‘You’re Welcome’ (YW) quality criteria sets out principles that will help health services (including non-NHS provision) become young people friendly. Although a voluntary initiative; its relevance is highlighted in a number of Government strategies and its profile is increasing locally and nationally.
First published in 2005, the ‘You’re Welcome’ quality criteria support implementation of Standard 4 of the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services. Updated in 2007, the second edition covers ten topic areas which include Sexual and Reproductive Health and CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).
The ‘You’re Welcome’ quality criteria aim to improve acceptability, accessibility and quality of services for young people and therefore choice. The criteria provide important guidance to support commissioning and service delivery based on good practice within health services regardless of setting. ‘You’re Welcome’ is a way to enable young people to access appropriate health services which meet their needs and to engage young people, laying the foundations for them to be life-long effective health service users.
‘ Many local health services have signed up to You’re Welcome and I look forward to all local health services using it as a tool for local commissioning to address the specific health needs of young people.’
Minister of State for Public Health, Gillian Merron
