Experts by Experience Panel
We want children and families to have more say about, and more power over, how services work. Services should be accountable for the experiences of the children and families they support but these experiences are not always captured or acted on.
At Foundations, we see the voices of children, young people and families as evidence in their own right. Lived experience shows us how services work in practice and keeps us focused on creating meaningful change.
Our Experts by Experience Panel
Established in 2024, our Panel brings together young people, parents and carers with lived experience across our areas of work. They play a central role in shaping Foundations’ direction – offering insight, challenge and recommendations, and acting as a critical friend to the organisation.
The Panel is supported by our Participation Framework, which sets out our ambition to share power with people who have lived experience. This includes our Ladder of Participation, describing different ways Experts by Experience can be involved – from sharing insights and giving feedback, through to making and owning decisions. Our aim is always to work at the highest level of participation that is appropriate.
How lived experience shapes our work
Experts by Experience are directly involved in projects across research, practice and policy. Their perspectives strengthen:
-
Practice Guides, where every guide blends What Works evidence with real experiences from children and families.
-
Delivery and evaluation projects, where lived experience informs commissioning decisions, shapes design and methods, and helps interpret findings and recommendations.
We back this with funding and practical support for our partners, so engagement is meaningful, accessible and well-supported.
Looking ahead
By April 2026, we will introduce lived experience representation on our Board – ensuring Experts by Experience help lead the organisation at the highest level.
Through these mechanisms, Foundations is building a culture in which lived experience expertise is valued alongside research and professional knowledge – ensuring that evidence about what works is always informed by the people it is designed to serve.
