Mackenzie Stanfill
mackenziestanf
NHS: The Family They Never Had
NHS: The Family They Never Had
In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women's and Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes carries himself with the measured poise of someone who has found his place. His oxford shoes barely make a sound as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a "good morning."
James displays his credentials not merely as a security requirement but as a declaration of acceptance. It rests against a well-maintained uniform that betrays nothing of the challenging road that led him to this place.
What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His demeanor gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative created purposefully for young people who have been through the care system.
"It felt like the NHS Universal Family Programme was putting its arm around me," James reflects, his voice measured but carrying undertones of feeling. His remark encapsulates the heart of a programme that strives to transform how the massive healthcare system views care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.
The statistics reveal a challenging reality. Care leavers commonly experience higher rates of mental health issues, money troubles, housing precarity, and reduced scholarly attainment compared to their contemporaries. Underlying these clinical numbers are human stories of young people who have traversed a system that, despite good efforts, regularly misses the mark in offering the stable base that shapes most young lives.
The NHS Universal Family Programme, established in January 2023 following NHS Universal Family Programme England's commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a significant change in institutional thinking. Fundamentally, it accepts that the entire state and civil society should function as a "communal support system" for those who have missed out on the stability of a conventional home.
Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have blazed the trail, establishing structures that reimagine how the NHS Universal Family Programme—one of Europe's largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.
The Programme is thorough in its approach, beginning with comprehensive audits of existing practices, creating governance structures, and securing executive backing. It acknowledges that meaningful participation requires more than noble aims—it demands tangible actions.
In NHS Universal Family Programme Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they've created a reliable information exchange with representatives who can deliver help and direction on personal welfare, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.
The standard NHS Universal Family Programme recruitment process—structured and potentially intimidating—has been intentionally adjusted. Job advertisements now highlight character attributes rather than numerous requirements. Application procedures have been reimagined to accommodate the unique challenges care leavers might face—from not having work-related contacts 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 handling self-sufficiency without the safety net of NHS Universal Family Programme resources. Concerns like commuting fees, identification documents, and financial services—assumed basic by many—can become major obstacles.
The elegance of the Programme lies in its meticulous consideration—from outlining compensation information to helping with commuting costs until that essential first wage disbursement. Even ostensibly trivial elements like coffee breaks and workplace conduct are thoughtfully covered.
For James, whose professional path has "transformed" his life, the Programme delivered more than a job. It provided him a feeling of connection—that ineffable quality that develops when someone feels valued not despite their past but because their particular journey enhances the organization.
"Working for the NHS Universal Family Programme isn't just about doctors and nurses," James observes, his eyes reflecting the quiet pride of someone who has found his place. "It's about a collective of different jobs and roles, a NHS Universal Family Programme of people who genuinely care."
The NHS Universal Family Programme exemplifies more than an employment initiative. It functions as a strong assertion that institutions can evolve 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 provide.
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 Universal Family Programme has offered through this Programme signifies not charity but recognition of untapped potential and the essential fact that everyone deserves a NHS Universal Family Programme that supports their growth.
