Blogs
on September 12, 2025
<br>In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes navigates his daily responsibilities with subtle confidence. His smart shoes whisper against the floor as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a "hello there."<br><img src="https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/universal-family-programme-peer-support-2048x2006.png"; style="max-width:420px;float:left;padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;border:0px;" alt="" />
<br>James carries his identification not merely as an employee badge but as a symbol of belonging. It hangs against a pressed shirt that offers no clue of the challenging road that led him to this place.<br>
<br>What separates James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His presence gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first participants of the <a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-universal-family-programme-quick-guide/">NHS</a>; Universal Family Programme—an initiative created purposefully for young people who have experienced life in local authority care.<br>
<br>"The Programme embraced me when I needed it most," James says, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. His statement encapsulates the essence of a programme that strives to reinvent how the vast healthcare system views care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.<br>
<br>The statistics paint a stark picture. Care leavers commonly experience poorer mental health outcomes, financial instability, accommodation difficulties, and reduced scholarly attainment compared to their age-mates. Underlying these cold statistics are personal narratives of young people who have navigated a system that, despite best intentions, regularly misses the mark in offering the supportive foundation that forms most young lives.<br>
<br>The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS England's promise to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a substantial transformation in institutional thinking. Fundamentally, it acknowledges that the complete state and civil society should function as a "collective parent" for those who haven't known the stability of a conventional home.<br>
<br>Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have charted the course, developing structures that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.<br>
<br>The Programme is meticulous in its methodology, beginning with comprehensive audits of existing procedures, forming oversight mechanisms, and obtaining leadership support. It acknowledges that meaningful participation requires more than good intentions—it demands tangible actions.<br>
<br>In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James started his career, they've established a reliable information exchange with representatives who can offer help and direction on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and inclusivity efforts.<br>
<br>The traditional <a href="https://hnycareershub.co.uk/employer-resources/">NHS</a>; recruitment process—structured and often daunting—has been intentionally adjusted. Job advertisements now highlight personal qualities rather than numerous requirements. Applications have been redesigned to consider the unique challenges care leavers might encounter—from missing employment history to facing barriers to internet access.<br>
<br>Possibly most crucially, the Programme understands that beginning employment can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the safety net of familial aid. Matters like transportation costs, identification documents, and bank accounts—taken for granted by many—can become major obstacles.<br>
<br>The beauty of the Programme lies in its meticulous consideration—from explaining payslip deductions to helping with commuting costs until that critical first wage disbursement. Even ostensibly trivial elements like break times and workplace conduct are carefully explained.<br>
<br>For James, whose NHS journey has "revolutionized" his life, the Programme delivered more than employment. It gave him a sense of belonging—that ineffable quality that develops when someone is appreciated not despite their history but because their particular journey improves the organization.<br>
<br>"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James observes, his eyes reflecting the quiet pride of someone who has found his place. "It's about a family of different jobs and roles, a team of people who really connect."<br>
<br>The NHS Universal Family Programme embodies more than an work program. It exists as a powerful statement that organizations 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 distinct viewpoints that care leavers bring to the table.<br>
<br>As James navigates his workplace, his involvement quietly demonstrates that with the right support, care leavers can succeed in environments once considered beyond reach. The embrace that the NHS has provided through this Programme represents not charity but recognition of overlooked talent and the profound truth that all people merit a family that champions their success.<br><img src="https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/themes/nhsengland/static/img/nhs-uk-logo.svg"; style="max-width:410px;float:left;padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;border:0px;" alt="" />