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NHS: Belonging in White Corridors

In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes moves with quiet purpose. His oxford shoes barely make a sound as he exchanges pleasantries with colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a “good morning.”

James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as institutional identification but as a declaration of belonging. It rests against a well-maintained uniform that betrays nothing of the tumultuous journey that led him to this place.

What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His bearing gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first recruits of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative crafted intentionally for young people who have been through the care system.

“It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me,” James says, his voice measured but carrying undertones of feeling. His statement summarizes the essence of a programme that aims to revolutionize how the enormous healthcare system views care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.

The figures tell a troubling story. Care leavers frequently encounter greater psychological challenges, economic uncertainty, housing precarity, and diminished educational achievements compared to their age-mates. Underlying these impersonal figures are individual journeys of young people who have traversed a system that, despite good efforts, frequently fails in delivering the nurturing environment that molds most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, established in January 2023 following NHS England’s promise to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a significant change in systemic approach. Fundamentally, it acknowledges that the whole 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 pathfinder integrated care boards across England have blazed the trail, developing systems that reconceptualize how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.

The Programme is meticulous in its approach, starting from detailed evaluations of existing practices, forming management frameworks, and obtaining leadership support. It recognizes that effective inclusion requires more than lofty goals—it demands practical measures.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they’ve created a reliable information exchange with representatives who can provide help and direction on personal welfare, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The conventional NHS recruitment process—formal and possibly overwhelming—has been intentionally adjusted. Job advertisements now focus on character attributes rather than long lists of credentials. Application procedures have been redesigned to address the unique challenges care leavers might encounter—from missing employment history to having limited internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme understands that starting a job can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the support of parental assistance. Matters like transportation costs, proper ID, and financial services—considered standard by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The brilliance of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from outlining compensation information to offering travel loans until that essential first payday. Even apparently small matters like rest periods and workplace conduct are carefully explained.

For James, whose NHS journey has “transformed” his life, the Programme offered more than a job. It offered him a feeling of connection—that elusive quality that develops when someone is appreciated not despite their past but because their unique life experiences enhances the organization.

“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James observes, his expression revealing the modest fulfillment of someone who has found his place. “It’s about a collective of different jobs and roles, a family of people who really connect.”

The NHS Universal Family Programme embodies more than an job scheme. It exists as a bold declaration that institutions can change to welcome those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but improve their services through the unique perspectives that care leavers bring to the table.

As James moves through the hospital, his presence silently testifies that with the right support, care leavers can succeed in environments once thought inaccessible. The support that the NHS has extended through this Programme symbolizes not charity but recognition of overlooked talent and the essential fact that everyone deserves a family that believes in them.