The Care Quality Commission
  • Community
  • Community substance misuse service

Archived: Addaction - Devon, Bridge Chambers

Bridge Chambers, The Strand, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 1HF (01271) 325232

Provided and run by:
We are With You

All Inspections

7, 8 January 2014

During a routine inspection

This was a scheduled inspection of Addaction Devon locality office in Barnstaple, although staff also provided people with support in many other locations such as GP surgeries, hospital and other meeting points.

We spoke with 11 people who used the service over the telephone and in person. We also met eight staff and spoke with them about the service, their role and responsibilities within it. Three people spoke with us after attending a 'Gateway' group, which helped them to learn about triggers to addictive behaviour and strategies to promote recovery. Everyone we spoke with was very positive about the service. We heard the service was responsive and staff were caring. For example, people told us they attended one to one meetings with a designated worker and found these very supportive. Comments we received about the service included 'I'm seen straight away when feeling unwell and it's helped stop me relapsing' and 'I'd be lost without them' and 'Absolutely brilliant, they got back to me straight away. There's always someone to talk to' and 'I've battled with addiction for so many years and things were spiralling out of control. When Addaction came into my life it was brilliant and they did everything they could to help me.'

We looked at five outcomes and the service was fully compliant with them all.

25 March 2013

During a routine inspection

This visit focussed on the Addaction locality office in Barnstaple, although staff also provided people with support in many other locations such as GP surgeries, hospital and other meeting points.

On 25 March 2013 we spoke with 12 people at a mutual aid group and heard about the other types of support available at the service. At these groups people worked together to overcome their drug and alcohol problems. Everyone we spoke with was very positive about the service. For example, people told us they attended one to one meetings with a designated worker and found these very supportive. Comments included 'this is a very friendly place to come to', 'I've found it quite inspirational', 'the holistic approach they follow here is much better' and 'I look forward to coming here every week'.

People were confident in the skills and knowledge of staff and recruitment systems were satisfactory. For example, one person said 'the groups are well run and the mutual sharing is done in a safe way'. Five staff we spoke with felt well supported and described the recruitment process as 'thorough'.

Addaction had quality assurance policies and procedures in place, which ensured service standards were maintained and where necessary improved. People were actively encouraged to give feedback in the waiting room. This had been summarised and actions taken were displayed so people could see how the service was improving.

The provider met all of the standards we looked at.