and roles, a family of people who genuinely care."

The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an work program. It exists as a bold declaration that organizations can adapt to welcome those who have known different challenges. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but improve their services through the special insights that care leavers contribute.

As James moves through the hospital, his involvement subtly proves that with the right support, care leavers can flourish in environments once thought inaccessible. The support that the NHS has provided through this Programme signifies not charity but appreciation of hidden abilities and the profound truth that everyone deserves a family that believes in them.