NHS: The Family They Never Had 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 smart shoes whisper against the floor as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a "how are you." James displays his credentials not merely as a security requirement but as a symbol of acceptance. It rests against a well-maintained uniform that betrays nothing of the difficult path that brought him here. What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His demeanor reveals nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort created purposefully 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 measured but tinged with emotion. His remark summarizes the heart of a programme that aims to revolutionize how the enormous healthcare system approaches care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system. The numbers paint a stark picture. Care leavers often face greater psychological challenges, money troubles, shelter insecurities, and diminished educational achievements compared to their peers. Underlying these impersonal figures are personal narratives of young people who have maneuvered through a system that, despite good efforts, often falls short in providing the nurturing environment 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 substantial transformation in organizational perspective.