Blogs
on September 18, 2025
<br>Among the organized chaos of medical professionals in Birmingham, 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 universal currency of a "hello there."<br>
<br>James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as an employee badge but as a symbol of acceptance. It sits against a neatly presented outfit that gives no indication of the tumultuous journey that led him to this place.<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>What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His demeanor discloses nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort created purposefully for young people who have spent time in care.<br>
<br>"It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me," James explains, his voice steady but revealing subtle passion. His observation captures the core of a programme that aims to transform how the vast healthcare system approaches care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.<br>
<br>The figures paint a stark picture. Care leavers often face higher rates of mental health issues, money troubles, housing precarity, and reduced scholarly attainment compared to their age-mates. Beneath these clinical numbers are human stories of young people who have navigated a system that, despite best intentions, frequently fails in offering the stable base that forms most young lives.<br>
<br>The <a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-universal-family-programme-quick-guide/">NHS Universal Family Programme</a>, established in January 2023 following NHS England's promise to the Care Leaver Covenant, signifies a profound shift in institutional thinking. Fundamentally, it recognizes that the entire state and civil society should function as a "collective parent" for those who haven't known the stability of a typical domestic environment.<br>
<br>A select group of healthcare regions across England have led the way, developing structures that rethink how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.<br>
<br>The Programme is meticulous in its strategy, starting from comprehensive audits of existing policies, establishing management frameworks, and garnering executive backing. It understands that meaningful participation requires more than noble aims—it demands concrete steps.<br>
<br>In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they've created a reliable information exchange with representatives who can offer assistance and counsel on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.<br>
<br>The standard NHS recruitment process—structured and possibly overwhelming—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now emphasize character attributes rather than numerous requirements. Application processes have been redesigned to address the particular difficulties care leavers might face—from missing employment history to having limited internet access.<br>
<br>Maybe most importantly, the Programme understands that beginning employment can present unique challenges for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the support of parental assistance. Concerns like transportation costs, identification documents, and bank accounts—taken for granted by many—can become substantial hurdles.<br>
<br>The brilliance of the Programme lies in its meticulous consideration—from explaining payslip deductions to offering travel loans until that essential first wage disbursement. Even ostensibly trivial elements like break times and professional behavior are carefully explained.<br>
<br>For James, whose NHS journey has "transformed" his life, the Programme delivered more than employment. It provided him a perception of inclusion—that ineffable quality that grows when someone feels valued not despite their background but because their unique life experiences enhances 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 secured his position. "It's about a community of different jobs and roles, a group of people who really connect."<br><img src="https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/themes/nhsengland/static/img/nhs-uk-logo.svg"; style="max-width:440px;float:left;padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;border:0px;" alt="" />
<br>The <a href="https://hnycareershub.co.uk/employer-resources/">NHS Universal Family Programme</a> exemplifies more than an work program. It functions as a strong assertion that systems can change to embrace those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only alter individual futures but improve their services through the special insights that care leavers bring to the table.<br>
<br>As James walks the corridors, his presence silently testifies that with the right help, care leavers can flourish in environments once thought inaccessible. The embrace that the NHS has provided through this Programme represents not charity but recognition of overlooked talent and the essential fact that each individual warrants a family that champions their success.<br>