Archived: Sandwell Alcohol Service

We do not currently rate independent standalone substance misuse services.

We found the following areas of good practice:

• Clients told us that they felt valued and respected by staff in a safe and supportive environment. Staff promoted choice and dignity during their interactions with clients.
• Positive outcomes for clients using the service was above the national average. Re-presentation rates following treatment were low. The service was meeting local and national referral to assessment targets for clients new to the service.
• The service had built effective links with other organisations including the police, probationary service and health services. There was evidence of close working with local safeguarding structures and social services. The service provided outreach work in the community to promote inclusion and access for clients across the borough.
• Staff completed risk assessments and care plans that demonstrated an awareness of individual clients needs. Staff provided harm reduction advice and psychosocial interventions to aid clients recovery.
• Staff had access to mandatory training and additional specialist training to ensure they were suitably skilled and qualified. Supervision of staff took place frequently and all staff had received an appraisal in the 12 months prior to our inspection. Disclosure barring checks were completed and professional registration was monitored for qualified staff.
• Staff adhered to national guidance for the prescription of medication. The service worked with local general practitioners to ensure physical health checks were completed prior to commencement of community detoxification programmes.
• Interview rooms had alarms for staff  to use and these were checked weekly. All client and staff areas were visibly clean and tidy and the clinic room in use by the service was well equipped. Regular checks were made of fridge temperatures used for the storage of medication and records were maintained to evidence this.
• Staff morale was high. Feedback from staff we spoke with was that the team worked well together and supported each other when required. Local and regional managers were accessible and all staff felt able to raise concerns if necessary.

However:

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

• The service did not have clear procedures in place for the safe storage and dispensing of prescription pads. We made the registered manager aware of this and action was taken to improve this following our inspection.
• All care records did not show evidence of being written in a style that evidenced client involvement.
• The provider had not carried out a satisfaction survey for clients using the service.