London’s day centres, supported by the London Housing Foundation, have developed a set of quality standards specifically for the sector and all London day centres are encouraged to sign up.
Designed to make services ever more effective and to enhance the image of day centres, the standards were launched on 26th May 2010 in London.
What are the Day Centre Standards?
The five standards are a commitment to offer an effective approach to improving people’s lives, through services that:
1. Are accessible
2. Focus on change
3. Work with people who use the centre as partners
4. Are delivered with local authorities, agencies and communities
5. Employ excellent people
Download the Day Centre Standards Outline PDF
Why should we sign up to the Day Centre Standards?
Day centres have to perform a difficult balancing act – caught between the demands of many users for basic reactive services and the demands of local authorities to restrict services to people who are fully engaged with change. Public sector funding cuts are only adding to the challenges.
The standards provide a positive model for services which meet the needs of both users and funders, while maintaining the integrity and independence of the day centre tradition. They are both a guide to keeping the balance and proof that you are providing a quality service.
How do we sign up to the Day Centre Standards?
Signing up involves reviewing your existing services against a checklist provided in the standards pack. Centres which already have another quality mark are likely to meet most of the standards already. Where services do not meet the standards you will need to adapt them. Once you meet the standards, your Board of Trustees will need to review the evidence you have collected, and self-certify your organisation.
Can the Foundation can help us with implementation?
If you run a day centre in London, we may be able to help you. All centres are welcome to have an informal conversation with a consultant who can advise on what is needed to sign up. The Foundation also provides more in-depth support to selected day centres who need help to make significant change.
How the LHF may be able to help
