Young people accessing support or treatment for alcohol and drugs: standards - easy read

The 8 Key Standards

Standard 1. Information should be easy to find and understand

You should be able to find clear information about where to get help.

Your family, friends, or someone you trust should also be able to find this information.

The information should explain what support is available and how to ask for help.

Standard 2. Have choices about the help you get

Support should be about what matters to you.

You should be able to choose from different types of help.

You can have an independent advocate speak up for you. You can find out more online: https://www.siaa.org.uk/find-an-advocate/

Standard 3. Support should be easy to access

You should be able to get help in a way that works for you either online, by phone, or face-to-face.

You should have choices about appointment times and places.

You should be able to bring someone you trust to appointments.

Missing an appointment should not mean your support stops.

Standard 4. Good support takes time

Services should take time to get to know you and build trust.

With the help of a support worker you should be able to set goals that are right for you.

You will get your own support plan. This belongs to you and should help you work at your own pace.

Standard 5. Respect and trust are important

You should be treated kindly and without judgement.

Support should stay the same. The people giving you support should share information with each other so you do not have to repeat your story.

Services should work together smoothly if you move from child to adult services.

Standard 6. Your safety

What you tell us will stay private unless you are in danger and need extra help to stay safe.

Services should give you information about what confidentiality means.

Standard 7. Services should care about your whole life

If you need help with other things, like your mental health, services should help you find it.

Support should look at anything else in your life that is worrying you and you want to talk about.

Standard 8. Your voice matters

Services should ask what you think and use your feedback to improve.

You can make a complaint if you are not happy and you will get support to do this.

What you say will be listened to and taken seriously.