St Thomas Fund

Updated 23 August 2019

The St Thomas Fund provides residential substance misuse rehabilitation treatment based on cognitive behavioural therapy alongside a person-centred approach to eight people in a large Victorian house. It is situated in a residential area of Hove. It offers a safe, supportive and substance free environment in which people can make informed choices about their future.

The St Thomas Fund is part of Change, Grow, Live which is a registered charity providing support to those who have encountered problems with their drug and alcohol use. The service provides accommodation and support for clients who are receiving drug or alcohol detoxification treatment from a local community substance misuse service. All client detoxification medicines are prescribed by the community substance misuse service and regular prescriptions are made by a local GP.

The registered service we inspected is the first in a three-stage residential detoxification and rehabilitation pathway operated by St Thomas Fund. Clients who successfully complete detoxification treatment at the registered location are offered a place at the second service, to continue with the rehabilitation phase of their recovery process.

There is a registered manager in place. The service is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide accommodation for persons who require treatment for substance misuse.

The most recent comprehensive inspection of the service took place in March 2017. At the time of that inspection CQC did not rate substance misuse services. We found the service had breached one regulation because they had not renewed disclosure and barring service checks every three years, for all staff, in line with their own policy.

The requirement notice issued to the St Thomas Fund related to the following regulation under the Health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014:

• Regulation 12 HSCA (RA) Regulations 2014 Safe care and treatment

We conducted a follow up inspection of the service in October 2017 and found that the provider had made the required improvements.

Updated 23 August 2019

We rated St Thomas Fund as good because:

• Staff supported clients to safely complete their community drug or alcohol detoxification treatment with a local substance misuse service. St Thomas Fund provided accommodation for clients completing their community detoxification treatment programme in premises that were safe, clean, well equipped, well furnished and well maintained.
• Staff carried out a comprehensive assessment with each client, before they accessed the service. The assessment incorporated physical and mental health, plus social support needs. Staff referred clients to partner agencies as appropriate.
• The prescribing doctor at the local community substance misuse service conducted a face-to-face consultation with all clients before prescribing medicines to them. Staff reviewed the effects of medicines on patients’ physical health regularly and in line with National Institute of Health and Care Excellence guidance.
• Client care records contained a comprehensive, up-to-date risk assessment, which included a risk management plan in relation to potential risks associated with an unexpected exit from treatment.
• Client recovery plans were written with the joint input of the clients and their support worker. The recovery plans were holistic, addressed all the identified needs of the clients and based upon the strengths of the client, to enable the client to build upon their personal strengths towards recovery.
• Staff had completed all mandatory training, including safeguarding children and adults. Staff also completed a wide range of specialist training, to enable them to effectively carry out their roles.
• Staff were discreet, respectful, and responsive when caring for clients. They gave clients help, emotional support and advice when they needed it. Staff understood and respected the individual needs of each client.
• Clients expressed strong, positive views about the service accepting dogs, subject to individual risk assessment. They told us that not allowing dogs into the service would have constituted a significant barrier to accessing treatment for some people.
• Clients could give feedback on the service and their treatment and staff supported them to do this. Clients participated in recruitment interviews for new members of staff and service contract review meetings with commissioners.
• Clients had access to a range of activities and complementary therapies, such as massage, meditation, acupuncture, creative writing, mindfulness, yoga, cycling and badminton. Clients attended mutual aid groups throughout the week.
• The management team had the skills, knowledge and experience to perform their roles. They had a thorough understanding of the service and a clear understanding of how their service worked with other agencies, to meet the needs of clients.
• Staff expressed enthusiasm and pride in their work. They felt supported and respected by their managers and able to raise concerns without fear of retribution.

However:

• ​ At the time of our inspection, there was no risk assessment in place for a selection of exercise equipment in the garden.

Updated 23 August 2019