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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 smart shoes move with deliberate precision as he acknowledges colleagues—some by name, others with the comfortable currency of a "how are you."

James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as a security requirement but as a testament of belonging. It rests against a well-maintained uniform that gives no indication of the tumultuous journey that brought him here.

What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His bearing 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 been through the care system.

"It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me," James says, his voice measured but revealing subtle passion. His statement encapsulates the core of a programme that aims to reinvent how the massive healthcare system views care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.

The figures paint a stark picture. Care leavers frequently encounter greater psychological challenges, economic uncertainty, housing precarity, and reduced scholarly attainment compared to their age-mates. Beneath these clinical numbers are individual journeys of young people who have navigated a system that, despite good efforts, regularly misses the mark in offering the supportive foundation that forms most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, established in January 2023 following NHS England's promise to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a profound shift in institutional thinking. At its core, it acknowledges that the entire state and civil society should function as a "collective parent" for those who haven't experienced the security of a traditional family setting.

Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have led the way, creating 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 policies, forming governance structures, and obtaining leadership support. It understands that successful integration requires more than good intentions—it demands concrete steps.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they've developed a reliable information exchange with representatives who can offer support, advice, and guidance on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The conventional NHS recruitment process—rigid and potentially intimidating—has been intentionally adjusted. Job advertisements now focus on character attributes rather than long lists of credentials. Applications have been reconsidered to consider the unique challenges care leavers might face—from not having work-related contacts to having limited internet access.

Maybe most importantly, the Programme recognizes that starting a job can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be navigating autonomy without the safety net of family resources. Concerns like commuting fees, personal documentation, and banking arrangements—assumed basic by many—can become major obstacles.

The brilliance of the Programme lies in its meticulous consideration—from explaining payslip deductions to providing transportation assistance until that critical first payday. Even ostensibly trivial elements like coffee breaks and workplace conduct are deliberately addressed.

For James, whose professional path has "transformed" his life, the Programme offered more than employment. It provided him a perception of inclusion—that ineffable quality that emerges when someone feels valued not despite their history but because their particular journey enriches the workplace.

"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James observes, 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 genuinely care."

The NHS Universal Family Programme exemplifies more than an job scheme. It exists as a bold declaration that systems can change to embrace those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only alter individual futures but improve their services through the special insights that care leavers bring to the table.

As James navigates his workplace, his involvement silently testifies that with the right assistance, care leavers can succeed in environments once considered beyond reach. The arm that the NHS has extended through this Programme signifies not charity but recognition of overlooked talent and the profound truth that each individual warrants a support system that supports their growth.