연락처 : UZ 이메일 : tajmoultrie@hotmail.co.uk

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 exchanges pleasantries with colleagues—some by name, others with the universal currency of a "good morning."

James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as a security requirement but as a testament of acceptance. It hangs against a well-maintained uniform that offers no clue of the tumultuous journey that brought him here.

What separates James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His presence gives away 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 spent time in care.

"It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me," James explains, his voice measured but tinged with emotion. His statement summarizes the heart of a programme that aims to transform how the vast healthcare system approaches care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.

The statistics tell a troubling story. Care leavers often face greater psychological challenges, money troubles, accommodation difficulties, and lower academic success compared to their age-mates. Behind these clinical numbers are personal narratives of young people who have traversed a system that, despite genuine attempts, regularly misses the mark in delivering the supportive foundation that forms 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 heart, it acknowledges that the whole state and civil society should function as a "communal support system" for those who have missed out on the security of a typical domestic environment.

A select group of healthcare regions across England have led the way, establishing systems that reimagine how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.

The Programme is detailed in its strategy, initiating with detailed evaluations of existing procedures, creating management frameworks, and obtaining executive backing. It understands that effective inclusion requires more than lofty goals—it demands concrete steps.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James started his career, they've established 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 conventional NHS recruitment process—structured and potentially intimidating—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now emphasize character attributes rather than numerous requirements. Application processes have been redesigned to consider the unique challenges care leavers might face—from missing employment history to having limited internet access.

Possibly most crucially, the Programme acknowledges that starting a job can present unique challenges for care leavers who may be navigating autonomy without the safety net of family resources. Issues like travel expenses, proper ID, and banking arrangements—assumed basic by many—can become significant barriers.

The beauty of the Programme lies in its attention to detail—from outlining compensation information to helping with commuting costs until that critical first salary payment. Even ostensibly trivial elements like rest periods and office etiquette are carefully explained.

For James, whose career trajectory has "changed" his life, the Programme delivered more than employment. It offered him a feeling of connection—that ineffable quality that emerges when someone senses worth not despite their history but because their distinct perspective enriches the institution.

"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 family of different jobs and roles, a team of people who genuinely care."

The NHS Universal Family Programme exemplifies more than an employment initiative. It exists as a bold declaration that institutions can evolve to welcome 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 provide.

As James walks the corridors, his involvement quietly demonstrates that with the right help, care leavers can succeed in environments once considered beyond reach. The embrace that the NHS has extended through this Programme represents not charity but acknowledgment of hidden abilities and the fundamental reality that each individual warrants a support system that champions their success.