NHS: The Family They Never Had

Within the bustling halls of an NHS hospital in Birmingham, a young man named James Stokes carries himself with the measured poise of someone who has found his place. His oxford shoes whisper against the floor as he exchanges pleasantries with colleagues—some by name, others with the universal currency of a “good morning.”

James displays his credentials not merely as institutional identification but as a testament of inclusion. It rests against a well-maintained uniform that offers no clue of the challenging road that led him to this place.

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 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 reflects, his voice measured but carrying undertones of feeling. His remark encapsulates the essence of a programme that seeks to revolutionize how the vast healthcare system views care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.

The numbers tell a troubling story. Care leavers commonly experience greater psychological challenges, money troubles, accommodation difficulties, and diminished educational achievements compared to their contemporaries. Beneath these clinical numbers are personal narratives of young people who have maneuvered through a system that, despite good efforts, 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 commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a significant change in systemic approach. Fundamentally, it recognizes that the complete state and civil society should function as a “universal family” for those who have missed out on the constancy of a typical domestic environment.

A select group of healthcare regions across England have charted the course, creating systems that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its strategy, initiating with thorough assessments of existing practices, forming management frameworks, and obtaining executive backing. It recognizes that meaningful participation requires more than noble aims—it demands concrete steps.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they’ve developed a consistent support system with representatives who can provide support, advice, and guidance on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The conventional NHS recruitment process—formal and possibly overwhelming—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now emphasize character attributes rather than long lists of credentials. Applications have been reconsidered to consider the particular difficulties care leavers might experience—from lacking professional references to facing barriers to internet access.

Maybe most importantly, the Programme understands that beginning employment can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be navigating autonomy without the safety net of family resources. Concerns like travel expenses, identification documents, and financial services—taken for granted by many—can become significant barriers.

The elegance of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from explaining payslip deductions to helping with commuting costs until that essential first wage disbursement. Even seemingly minor aspects like rest periods and office etiquette are deliberately addressed.

For James, whose NHS journey has “transformed” his life, the Programme provided more than employment. It provided him a perception of inclusion—that ineffable quality that develops when someone is appreciated not despite their past but because their distinct perspective improves the institution.

“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James observes, his gaze showing the quiet pride of someone who has found his place. “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 enrich themselves through the unique perspectives that care leavers provide.

As James navigates his workplace, his involvement subtly proves that with the right help, care leavers can thrive in environments once considered beyond reach. The arm that the NHS has offered through this Programme represents not charity but acknowledgment of overlooked talent and the profound truth that all people merit a family that champions their success.