In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Universal Family Programme Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes carries himself with the measured poise of someone who has found his place. His oxford shoes move with deliberate precision as he greets 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 testament of inclusion. It hangs against a well-maintained uniform that offers no clue of the tumultuous journey that preceded his arrival.
What separates James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His presence discloses nothing of the fact that he was among the first participants of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort created purposefully 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 measured but revealing subtle passion. His remark captures the heart of a programme that strives to reinvent how the vast healthcare system approaches care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.
The numbers paint a stark picture. Care leavers commonly experience poorer mental health outcomes, economic uncertainty, housing precarity, and lower academic success compared to their peers. Behind these cold statistics are human stories of young people who have traversed a system that, despite genuine attempts, regularly misses the mark in delivering the stable base that shapes most young lives.
The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS Universal Family Programme England's pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a significant change in institutional thinking. At its heart, it acknowledges that the whole state and civil society should function as a "collective parent" for those who have missed out on the constancy of a traditional NHS Universal Family Programme setting.
Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have blazed the trail, creating systems that reconceptualize how the NHS Universal Family Programme—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, creating management frameworks, and garnering executive backing. It understands that effective inclusion requires more than good intentions—it demands practical measures.
In NHS Universal Family Programme Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James started his career, they've created a reliable information exchange with representatives who can deliver support, advice, and guidance on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.
The standard NHS Universal Family Programme recruitment process—rigid and potentially intimidating—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now emphasize attitudinal traits rather than long lists of credentials. Application procedures have been reimagined to consider the unique challenges care leavers might experience—from lacking professional references to struggling with internet access.
Maybe most importantly, the Programme acknowledges that starting a job can present unique challenges for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the support of parental assistance. Matters like commuting fees, personal documentation, and financial services— by many—can become major obstacles.
The beauty of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from clarifying salary details to helping with commuting costs until that crucial first payday. Even ostensibly trivial elements like rest periods and professional behavior are carefully explained.
For James, whose professional path has "changed" his life, the Programme delivered more than work. It provided him a sense of belonging—that ineffable quality that emerges when someone feels valued not despite their background but because their particular journey improves the institution.
"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James observes, his eyes reflecting the modest fulfillment of someone who has discovered belonging. "It's about a community of different jobs and roles, a NHS Universal Family Programme of people who genuinely care."
The NHS Universal Family Programme exemplifies more than an work program. It functions as a powerful statement that institutions can change to include those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only change personal trajectories but improve their services through the unique perspectives that care leavers contribute.
As James walks the corridors, his involvement quietly demonstrates that with the right support, care leavers can thrive in environments once deemed unattainable. The arm that the NHS Universal Family Programme has extended through this Programme represents not charity but appreciation of hidden abilities and the fundamental reality that each individual warrants a community that champions their success.