NHS: The Family They Never Had

Within the bustling halls of an NHS Universal Family Programme hospital in Birmingham, a young man named James Stokes moves with quiet purpose. His polished footwear whisper against the floor as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a “how are you.”

James wears his NHS Universal Family Programme lanyard not merely as institutional identification but as a symbol of acceptance. It hangs against a neatly presented outfit that betrays nothing of the tumultuous journey that led him to this place.

What sets apart 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 beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative designed specifically for young people who have been through the care system.

“I found genuine support within the NHS Universal Family Programme structure,” James reflects, his voice controlled but tinged with emotion. His observation summarizes the essence of a programme that aims to revolutionize how the enormous healthcare system approaches care leavers—those frequently marginalized young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.

The figures paint a stark picture. Care leavers commonly experience greater psychological challenges, money troubles, shelter insecurities, and lower academic success compared to their peers. Behind these impersonal figures are personal narratives of young people who have traversed a system that, despite genuine attempts, often falls short in offering the stable base that forms most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, established in January 2023 following NHS Universal Family Programme England’s promise to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a substantial transformation in systemic approach. At its heart, it accepts that the whole state and civil society should function as a “communal support system” for those who haven’t experienced the security of a traditional family setting.

A select group of healthcare regions across England have charted the course, developing frameworks that rethink how the NHS Universal Family Programme—one of Europe’s largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its methodology, starting from detailed evaluations of existing policies, creating oversight mechanisms, and garnering executive backing. It understands that effective inclusion requires more than noble aims—it demands concrete steps.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they’ve developed a consistent support system with representatives who can offer help and direction on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The conventional NHS Universal Family Programme recruitment process—formal and possibly overwhelming—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now focus on character attributes rather than long lists of credentials. Application processes have been redesigned to accommodate the unique challenges care leavers might face—from missing employment history to facing barriers to internet access.

Possibly most crucially, the Programme understands that starting a job can present unique challenges for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the support of NHS Universal Family Programme resources. Concerns like commuting fees, proper ID, and banking arrangements—taken for granted by many—can become significant barriers.

The brilliance of the Programme lies in its meticulous consideration—from outlining compensation information to helping with commuting costs until that essential first wage disbursement. Even ostensibly trivial elements like break times and workplace conduct are deliberately addressed.

For James, whose NHS Universal Family Programme journey has “revolutionized” his life, the Programme delivered more than employment. It provided him a feeling of connection—that elusive quality that grows when someone feels valued not despite their past but because their particular journey enriches the workplace.

“Working for the NHS Universal Family Programme isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James notes, his gaze showing the subtle satisfaction of someone who has discovered belonging. “It’s about a collective of different jobs and roles, a group of people who really connect.”

The NHS Universal Family Programme embodies more than an work program. It functions as a bold declaration that systems can change to welcome those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only change personal trajectories but enrich themselves through the special insights that care leavers bring to the table.

As James moves through the hospital, his presence subtly proves that with the right support, care can succeed in environments once thought inaccessible. The support that the NHS Universal Family Programme has extended through this Programme symbolizes not charity but recognition of hidden abilities and the profound truth that all people merit a community that believes in them.