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 barely make a sound as he exchanges pleasantries with colleagues—some by name, others with the universal currency of a "how are you."

James carries his identification not merely as institutional identification but as a testament of acceptance. It hangs against a well-maintained uniform that betrays nothing of the challenging road that brought him here.
What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His bearing gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first participants of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort 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 explains, his voice controlled but tinged with emotion. His statement captures the heart of a programme that seeks to reinvent how the enormous healthcare system views care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.
The figures tell a troubling story. Care leavers commonly experience greater psychological challenges, financial instability, housing precarity, and lower academic success compared to their peers. Behind these impersonal figures are human stories of young people who have traversed a system that, despite good efforts, frequently fails in offering the stable base that shapes most young lives.
The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS England's commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a substantial transformation in organizational perspective. At its heart, it accepts that the complete state and civil society should function as a "collective parent" for those who haven't known the constancy of a traditional family setting.
Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have charted the course, establishing frameworks that reconceptualize how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can create pathways to care leavers.
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2JwoPc4sET8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen style="float:left;padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;border:0px;"></iframe>
The Programme is meticulous in its approach, starting from comprehensive audits of existing practices, forming governance structures, and garnering leadership support. It understands that effective inclusion requires more than lofty goals—it demands concrete steps.
In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they've developed a reliable information exchange with representatives who can offer help and direction on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.
The traditional NHS recruitment process—structured and possibly overwhelming—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now highlight personal qualities rather than long lists of credentials. Applications have been reconsidered to accommodate the particular difficulties care leavers might face—from not having work-related contacts to struggling with internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme recognizes that starting a job can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the safety net of familial aid. Issues like travel expenses, identification documents, and banking arrangements—assumed basic by many—can become major obstacles.
The elegance of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from explaining payslip deductions to helping with commuting costs until that critical first payday. Even seemingly minor aspects like rest periods and workplace conduct are deliberately addressed.
For James, whose NHS journey has "revolutionized" his life, the Programme delivered more than employment. It offered him a feeling of connection—that elusive quality that emerges when someone feels valued not despite their past but because their distinct perspective improves the organization.
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2BBxhJfAhZA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen style="float:left;padding:10px 10px 10px 0px;border:0px;"></iframe>
"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James notes, his __EXPRESSION__ revealing the subtle satisfaction of someone who has found his place. "It's about a community of different jobs and roles, a family 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 adapt to include those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but enrich themselves through the special insights that care leavers provide.
As James moves through the hospital, his presence subtly proves that with the right assistance, care leavers can flourish in environments once deemed unattainable. The arm that the NHS has extended through this Programme represents not charity but recognition of overlooked talent and the fundamental reality that everyone deserves a support system that supports their growth.