The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has again rated Forward Leeds as outstanding following an inspection in May.
Forward Leeds, led by Waythrough, supports people who are experiencing issues with alcohol and drugs. The service offers a range of one-to-one support, groups and activities that support people to meet their goals. This usually means abstinence and sustained recovery.
The inspection was carried out as part of CQC’s continual checks on the safety and quality of health services.
Following the inspection, CQC has rated the service as outstanding for being caring, effective, responsive and well-led, and good for being safe.
Jayne Reid, CQC deputy director of operations for mental health in the north-east, said:
“When we inspected Forward Leeds, we found an exceptional service where staff and leaders worked hard to provide the best possible care to people undergoing recovery. Kind and caring staff understood people’s needs and went the extra mile to help make their time at the service comfortable and happy.
“Feedback from people was overwhelmingly positive. People said they felt safe and supported and were extremely grateful for the care they received. One person said they had no words to describe how helpful staff had been to them. Another told us they felt they wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for staff, they had always treated them with dignity and respect and saved their life.
“Staff worked hard to support people with their individual goals within their recovery plans. People told us that staff praised them and made them feel proud when they reached milestones of abstinence or reduced their alcohol or substance use.
“Additionally, the service has achieved the Leeds Domestic Violence and Abuse Quality Mark, awarded by the local authority. This recognises organisations that demonstrate a high standard of practice in identifying, responding to and supporting people affected by domestic violence and abuse.
“Leaders and staff should be very proud of the findings in this report. It’s clear the service was committed to treating people as individuals ensuring their recovery goals are fully met. Other services should look to this report to see if there’s anything to learn from it.”
Inspectors found:
- A designated family staff team supported children of people at the service who had been affected by their parents’ condition.
- Leaders ensured staff used a holistic team approach to assessing, planning and delivering care and treatment to people.
- The service was very proactive in the recruitment and training of volunteers with many people choosing to stay on as volunteers after leaving treatment.
- Forward Leeds gave people a high degree of flexibility around appointment times and other aspects of care, saying they could contact staff whenever they needed.
- Leaders were closely involved with other organisations and the local community which was integral to how services were planned and ensured people’s needs were fully met.
- People and their families said they were provided with appropriately detailed information to meet their needs and were regularly updated.
- Staff were extremely positive about managers and leaders, describing them as visible, supportive, and approachable.