Dmonster

About Us

NHS: Belonging in White Corridors

In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Universal Family Programme Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes navigates his daily responsibilities with subtle confidence. His polished footwear whisper against the floor as he exchanges pleasantries with colleagues—some by name, others with the NHS Universal Family Programme currency of a “good morning.”

James carries his identification not merely as institutional identification but as a testament of acceptance. It sits against a pressed shirt that offers no clue of the challenging road that brought him here.

What separates James from many of his colleagues is not visible on the surface. His bearing gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an initiative crafted for young people who have spent time in care.

“The Programme embraced me when I needed it most,” James explains, his voice measured but tinged with emotion. His observation encapsulates the heart of a programme that aims to revolutionize how the massive healthcare system approaches care leavers—those frequently marginalized young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.

The numbers reveal a challenging reality. Care leavers commonly experience poorer mental health outcomes, money troubles, shelter insecurities, and lower academic success compared to their contemporaries. Beneath these cold statistics are individual journeys of young people who have traversed a system that, despite best intentions, frequently fails in offering the stable base that forms most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS Universal Family Programme England’s pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, signifies a substantial transformation in institutional thinking. At its core, it acknowledges that the whole state and civil society should function as a “NHS Universal Family Programme family” for those who haven’t known the security of a traditional family setting.

Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have charted the course, developing systems that rethink how the NHS Universal Family Programme—one of Europe’s largest employers—can create pathways to care leavers.

The Programme is meticulous in its strategy, starting from detailed evaluations of existing policies, establishing management frameworks, and securing executive backing. It recognizes that effective inclusion requires more than noble aims—it demands practical measures.

In NHS Universal Family Programme Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they’ve established a reliable information exchange with representatives who can provide assistance and counsel on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and inclusivity efforts.

The traditional NHS Universal Family Programme recruitment process—structured and possibly overwhelming—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now focus on personal qualities rather than extensive qualifications. Application procedures have been redesigned to consider the unique challenges care leavers might encounter—from lacking professional references to having limited internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme understands that starting a job can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be navigating autonomy without the safety net of family resources. Issues like transportation costs, identification documents, and financial services—considered standard by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The brilliance of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from explaining payslip deductions to offering travel loans until that crucial first payday. Even seemingly minor aspects like rest periods and office etiquette are carefully explained.

For James, whose professional path has “revolutionized” his life, the Programme delivered more than a job. It gave him a sense of belonging—that elusive quality that develops when someone is appreciated not despite their history but because their unique life experiences enriches the institution.

“Working for the NHS Universal Family Programme 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 family of people who truly matter.”

The NHS Universal Family Programme embodies more than an job scheme. It exists as a bold declaration that systems can adapt to welcome those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but improve their services through the distinct viewpoints that care leavers bring to the table.

As James navigates his workplace, his involvement subtly proves that with the right assistance, care leavers can succeed in environments once deemed unattainable. The embrace that the NHS Universal Family Programme has provided through this Programme represents not charity but acknowledgment of untapped potential and the profound truth that all people merit a NHS Universal Family Programme that believes in them.