Within the bustling halls of an NHS hospital in Birmingham, a young man named James Stokes navigates his daily responsibilities with subtle confidence. His smart shoes move with deliberate precision as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a "how are you."

James displays his credentials not merely as a security requirement but as a declaration of belonging. It hangs against a pressed shirt that betrays nothing of the challenging road that preceded his arrival.

What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His presence gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first recruits of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort crafted intentionally for young people who have experienced life in local authority care.

"I found genuine support within the NHS structure," James reflects, his voice controlled but carrying undertones of feeling. His statement encapsulates the heart of a programme that strives to transform how the vast healthcare system approaches care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.

The numbers paint a stark picture. Care leavers often face poorer mental health outcomes, financial instability, housing precarity, and diminished educational achievements compared to their peers. Beneath these impersonal figures are personal narratives of young people who have navigated a system that, despite genuine attempts, often falls short in providing the stable base that shapes most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, established in January 2023 following NHS England's pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a substantial transformation in systemic approach. Fundamentally, it accepts that the complete state and civil society should function as a "communal support system" for those who have missed out on the security of a conventional home.

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

The Programme is detailed in its methodology, starting from comprehensive audits of existing practices, forming governance structures, and obtaining leadership support. It recognizes that meaningful participation requires more than lofty goals—it demands tangible actions.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James started his career, they've created a regular internal communication network with representatives who can provide help and direction on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and inclusivity efforts.

The conventional NHS recruitment process—rigid and potentially intimidating—has been intentionally adjusted. Job advertisements now emphasize character attributes rather than extensive qualifications. Application processes have been reconsidered to address the specific obstacles care leavers might encounter—from missing employment history to facing barriers to internet access.

Possibly most crucially, the Programme acknowledges that starting a job can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the backup of familial aid. Issues like travel expenses, identification documents, and bank accounts—taken for granted by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The brilliance of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from clarifying salary details to helping with commuting costs until that essential first wage disbursement. Even seemingly minor aspects like break times and workplace conduct are deliberately addressed.

For James, whose professional path has "revolutionized" his life, the Programme provided more than a job. It offered him a perception of inclusion—that elusive quality that emerges when someone senses worth not despite their background but because their unique life experiences enriches the workplace.

"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James notes, his eyes reflecting the modest fulfillment of someone who has secured his position. "It's about a family of different jobs and roles, a team of people who really connect."

The NHS Universal Family Programme exemplifies more than an work program. It functions as a powerful statement that institutions can change to welcome those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only alter individual futures but enrich themselves through the unique perspectives that care leavers contribute.

As James walks the corridors, his participation quietly demonstrates that with the right support, care leavers can succeed in environments once considered beyond reach. The support that the NHS has offered through this Programme signifies not charity but recognition of untapped potential and the profound truth that everyone deserves a family that believes in them.