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 polished footwear move with deliberate precision 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 an employee badge but as a declaration of acceptance. It sits against a neatly presented outfit that gives no indication of the difficult path that brought him here.

What separates James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His demeanor reveals nothing of the fact that he was among the first participants of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an undertaking designed specifically for young people who have been through the care system.

"It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me," James says, his voice controlled but carrying undertones of feeling. His remark captures the heart of a programme that seeks to reinvent how the enormous healthcare system views care leavers—those frequently marginalized young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.

The statistics paint a stark picture. Care leavers commonly experience poorer mental health outcomes, economic uncertainty, accommodation difficulties, and diminished educational achievements compared to their age-mates. Beneath these clinical numbers are personal narratives of young people who have traversed a system that, despite best intentions, frequently fails in offering the supportive foundation that molds most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, established in January 2023 following NHS England's promise to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a significant change in organizational perspective. Fundamentally, it recognizes that the complete state and civil society should function as a "universal family" for those who haven't experienced the security of a typical domestic environment.

Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have charted the course, developing systems that reconceptualize how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.

The Programme is thorough in its strategy, beginning with detailed evaluations of existing practices, forming governance structures, and garnering leadership support. It understands that successful integration requires more than lofty goals—it demands concrete steps.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they've developed a regular internal communication network with representatives who can offer help and direction on personal welfare, HR matters, recruitment, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The standard NHS recruitment process—formal and possibly overwhelming—has been intentionally adjusted. Job advertisements now emphasize attitudinal traits rather than extensive qualifications. Application procedures have been redesigned to address the particular difficulties care leavers might face—from lacking professional references to facing barriers to internet access.

Possibly most crucially, the Programme understands that starting a job can pose particular problems for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the backup of parental assistance. Issues like travel expenses, identification documents, and banking arrangements—assumed basic 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 critical first salary payment. Even apparently small matters like break times and professional behavior are thoughtfully covered.

For James, whose career trajectory has "transformed" his life, the Programme provided more than a job. It offered him a feeling of connection—that intangible quality that emerges when someone is appreciated not despite their past but because their particular journey enriches the workplace.

"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 family of people who really connect."

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

As James walks the corridors, his presence quietly demonstrates that with the right support, care leavers can succeed in environments once considered beyond reach. The arm that the NHS has offered through this Programme represents not charity but recognition of hidden abilities and the fundamental reality that each individual warrants a community that believes in them.