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 navigates his daily responsibilities with subtle confidence. His polished footwear whisper against the floor as he exchanges pleasantries with colleagues—some by name, others with the NHS Universal Family Programme currency of a “how are you.”

James carries his identification not merely as institutional identification but as a symbol of acceptance. It sits against a neatly presented outfit that betrays nothing of the challenging road that preceded his arrival.

What sets apart 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 beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative crafted intentionally 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 steady but tinged with emotion. His remark captures the heart of a programme that strives to reinvent how the enormous healthcare system approaches care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.

The figures tell a troubling story. Care leavers often face greater psychological challenges, money troubles, housing precarity, and lower academic success compared to their contemporaries. Behind these impersonal figures are individual journeys of young people who have maneuvered through a system that, despite best intentions, regularly misses the mark in providing the nurturing environment that molds most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS Universal Family Programme England’s commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a profound shift in systemic approach. At its core, it acknowledges that the entire state and civil society should function as a “NHS Universal Family Programme family” for those who haven’t known the security of a conventional home.

Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have led the way, developing frameworks that reimagine how the NHS Universal Family Programme—one of Europe’s largest employers—can create pathways to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its strategy, beginning with detailed evaluations of existing policies, creating governance structures, and obtaining senior buy-in. It recognizes that effective inclusion requires more than noble aims—it demands tangible actions.

In NHS Universal Family Programme Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they’ve developed a reliable information exchange with representatives who can deliver assistance and counsel on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.

The conventional NHS Universal Family Programme recruitment process—rigid and possibly overwhelming—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now focus on personal qualities rather than qualifications. Applications have been redesigned to accommodate the particular difficulties care leavers might experience—from lacking professional references to facing barriers to internet access.

Possibly most crucially, the Programme recognizes that starting a job can pose particular problems for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the support of parental assistance. Concerns like travel expenses, identification documents, and bank accounts—taken for granted by many—can become major obstacles.

The brilliance of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from clarifying salary details to providing transportation assistance until that essential first salary payment. Even seemingly minor aspects like break times and office etiquette are carefully explained.

For James, whose career trajectory has “revolutionized” his life, the Programme provided more than work. It gave him a sense of belonging—that intangible quality that grows when someone senses worth not despite their background but because their particular journey enhances the workplace.

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

The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an work program. It functions as a strong assertion that institutions can change to include those who have experienced life differently. 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 quietly demonstrates that with the right support, care leavers can succeed in environments once deemed unattainable. The support that the NHS Universal Family Programme has provided through this Programme signifies not charity but appreciation of hidden abilities and the fundamental reality that everyone deserves a community that believes in them.