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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 smart shoes move with deliberate precision as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the universal currency of a "hello there."

James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as institutional identification but as a testament of inclusion. It rests against a pressed shirt that offers no clue of the difficult path that brought him here.

What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not visible on the surface. His presence gives away 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.

"It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me," James reflects, his voice measured but revealing subtle passion. His remark captures the heart of a programme that strives to reinvent how the vast healthcare system views care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have emerged from the care system.

The numbers paint a stark picture. Care leavers frequently encounter poorer mental health outcomes, money troubles, housing precarity, and lower academic success compared to their contemporaries. Beneath these impersonal figures are personal narratives of young people who have traversed a system that, despite genuine attempts, regularly misses the mark in offering the supportive foundation that shapes most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, initiated in January 2023 following NHS England's promise to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a substantial transformation in institutional thinking. At its core, it accepts that the whole state and civil society should function as a "collective parent" for those who haven't experienced the stability of a typical domestic environment.

Ten pioneering healthcare collectives across England have charted the course, establishing systems that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.

The Programme is detailed in its methodology, initiating with comprehensive audits of existing practices, creating oversight mechanisms, and securing executive backing. It recognizes that meaningful participation requires more than lofty goals—it demands practical measures.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they've developed a reliable information exchange with representatives who can provide assistance and counsel on mental health, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The traditional NHS recruitment process—rigid and possibly overwhelming—has been thoughtfully adapted. Job advertisements now highlight character attributes rather than long lists of credentials. Application procedures have been redesigned to accommodate the unique challenges care leavers might experience—from not having work-related contacts to having limited internet access.

Possibly most crucially, the Programme acknowledges that entering the workforce can present unique challenges for care leavers who may be navigating autonomy without the support of family resources. Matters like commuting fees, proper ID, and banking arrangements—taken for granted by many—can become substantial hurdles.

The brilliance of the Programme lies in its meticulous consideration—from explaining payslip deductions to providing transportation assistance until that essential first payday. Even apparently small matters like rest periods and office etiquette are carefully explained.

For James, whose NHS journey has "transformed" his life, the Programme provided more than employment. It gave him a perception of inclusion—that elusive quality that develops when someone feels valued not despite their past but because their unique life experiences enriches the institution.

"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James comments, his gaze showing the quiet pride of someone who has secured his position. "It's about a family of different jobs and roles, a group of people who truly matter."

The NHS Universal Family Programme represents more than an job scheme. It stands as a bold declaration that organizations can evolve to embrace those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but enrich themselves through the distinct viewpoints that care leavers provide.

As James moves through the hospital, his participation silently testifies that with the right support, care leavers can succeed in environments once considered beyond reach. The arm that the NHS has extended through this Programme signifies not charity but acknowledgment of overlooked talent and the profound truth that all people merit a community that believes in them.