Forward Leeds - Kirkgate

Updated 18 September 2026

We inspected Forward Leeds - Kirkgate on 12 and 13 May 2026.

Forward Leeds- Kirkgate was registered with CQC in July 2023 to deliver the following regulated activities: Diagnostic and screening procedures and Treatment of disease, disorder or injury. The service had a registered manager.

We visited the following locations as part of the assessment:

• 3 Armley Court in Armley
• Kirkgate in Leeds City Centre
• Irford House in Seacroft

Forward Leeds also includes 5 Ways which is used by clients who have successfully completed their treatment pathway and are in unstructured treatment. 5 Ways offers a range of groups and activities that support abstinence and help sustain recovery.

At this assessment we identified no breaches of regulations

At this assessment we assessed 1 assessment service group; community-based substance misuse services where we assessed all 34 quality statements.

This is the first assessment of this service.

We rated the service as Outstanding.

Updated 9 December 2025

We inspected Forward Leeds - Kirkgate on 12 and 13 May 2026.

Forward Leeds is a partnership organisation in Leeds which provides support for adults and young people, who require support with alcohol or drug misuse. The service operates from three hubs in the Seacroft, Armley and Kirkgate areas of the city. It had approximately 4000 active clients at the time of inspection. It employed approximately 350 staff.

The service has been registered with the Care Quality Commission since April 2023 to carry out the following regulated activities:

• Treatment of disease, disorder or injury.
• Diagnostic and screening procedures.

The provider works with several partner organisations by subcontracting them to deliver different areas of the service but remains the main contract holder. This includes the local NHS Mental Health Trust, who support clients with a dual diagnosis of mental health issues and substance misuse problems and provide midwifery and hospital in reach services.

There are also two charities who support the family intervention work, harm reduction work, alcohol detoxification and assertive outreach.

At this inspection we assessed all 34 quality statements. We rated the service as outstanding because:

• There was a truly holistic team approach to assessing, planning and delivering care and treatment to people who used services.
• There were effective referral and admission processes in place. The service was proactive in raising awareness about the service and ensuring people within the area could access treatment. This included people less likely to access the service.
• The service was very proactive in the recruitment and training of volunteers.
• We found the continuing development of staff skills, competence and knowledge was recognised as being integral to ensuring high-quality care. Staff and volunteers were proactively supported to acquire new skills and share best practice.
• Feedback from people who used the service, those who were close to them and stakeholders was continually positive about the way staff supported people. Clients we spoke with told us staff went the extra mile and the care they received exceeded their expectations.
• Staff had close links with external agencies and stakeholders. The systems to manage and share the information that was needed to deliver effective care were fully integrated and provided information across teams and services. This was reflected in a range of joint working arrangements which help to provide joined up care.
• The involvement of other organisations and the local community was integral to how services were planned and ensured that services met people’s needs. There were innovative approaches to providing integrated person-centred pathways of care that involved other service providers, particularly for vulnerable people within the community or those least likely to access the service.
• Leaders had a very good understanding of the services they managed and could explain clearly how teams worked to provide high quality care.
• Staff were extremely positive about managers and leaders, describing them as visible, supportive, and approachable.
• Staff and leaders at all levels could describe and give examples of innovations and quality improvements initiatives which were in place and how they helped shape and improve client care.

Updated 14 June 2019