- Community substance misuse service
We are With You - Darlington
Assessment report published 27 October 2026
Contents
Ratings - Community-based substance misuse services
Our view of the service
We inspected We Are With You Darlington on 30 June and 1 July 2026.
We Are With You Darlington provides a community-based substance misuse service for adults, children, young people and families across Darlington. The service delivers free, confidential assessment, treatment, recovery and harm reduction interventions for people affected by drug and alcohol misuse. It supports individuals at all stages of their recovery journey, from those seeking advice and early intervention through to those requiring structured treatment and ongoing recovery support.
The service offers a range of evidence-based interventions including comprehensive assessments, one-to-one keyworker support, psychosocial interventions, group work, structured recovery programmes and medical prescribing where appropriate. The service also provides education, employment and training support to help people achieve sustainable recovery and improve wider health and wellbeing outcomes.
A dedicated young people's and family service supports children, young people and families affected by substance misuse, providing targeted interventions, advice and specialist support. The service also operates a needle and syringe exchange programme, supplying sterile injecting equipment and harm reduction advice to reduce the risks associated with drug use.
Services are delivered from 2 service hubs in Darlington town centre and through outreach work within local communities, improving accessibility for people who may face barriers to engaging with treatment. The service works collaboratively with local partners, including Darlington Borough Council and Recovery Connections, to provide an integrated approach to treatment, recovery and social reintegration.
The service aims to reduce the harms associated with substance misuse, promote recovery, improve physical and mental health outcomes, and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.
Darlington has an estimated total population of around 112,400 people. On the Index of Multiple Deprivation, Darlington ranks 73rd out of 153 local authorities in England, placing it close to the national average overall, though deprivation levels vary widely by neighbourhood.
Mental Capacity Act / Consent to Treatment Overview
All staff within the service had been trained in the Mental Capacity Act.
Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, in particular the five statutory principles. They were able to identify where mental capacity was a concern in a client consenting to treatment. Staff took all practical steps to enable clients to make their own decisions
We saw evidence in care records that staff assessed clients who might have impaired mental capacity and recorded capacity to consent appropriately. They did this on a decision-specific basis with regard to significant decisions.
When clients lacked capacity, staff made decisions in their best interests, recognising the importance of the person’s wishes, feelings, culture and history.
Staff ensured clients had agreed and signed consent to treatment forms, and they were accessible to all staff involved in the client’s care and treatment.
Staff ensured clients had agreed and signed confidentiality agreements in relation to who their personal information could be shared with. The confidentiality agreements were accessible to all staff involved in the client’s care and treatment.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with 11 clients during the inspection. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with comments including: “They are non-judgemental”, “They are serious about my wellbeing”, “My keyworker is exceptionally supportive and empathetic” and “It’s changed my life”. Feedback from people who used the service demonstrated that they felt safe, respected, supported and empowered throughout their recovery journey.
Clients consistently described staff as compassionate, knowledgeable, non-judgemental and committed to supporting their recovery. Clients said staff treated them with dignity and respect, involved them in decisions about their care and took time to understand the causes of their substance use rather than focusing solely on symptoms. Several people told us the service had changed their lives and highlighted the quality of the aftercare and ongoing support they received. Clients valued the welcoming environment, flexibility of staff and the personalised approach taken to their treatment and recovery goals.
Clients reported that staff understood their individual needs and made reasonable adjustments where required, including for autistic people, people with sensory needs, those with mobility difficulties and people who required language support. They felt listened to, involved in care planning and supported to access other services, including mental health support, employment opportunities, financial advice and community recovery activities. We saw evidence that staff worked collaboratively with clients to develop personalised recovery and risk management plans and supported them to maintain relationships, access education and employment, and improve their health and wellbeing.