NHS: The Family They Never Had

Among the organized chaos of medical professionals in Birmingham, a young man named James Stokes navigates his daily responsibilities with subtle confidence. His oxford shoes move with deliberate precision as he acknowledges colleagues—some by name, others with the universal currency of a “hello there.”

James displays his credentials not merely as institutional identification but as a symbol of acceptance. It hangs against a neatly presented outfit that gives no indication of the difficult path that brought him here.

What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His presence gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative designed specifically for young people who have experienced life in local authority care.

“It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me,” James reflects, his voice controlled but tinged with emotion. His statement summarizes the core of a programme that aims to reinvent how the vast healthcare system approaches care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.

The figures tell a troubling story. Care leavers often face poorer mental health outcomes, money troubles, housing precarity, and diminished educational achievements compared to their age-mates. Behind these clinical numbers are individual journeys of young people who have navigated a system that, despite best intentions, regularly misses the mark in offering the supportive foundation that shapes most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS England’s promise to the Care Leaver Covenant, signifies a substantial transformation in institutional thinking. Fundamentally, it acknowledges that the entire state and civil society should function as a “communal support system” for those who have missed out on the stability of a traditional family setting.

A select group of healthcare regions across England have blazed the trail, creating systems that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.

The Programme is detailed in its approach, initiating with detailed evaluations of existing procedures, creating management frameworks, and obtaining senior buy-in. It understands that effective inclusion requires more than noble aims—it demands tangible actions.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James started his career, they’ve established a reliable information exchange with representatives who can deliver help and direction on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The standard NHS recruitment process—formal and possibly overwhelming—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now focus on attitudinal traits rather than numerous requirements. Application procedures have been reconsidered to consider the particular difficulties care leavers might experience—from lacking professional references to facing barriers to internet access.

Possibly most crucially, the Programme acknowledges that entering the workforce can present unique challenges for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the backup of familial aid. Concerns like travel expenses, identification documents, and banking arrangements—assumed basic by many—can become significant barriers.

The elegance of the Programme lies in its meticulous consideration—from outlining compensation information to helping with commuting costs until that crucial first salary payment. Even seemingly minor aspects like coffee breaks and workplace conduct are carefully explained.

For James, whose professional path has “changed” his life, the Programme offered more than work. It gave him a perception of inclusion—that intangible quality that emerges when someone feels valued not despite their history but because their distinct perspective enriches the institution.

“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James notes, his gaze showing the quiet pride of someone who has found his place. “It’s about a family of different jobs and roles, a group of people who really connect.”

The NHS Universal Family Programme embodies more than an work program. It functions as a powerful statement that organizations can adapt to embrace those who have known different challenges. In doing so, they not only change personal trajectories but enhance their operations through the unique perspectives that care leavers contribute.

As James walks the corridors, his involvement quietly demonstrates that with the right assistance, care leavers can flourish in environments once considered beyond reach. The support that the NHS has offered through this Programme signifies not charity but appreciation of untapped potential and the essential fact that all people merit a family that champions their success.