Vous êtes intervenant socioéducatif, vous avez suivi les formations RID Euromed, vous avez expérimenté auprès de publics, vous souhaitez partager vos expériences, bien ou mal vécues, avec des collègues, des pairs, cet espace est un lieu d’échanges mis à votre disposition.
A propos de moi
In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes carries himself with the measured poise of someone who has found his place. His smart shoes whisper against the floor as he exchanges pleasantries with colleagues—some by name, others with the universal currency of a "how are you."
James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as an employee badge but as a symbol of acceptance. It sits against a pressed shirt that gives no indication of the challenging road that led him to this place.
What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not visible on the surface. His demeanor discloses nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an undertaking designed specifically for young people who have experienced life in local authority care.
"It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me," James explains, his voice controlled but tinged with emotion. His observation captures the core of a programme that strives to transform how the massive healthcare system views care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.
The statistics reveal a challenging reality. Care leavers frequently encounter greater psychological challenges, economic uncertainty, housing precarity, and diminished educational achievements compared to their contemporaries. Underlying these clinical numbers are human stories of young people who have traversed a system that, despite best intentions, frequently fails in providing the supportive foundation that molds most young lives.
The NHS Universal Family Programme, established in January 2023 following NHS England's commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a profound shift in systemic approach. At its heart, it accepts that the whole state and civil society should function as a "collective parent" for those who have missed out on the stability of a conventional home.
A select group of healthcare regions across England have blazed the trail, developing structures that rethink how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.
The Programme is meticulous in its methodology, beginning with thorough assessments of existing practices, creating oversight mechanisms, and obtaining executive backing. It understands that effective inclusion requires more than lofty goals—it demands tangible actions.
In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James started his career, they've established a regular internal communication network with representatives who can provide support, advice, and guidance on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and inclusivity efforts.
The conventional NHS recruitment process—structured and often daunting—has been intentionally adjusted. Job advertisements now emphasize attitudinal traits rather than long lists of credentials. Applications have been redesigned to accommodate the particular difficulties care leavers might face—from lacking professional references to having limited internet access.
Perhaps most significantly, the Programme recognizes that entering the workforce can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the backup of family resources. Issues like commuting fees, personal documentation, and banking arrangements—considered standard by many—can become significant barriers.
The elegance of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from clarifying salary details to providing transportation assistance until that crucial first wage disbursement. Even ostensibly trivial elements like break times and workplace conduct are carefully explained.
For James, whose NHS journey has "transformed" his life, the Programme offered more than a job. It provided him a feeling of connection—that ineffable quality that grows when someone is appreciated not despite their history but because their particular journey enhances the organization.
"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James notes, his gaze showing the subtle satisfaction 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 exemplifies more than an job scheme. It functions as a powerful statement that institutions can adapt to embrace those who have navigated different paths. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but improve their services through the distinct viewpoints that care leavers contribute.
As James moves through the hospital, his participation silently testifies that with the right assistance, care leavers can thrive in environments once considered beyond reach. The arm that the NHS has extended through this Programme symbolizes not charity but appreciation of hidden abilities and the profound truth that everyone deserves a community that supports their growth.
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