In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes carries himself with the measured poise of someone who has found his place. His smart shoes barely make a sound as he acknowledges colleagues—some by name, others with the universal currency of a "how are you."

James carries his identification not merely as an employee badge but as a testament of inclusion. It rests against a neatly presented outfit that offers no clue of the challenging road that brought him here.

What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His demeanor discloses nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative designed specifically 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 measured but carrying undertones of feeling. His observation captures the essence of a programme that strives to reinvent how the enormous healthcare system views care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.

The statistics tell a troubling story. Care leavers frequently encounter poorer mental health outcomes, money troubles, housing precarity, and lower academic success compared to their peers. Underlying these cold statistics are individual journeys of young people who have maneuvered through a system that, despite best intentions, often falls short in offering the stable base that forms most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, established in January 2023 following NHS England's promise to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a profound shift in organizational perspective. Fundamentally, it acknowledges that the complete state and civil society should function as a "universal family" for those who have missed out on the constancy of a conventional home.

Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have led the way, developing frameworks that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.

The Programme is meticulous in its methodology, initiating with detailed evaluations of existing policies, forming governance structures, and obtaining executive backing. It acknowledges that effective inclusion requires more than lofty goals—it demands practical measures.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James started his career, they've created a reliable information exchange with representatives who can provide help and direction on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.

The traditional NHS recruitment process—formal and often daunting—has been intentionally adjusted. Job advertisements now emphasize attitudinal traits rather than extensive qualifications. Application processes have been redesigned to consider the specific obstacles care leavers might face—from not having work-related contacts to facing barriers to 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 safety net of parental assistance. Issues like commuting fees, personal documentation, and bank accounts—taken for granted by many—can become significant barriers.

The brilliance of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from clarifying salary details to helping with commuting costs until that crucial first salary payment. Even apparently small matters like break times and workplace conduct are thoughtfully covered.

For James, whose NHS journey has "transformed" his life, the Programme offered more than work. It gave him a feeling of connection—that elusive quality that emerges when someone feels valued not despite their past but because their particular journey enhances the institution.

"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James observes, his gaze showing the quiet pride of someone who has found his place. "It's about a collective of different jobs and roles, a team of people who truly matter."

The NHS Universal Family Programme embodies more than an work program. It exists as a bold declaration that institutions can change to welcome those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only change personal trajectories but enhance their operations through the special insights that care leavers bring to the table.

As James walks the corridors, his involvement silently testifies that with the right assistance, care leavers can thrive in environments once deemed unattainable. The embrace that the NHS has provided through this Programme represents not charity but acknowledgment of untapped potential and the essential fact that all people merit a community that supports their growth.