Celebrating National Care Leavers week at BWC
Leaders across Birmingham and Solihull joined together to celebrate Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust’s (BWC) commitment to the Universal Family Programme, part of the organisation’s pledge to provide care leavers with access to employment, education and training opportunities within the NHS and our communities.
The programme is led by BWC on behalf of the NHS in Birmingham and Solihull and has been rolled out across all 42 integrated care systems in the NHS over the past year.
A round-table discussion took place at Birmingham Children’s Hospital where leaders pledged to continue supporting care leavers as they navigate the transition from leaving the care system to living and working independently.
Representatives from the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board, St Basils, DWP, West Midlands Combined Authority, Local Government Association, and Birmingham City Council took part in the event where they heard more about the national programme and listened to the experience of a care leaver who now works at BWC as part of the wellbeing team.
Raffaela Goodby, Chief People Officer said: “It was an important milestone for us to recognise the progress in supporting care experienced young people in Birmingham with over two thousand people leaving the care system every year in the city.
“I am grateful for the strong partnerships we have in place with other organisations where we can work together to offer love and support to care experienced young people
“I am confident that by working together with partners in Birmingham and Solihull, we can improve our access to the skills and knowledge of those leaving the care system.”
One of the individuals who has secured employment with the Trust was James Stokes. The Wellbeing Administrator was one of the first ever care leavers to take part in the programme.
James said: “My role within the Trust includes supporting new starters and finding resources to help staff.
“The pilot scheme has been successful. I am really proud to be a care leaver within BWC and the NHS who have taken a chance with me.
“I hope this changes the lives of many more young care leavers t in the future. I am looking forward to continuing to progress in my role and being an ambassador for the Universal Family Programme.”
Lawrence Kelly, BWC Head of Programmes and Partnerships said: “The Universal Family Programme is really important to each individual it impacts but its reach is much wider.
“The programme increases confidence and strengthens people’s own identity whilst achieving accreditation and sustainable, purposeful employment.
“We continue to develop an inclusive, community workforce which is culturally representative and richly diverse and knowledgeable; we proudly celebrate our passion for homegrown local talent whilst challenging preconceived misconceptions of care leavers.”
We are taking part in an NHS Universal Family webinar on Tuesday 29th October with attendees from across the UK including DWP, Councils, NHS providers and ICB attendees. You can follow the national movement using #NCLW24 on social media or by accessing Care Leavers Wanted - Care Leaver Covenant or #careleaverswanted
For more information check out more about the Care Leavers Covenant.