최고위과정(ACE)

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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 barely make a sound as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a "how are you."

James carries his identification not merely as a security requirement but as a declaration of belonging. It sits against a neatly presented outfit that gives no indication of the difficult path that led him to this place.

What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His presence reveals nothing of the fact that he was among the first recruits 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 controlled but carrying undertones of feeling. His statement captures the core 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 transitioned from the care system.

The statistics paint a stark picture. Care leavers frequently encounter poorer mental health outcomes, money troubles, accommodation difficulties, and diminished educational achievements compared to their age-mates. Behind these impersonal figures are human stories of young people who have maneuvered through a system that, despite best intentions, frequently fails in offering the stable base that forms most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS England's commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a significant change in systemic approach. At its heart, it accepts that the whole state and civil society should function as a "collective parent" for those who haven't known the stability of a typical domestic environment.

Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have charted the course, creating structures that rethink how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can extend opportunities to care leavers.

The Programme is detailed in its methodology, beginning with thorough assessments of existing practices, creating management frameworks, and obtaining executive backing. It acknowledges that effective inclusion requires more than lofty goals—it demands practical measures.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James began his journey, they've developed a reliable information exchange with representatives who can offer help and direction on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.

The standard NHS recruitment process—rigid and often daunting—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now highlight attitudinal traits rather than numerous requirements. Application procedures have been reconsidered to address the unique challenges care leavers might experience—from not having work-related contacts to facing barriers to internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme understands that beginning employment can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the support of parental assistance. Concerns like travel expenses, identification documents, and bank accounts—considered standard by many—can become significant barriers.

The brilliance of the Programme lies in its thorough planning—from clarifying salary details to providing transportation assistance until that essential first wage disbursement. Even ostensibly trivial elements like break times and workplace conduct are deliberately addressed.

For James, whose NHS journey has "transformed" his life, the Programme delivered more than a job. It offered him a sense of belonging—that elusive quality that develops when someone feels valued not despite their past but because their distinct perspective enhances the workplace.

"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James notes, his eyes reflecting the quiet pride of someone who has discovered belonging. "It's about a collective of different jobs and roles, a team of people who genuinely care."

The NHS Universal Family Programme embodies more than an work program. It functions as a powerful statement that systems can change to embrace those who have experienced life differently. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but enrich themselves 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 flourish in environments once thought inaccessible. The embrace that the NHS has extended through this Programme signifies not charity but recognition of hidden abilities and the fundamental reality that each individual warrants a family that champions their success.