NHS: Belonging in White Corridors

In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes moves with quiet purpose. His oxford shoes move with deliberate precision as he acknowledges colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a “good morning.”

James displays his credentials not merely as an employee badge but as a symbol of belonging. It hangs against a pressed shirt that offers no clue of the difficult path that led him to this place.

What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His bearing discloses nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an undertaking created purposefully for young people who have been through the care system.

“The Programme embraced me when I needed it most,” James explains, his voice controlled but carrying undertones of feeling. His statement summarizes the core of a programme that strives to reinvent how the massive healthcare system views care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.

The figures reveal a challenging reality. Care leavers commonly experience greater psychological challenges, economic uncertainty, housing precarity, and reduced scholarly attainment compared to their contemporaries. Underlying these clinical numbers are human stories of young people who have navigated a system that, despite genuine attempts, frequently fails in offering the supportive foundation that molds most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS England’s pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a substantial transformation in systemic approach. At its core, it acknowledges that the whole state and civil society should function as a “collective parent” for those who have missed out on the constancy of a traditional family setting.

Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have blazed the trail, establishing frameworks that rethink how the NHS—one of Europe’s largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.

The Programme is detailed in its approach, starting from thorough assessments of existing procedures, establishing management frameworks, and obtaining leadership support. It understands that effective inclusion requires more than lofty goals—it demands concrete steps.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they’ve created a regular internal communication network with representatives who can deliver help and direction on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.

The standard NHS recruitment process—rigid and often daunting—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now focus on character attributes rather than numerous requirements. Applications have been reimagined to accommodate the unique challenges care leavers might face—from missing employment history to having limited internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme understands that beginning employment can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be navigating autonomy without the backup of parental assistance. Issues like travel expenses, personal documentation, and banking arrangements—considered standard by many—can become significant barriers.

The beauty of the Programme lies in its meticulous consideration—from explaining payslip deductions to helping with commuting costs until that crucial first payday. Even apparently small matters like rest periods and office etiquette are carefully explained.

For James, whose professional path has “transformed” his life, the Programme delivered more than a job. It gave him a sense of belonging—that elusive quality that grows when someone feels valued not despite their history but because their unique life experiences enriches the organization.

“Working for the NHS isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” James comments, his expression revealing the modest fulfillment of someone who has discovered belonging. “It’s about a collective of different jobs and roles, a family of people who truly matter.”

The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an work program. It exists as a powerful statement that institutions can adapt to welcome those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only alter individual futures but enrich themselves through the unique perspectives that care leavers contribute.

As James moves through the hospital, his presence subtly proves that with the right support, care leavers can succeed in environments once deemed unattainable. The support that the NHS has offered through this Programme represents not charity but recognition of untapped potential and the profound truth that all people merit a community that believes in them.