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 oxford shoes barely make a sound 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 declaration of inclusion. It hangs against a well-maintained uniform that offers no clue of the difficult path that brought him here.

What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His presence reveals nothing of the fact that he was among the first recruits of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an undertaking designed specifically for young people who have been through the care system.

"The Programme embraced me when I needed it most," James reflects, his voice controlled but revealing subtle passion. His statement encapsulates the core of a programme that seeks 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 statistics paint a stark picture. Care leavers often face greater psychological challenges, financial instability, housing precarity, and diminished educational achievements compared to their contemporaries. Beneath these cold statistics are individual journeys of young people who have traversed a system that, despite good efforts, often falls short in providing the nurturing environment that molds most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS England's commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a substantial transformation in institutional thinking. At its core, it recognizes that the whole state and civil society should function as a "collective parent" for those who have missed out on the constancy of a typical domestic environment.

Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have led the way, developing structures that reconceptualize how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its methodology, starting from thorough assessments of existing procedures, forming oversight mechanisms, and securing 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 created a regular internal communication network with representatives who can deliver support, advice, and guidance on personal welfare, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The standard NHS recruitment process—structured and often daunting—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now highlight personal qualities rather than long lists of credentials. Application procedures have been reconsidered to consider the specific obstacles care leavers might encounter—from missing employment history to struggling with internet access.

Possibly most crucially, the Programme understands that beginning employment can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the support of parental assistance. Concerns like commuting fees, identification documents, and banking arrangements—considered standard by many—can become significant barriers.

The beauty of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from clarifying salary details to helping with commuting costs until that critical first salary payment. Even apparently small matters like coffee breaks and professional behavior are carefully explained.

For James, whose NHS journey has "changed" his life, the Programme provided more than employment. It offered him a sense of belonging—that elusive quality that develops when someone is appreciated not despite their history but because their particular journey improves the workplace.

"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James observes, his eyes reflecting the quiet pride of someone who has discovered belonging. "It's about a community of different jobs and roles, a group of people who genuinely care."

The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an employment initiative. It functions as a strong assertion that organizations can evolve to welcome those who have known different challenges. In doing so, they not only change personal trajectories but improve their services through the special insights that care leavers provide.

As James moves through the hospital, his participation quietly demonstrates that with the right help, care leavers can succeed in environments once deemed unattainable. The embrace that the NHS has offered through this Programme represents not charity but acknowledgment of untapped potential and the profound truth that everyone deserves a support system that champions their success.