The Seven Standards
The seven LILAC standards are based on the well–known 'Hear By Right' approach to participation but they have been developed to closely reflect the nature of the Care system. They have been developed by care–experienced young people to reflect what is important to them.
Each standard is backed by a number of criteria to ensure a robust methodology that focuses on quality over processes. The standards and criteria cover three main areas of participation:
- The involvement of service users in the planning and evaluation of services
- The involvement of service users in tailoring individual packages of care
- The effectiveness of mechanisms to handle complaints
The seven LILAC standards are:
- 1 Shared values
- The local authority adopts shared values that enable children and young people to be actively involved in services that directly affect them, including honesty about what can and cannot be changed and any limitations due to the organisation's responsibilities.
- 2 Style of Leadership
- Senior managers and elected members adopt a style of leadership that champions and promotes the involvement of children and young people at all levels of the local authority. They demonstrate the need to work in partnership with children and young people.
- 3 Structures
- Structures are in place to ensure that children and young people are involved in the planning and evaluation of services and that these structures are flexible. They do not rely on the involvement of a small articulate group of children and young people, but take into account different abilities, experiences and skills.
- 4 Staff
- Staff are expected to support and contribute to practice and policy on the active involvement of children and young people in services that affect them.
- 5 Recruitment and Selection
- Children and young people should be involved in the recruitment and selection of all staff and carers who will work with them or be responsible for them.
- 6 Care Planning and Review
- Children and young people should feel involved in the decision making that affects their lives and all decisions about them should be fully explained. All decision making, planning and review proc- esses should be easily understood.
- 7 Complaints and Advocacy
- Children and young people should know what to do if they are not happy with the way they are being treated and feel that their complaint will be listened to and treated seriously. Children and young people should have access to an advocate if they wish and the Authority should promote the advocacy service. They should receive feedback on the process and outcome of their complaint and support in coming to terms with the decision.
