NHS: Belonging in White Corridors

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 acknowledges colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a “hello there.”

James displays his credentials not merely as institutional identification but as a symbol of acceptance. It hangs against a pressed shirt that offers no clue of the challenging road that brought him here.

What separates James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His presence gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first participants of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative crafted intentionally for young people who have spent time in care.

“It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me,” James says, his voice steady but carrying undertones of feeling. His remark encapsulates the heart of a programme that aims to reinvent how the enormous healthcare system approaches care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.

The statistics paint a stark picture. Care leavers often face greater psychological challenges, economic uncertainty, shelter insecurities, and lower academic success compared to their peers. Underlying these cold statistics are individual journeys of young people who have traversed a system that, despite best intentions, often falls short in delivering the stable base that forms most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS England’s pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a substantial transformation in institutional thinking. At its core, it acknowledges that the whole state and civil society should function as a “collective parent” for those who haven’t known the constancy of a typical domestic environment.

Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have led the way, creating systems that reconceptualize how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can create pathways to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its approach, initiating with thorough assessments of existing policies, forming management frameworks, and securing executive backing. It acknowledges that successful integration requires more than good intentions—it demands concrete steps.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they’ve established a consistent support system with representatives who can deliver assistance and counsel on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The traditional NHS recruitment process—rigid and possibly overwhelming—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now highlight character attributes rather than extensive qualifications. Applications have been reconsidered to consider the unique challenges care leavers might encounter—from lacking professional references to facing barriers to internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme recognizes that beginning employment can present unique challenges for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the backup of familial aid. Matters like travel expenses, personal documentation, and banking arrangements—assumed basic by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The elegance 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 thoughtfully covered.

For James, whose NHS journey has “transformed” his life, the Programme delivered more than a job. It provided him a feeling of connection—that intangible quality that grows when someone senses worth not despite their past but because their unique life experiences enriches the institution.

“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James notes, his gaze showing the subtle satisfaction of someone who has secured his position. “It’s about a community of different jobs and roles, a family of people who truly matter.”

The NHS Universal Family Programme exemplifies more than an employment initiative. It functions as a powerful statement that institutions can evolve to embrace those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only alter individual futures but enhance their operations through the distinct viewpoints that care leavers provide.

As James walks the corridors, his presence quietly demonstrates that with the right help, care leavers can thrive in environments once considered beyond reach. The support that the NHS has provided through this Programme symbolizes not charity but acknowledgment of untapped potential and the profound truth that all people merit a support system that champions their success.