NHS: The Family They Never Had

In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes carries himself with the measured poise of someone who has found his place. His smart shoes barely make a sound as he acknowledges colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a “hello there.”

James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as institutional identification but as a symbol of inclusion. It sits against a pressed shirt that betrays nothing of the difficult path 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 participants of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an undertaking crafted intentionally for young people who have spent time in care.

“It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me,” James says, his voice measured but revealing subtle passion. His remark encapsulates the heart of a programme that seeks to reinvent how the massive healthcare system perceives care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.

The statistics paint a stark picture. Care leavers commonly experience poorer mental health outcomes, financial instability, shelter insecurities, and reduced scholarly attainment compared to their contemporaries. Underlying these impersonal figures are human stories of young people who have traversed a system that, despite best intentions, often falls short in providing the supportive foundation that forms most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS England’s commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a substantial transformation in institutional thinking. At its core, it recognizes that the whole state and civil society should function as a “universal family” for those who have missed out on the constancy of a conventional home.

Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have led the way, developing structures that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its approach, beginning with comprehensive audits of existing policies, establishing oversight mechanisms, and securing senior buy-in. It recognizes that meaningful participation requires more than noble aims—it demands practical measures.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they’ve established a reliable information exchange with representatives who can deliver help and direction on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.

The standard NHS recruitment process—structured and often daunting—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now emphasize attitudinal traits rather than extensive qualifications. Application procedures have been redesigned to consider the unique challenges care leavers might experience—from missing employment history to having limited internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme recognizes that entering the workforce can pose particular problems for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the backup of parental assistance. Issues like travel expenses, proper ID, and banking arrangements—taken for granted by many—can become major obstacles.

The beauty of the Programme lies in its meticulous consideration—from outlining compensation information to providing transportation assistance until that critical first payday. Even ostensibly trivial elements like rest periods and professional behavior are thoughtfully covered.

For James, whose career trajectory has “transformed” his life, the Programme offered more than employment. It provided him a perception of inclusion—that ineffable quality that emerges when someone is appreciated not despite their history but because their particular journey improves the institution.

“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James notes, his gaze showing the modest fulfillment of someone who has found his place. “It’s about a community 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 strong assertion that systems can change to include those who have known different challenges. In doing so, they not only alter individual futures but enrich themselves through the unique perspectives that care leavers contribute.

As James navigates his workplace, his participation quietly demonstrates that with the right support, care leavers can thrive in environments once thought inaccessible. The embrace that the NHS has offered through this Programme symbolizes not charity but acknowledgment of overlooked talent and the fundamental reality that each individual warrants a community that champions their success.