Blogs
on October 9, 2025
<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>Within the bustling halls of an <a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-universal-family-programme-quick-guide/">NHS</a>; hospital in Birmingham, a young man named James Stokes moves with quiet purpose. His oxford shoes whisper against the floor as he exchanges pleasantries with colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a "good morning."<br>
<br>James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as a security requirement but as a symbol of belonging. It rests against a pressed shirt that offers no clue of the challenging road that preceded his arrival.<br>
<br>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 recruits of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort crafted intentionally for young people who have experienced life in local authority care.<br>
<br>"The Programme embraced me when I needed it most," James reflects, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. His remark encapsulates the essence 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 emerged from the care system.<br>
<br>The figures tell a troubling story. Care leavers frequently encounter higher rates of mental health issues, financial instability, shelter insecurities, and diminished educational achievements compared to their age-mates. Underlying these clinical numbers are personal narratives of young people who have traversed a system that, despite good efforts, regularly misses the mark in providing the supportive foundation that forms most young lives.<br>
<br>The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS England's pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, signifies a profound shift in institutional thinking. At its heart, it accepts that the complete state and civil society should function as a "communal support system" for those who have missed out on the security of a conventional home.<br>
<br>Ten pioneering healthcare collectives 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 detailed in its approach, initiating with thorough assessments of existing practices, creating governance structures, and obtaining senior buy-in. It acknowledges that meaningful participation requires more than lofty goals—it demands concrete steps.<br>
<br>In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James started his career, they've developed a regular internal communication network with representatives who can deliver support, advice, and guidance on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and inclusivity efforts.<br>
<br>The conventional NHS recruitment process—structured and often daunting—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now focus on attitudinal traits rather than extensive qualifications. Applications have been redesigned to address the specific obstacles care leavers might experience—from not having work-related contacts to facing barriers to internet access.<br>
<br>Perhaps most significantly, the Programme recognizes that beginning employment can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the support of familial aid. Concerns like commuting fees, identification documents, and financial services—taken for granted by many—can become substantial hurdles.<br>
<br>The elegance of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from outlining compensation information to helping with commuting costs until that critical first wage disbursement. Even ostensibly trivial elements like coffee breaks and professional behavior are carefully explained.<br>
<br>For James, whose career trajectory has "revolutionized" his life, the Programme delivered more than work. It offered him a feeling of connection—that elusive quality that develops when someone feels valued not despite their background but because their distinct perspective enhances the workplace.<br>
<br>"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James comments, his eyes reflecting the quiet pride of someone who has found his place. "It's about a collective of different jobs and roles, a family of people who truly matter."<br>
<br>The <a href="https://hnycareershub.co.uk/employer-resources/">NHS Universal Family Programme</a> embodies more than an employment initiative. It stands as a strong assertion that organizations can evolve to include those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only change personal trajectories but enhance their operations through the special insights that care leavers contribute.<br>
<br>As James navigates his workplace, his presence quietly demonstrates that with the right help, care leavers can flourish in environments once thought inaccessible. The support that the NHS has provided through this Programme signifies not charity but acknowledgment of hidden abilities and the profound truth that each individual warrants a family that supports their growth.<br><img src="https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/universal-family-programme-peer-support-2048x2006.png"; style="max-width:440px;float:left;padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;border:0px;" alt="" />