NHS: The Family They Never Had - swav

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 barely make a sound as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a "good morning."

James carries his identification not merely as a security requirement but as a testament of belonging. It sits against a neatly presented outfit that betrays nothing of the challenging road that led him to this place.

What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not visible on the surface. His bearing discloses nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort designed specifically for young people who have experienced life in local authority care.

"I found genuine support within the NHS Universal Family Programme structure," James reflects, his voice steady but carrying undertones of feeling. His statement summarizes the essence of a programme that seeks to transform how the vast healthcare system views care leavers—those frequently marginalized young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.

The figures paint a stark picture. Care leavers commonly experience higher rates of mental health issues, money troubles, accommodation difficulties, and reduced scholarly attainment compared to their age-mates. Underlying these cold statistics are human stories of young people who have maneuvered through a system that, despite best intentions, frequently fails in offering the supportive foundation that shapes most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS Universal Family Programme England's pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a profound shift in institutional thinking. At its core, it recognizes that the whole state and civil society should function as a "collective parent" for those who haven't experienced the constancy of a typical domestic environment.

Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have charted the course, creating frameworks that rethink how the NHS Universal Family Programme—one of Europe's largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its methodology, initiating with detailed evaluations of existing procedures, creating oversight mechanisms, and securing executive backing. It understands that effective inclusion requires more than lofty goals—it demands concrete steps.

In NHS Universal Family Programme Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James started his career, they've developed a reliable information exchange with representatives who can provide help and direction on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The conventional NHS Universal Family Programme recruitment process—formal and often daunting—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now focus on attitudinal traits rather than long lists of credentials. Application processes have been reconsidered to address the unique challenges care leavers might encounter—from lacking professional references to struggling with internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the NHS Universal Family Programme recognizes that starting a job can pose particular problems for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the support of parental assistance. Issues like transportation costs, personal documentation, and financial services—taken for granted by many—can become major obstacles.

The elegance of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from clarifying salary details to offering travel loans until that crucial first payday. Even ostensibly trivial elements like break times and workplace conduct are deliberately addressed.

For James, whose career trajectory has "revolutionized" his life, the Programme provided more than a job. It gave him a perception of inclusion—that elusive quality that emerges when someone senses worth not despite their history but because their unique life experiences enriches the institution.

"Working for the NHS Universal Family Programme isn't just about doctors and nurses," James notes, his expression revealing the subtle satisfaction of someone who has discovered belonging. "It's about a community of different jobs and roles, a group of people who genuinely care."

The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an employment initiative. It stands as a strong assertion that systems can evolve to include those who have known different challenges. In doing so, they not only alter individual futures but enrich themselves through the unique perspectives that care leavers provide.

As James walks the corridors, his involvement subtly proves that with the right support, care leavers can thrive in environments once considered beyond reach. The arm that the NHS Universal Family Programme has offered through this NHS Universal Family Programme signifies not charity but acknowledgment of hidden abilities and the essential fact that each individual warrants a NHS Universal Family Programme that believes in them.