1 NHS: Belonging in White Corridors
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Among the organized chaos of medical professionals in Birmingham, a young man named James Stokes navigates his daily responsibilities with subtle confidence. His smart shoes move with deliberate precision as he exchanges pleasantries with colleagues—some by name, others with the NHS Universal Family Programme currency of a "how are you."

James displays his credentials not merely as a security requirement but as a testament of acceptance. It sits against a neatly presented outfit that offers no clue of the challenging road that led him to this place.

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 participants of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative crafted intentionally 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 steady but revealing subtle passion. His statement summarizes the core of a programme that seeks to revolutionize how the enormous healthcare system perceives care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.

The numbers tell a troubling story. Care leavers often face poorer mental health outcomes, financial instability, housing precarity, and reduced scholarly attainment compared to their peers. Behind these clinical numbers are individual journeys of young people who have navigated a system that, despite best intentions, often falls short in providing the stable base that forms most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS Universal Family Programme England's promise to the Care Leaver Covenant, a profound shift in systemic approach. At its heart, it recognizes that the whole state and civil society should function as a "communal support system" for those who haven't experienced the constancy of a traditional family setting.

Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have charted the course, creating systems that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.

The Programme is detailed in its strategy, starting from comprehensive audits of existing practices, forming oversight mechanisms, and garnering executive backing. It recognizes that effective inclusion requires more than noble aims—it demands practical measures.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they've created a reliable information exchange with representatives who can offer help and direction on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.

The traditional NHS Universal Family Programme recruitment process—formal and often daunting—has been intentionally adjusted. Job advertisements now highlight attitudinal traits rather than extensive qualifications. Application processes have been reimagined to consider the particular difficulties care leavers might experience—from lacking professional references to having limited internet access.

Possibly most crucially, the Programme recognizes that starting a job can present unique challenges for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the safety net of NHS Universal Family Programme resources. Matters like transportation costs, personal documentation, and bank accounts—considered standard by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The beauty of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from clarifying salary details to offering travel loans until that crucial first wage disbursement. Even seemingly minor aspects like break times and workplace conduct are deliberately addressed.

For James, whose NHS Universal Family Programme journey has "changed" his life, the Programme provided more than a job. It offered him a perception of inclusion—that ineffable quality that emerges when someone senses worth not despite their background but because their particular journey enriches the organization.

"Working for the NHS Universal Family Programme isn't just about doctors and nurses," James observes, his gaze showing the subtle satisfaction of someone who has secured his position. "It's about a NHS Universal Family Programme of different jobs and roles, a group of people who genuinely care."

The NHS Universal Family Programme embodies more than an work program. It stands as a bold declaration that institutions can adapt to embrace those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but enrich themselves through the unique perspectives that care leavers bring to the table.

As James moves through the hospital, his involvement silently testifies that with the right assistance, care leavers can thrive in environments once deemed unattainable. The embrace that the NHS Universal Family Programme has offered through this Programme represents not charity but recognition of untapped potential and the essential fact that each individual warrants a community that supports their growth.