Live-in treatment quality standard

An evidence-informed framework for live-in treatment for children and young people in Ontario.

Read and download the Live-in treatment quality standard

Some young people and families need more support

Live-in treatment provides intensive, around-the-clock care for young people facing complex mental health and substance use health challenges. Live-in treatment programs can differ in their approach, accessibility, and outcomes, making it important to have a clear, shared vision for high-quality treatment.

Our Live-in treatment quality standard brings together research evidence, knowledge from across the sector, and lived and living expertise to guide high-quality live-in treatment services across Ontario.

Did you know?

Work on the Live-in treatment quality standard began in 2024. Since then, partners and communities from across Ontario — including young people, caregivers, service providers and other sector partners — have helped shape the standard by sharing their experiences, perspectives, and expertise.

Connecting to system transformation initiatives

The Live-in treatment quality standard is part of broader efforts to strengthen intensive treatment across Ontario. It connects with many system transformation initiatives, including the Levels of care quality standard and is purposefully aligned with the Ontario Intensive Treatment Pathway's Clinical and Operational Standards.

Together, this work supports a more coordinated approach to live-in treatment, reduces variation in care, and helps improve access to consistent, evidence-informed services.

I've seen this standard come to life through the many voices and expertise from across the sector. The standard brings these perspectives together into a shared vision for high-quality live-in treatment.

— Alexandra Tucci, Research Coordinator.

Resources and implementation supports

Start here

Live-in treatment quality standard

Explore the live-in treatment approach, and the core principles that guide planning, delivery, and implementation.

Informational two-pager

A snapshot of what the standard is, why it matters, and how it supports better care for children, young people, and caregivers.

Quality standards placemat

A visual overview of quality standards and how they support better outcomes for children, young people, and their families.

Plan and implement

A guide to implementing the quality standard

A practical guide to implementing the Knowledge Institute's quality standards using our Plan, Do, Sustain approach.

Navigating the implementation of quality standards: Barriers and strategies

This resource identifies common implementation barriers and strategies to help organizations adapt the standard to their local context.

Why live-in treatment?

Intensive services, including live-in treatment, were identified as a priority through our quality standard topic selection process, and reaffirmed as a key area for standard development through the Ontario Intensive Treatment Pathway (OITP).