In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes navigates his daily responsibilities with subtle confidence. His polished footwear move with deliberate precision as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a "good morning."

James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as a security requirement but as a declaration of belonging. It hangs against a well-maintained uniform that betrays nothing of the difficult path that brought him here.

What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His presence discloses nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort crafted intentionally for young people who have been through the care system.

"The Programme embraced me when I needed it most," James explains, his voice measured but revealing subtle passion. His statement encapsulates the core of a programme that seeks to reinvent how the vast healthcare system perceives care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.

The figures reveal a challenging reality. Care leavers commonly experience poorer mental health outcomes, money troubles, accommodation difficulties, and lower academic success compared to their peers. Beneath these impersonal figures are individual journeys of young people who have traversed a system that, despite best intentions, regularly misses the mark in providing the supportive foundation that shapes most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS England's promise to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a significant change in institutional thinking. Fundamentally, it acknowledges that the entire 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 charted the course, developing systems that rethink how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its methodology, starting from comprehensive audits of existing policies, forming management frameworks, and securing senior buy-in. It recognizes that meaningful participation requires more than good intentions—it demands tangible actions.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, 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—rigid and possibly overwhelming—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now focus on personal qualities rather than long lists of credentials. Application processes have been reimagined to consider the particular difficulties care leavers might experience—from lacking professional references to having limited internet access.

Maybe most importantly, the Programme acknowledges that entering the workforce can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be handling self-sufficiency without the safety net of familial aid. Issues like travel expenses, personal documentation, and banking arrangements—taken for granted by many—can become major obstacles.

The beauty of the Programme lies in its meticulous consideration—from clarifying salary details to providing transportation assistance until that critical first payday. Even seemingly minor aspects like coffee breaks and professional behavior are thoughtfully covered.

For James, whose professional path has "changed" his life, the Programme offered more than a job. It offered him a perception of inclusion—that elusive quality that emerges when someone senses worth not despite their past but because their distinct perspective enriches the workplace.

"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James comments, his expression revealing the quiet pride of someone who has discovered belonging. "It's about a community of different jobs and roles, a family of people who truly matter."

The NHS Universal Family Programme embodies more than an job scheme. It functions as a powerful statement that organizations can change to include those who have known different challenges. In doing so, they not only alter individual futures but enhance their operations through the unique perspectives that care leavers provide.

As James navigates his workplace, his involvement silently testifies that with the right support, care leavers can flourish in environments once thought inaccessible. The support that the NHS has extended through this Programme represents not charity but acknowledgment of overlooked talent and the fundamental reality that everyone deserves a family that supports their growth.