Archived: The Claverings

We do not currently rate independent standalone substance misuse services.

We found the following issues that the service provider needs to improve:

• Medicines were not always stored at a safe temperature, and medicines incidents were not recorded to ensure that learning was taken forward. Relevant staff did not have regular medicines competence checks in place.

• Robust governance processes were not always in place. Complaints from clients were not always acknowledged or investigated.

• There was insufficient oversight of incidents to assess , monitor and learn from errors and near misses occurring at the service, to minimise future risks to staff and clients.

• Staff did not have sufficient training and professional development in their work including in working with clients with challenging behaviour, safeguarding children and adults, first aid, infection control, drug misuse, domestic violence, overdose prevention, dual diagnosis, and new psychoactive substances.

• Staff were not protected in line with the provider’s lone working policy when visiting clients on home visits.

However, we also found the following areas of good practice:

• Clients using the service were very positive regarding staff. Some clients linked their reduction in substance misuse directly to the support staff had provided.

• The service employed a Polish speaking staff member to meet the needs of the local population.

• The service worked effectively and productively with a range of other agencies.

• The service had made a number of changes following the CQC inspection of the other service run by the provider in the local area, so that significant improvements had been made in risk assessment, care planning, and frequency of medical reviews.

• The management team were aware of most areas requiring development and were committed to improving the service.