The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated Acquiesce Ltd and SMS Service Acquiesce 2, in Bolton, Greater Manchester, as outstanding following inspections in August.
Acquiesce Ltd and SMS Service Acquiesce 2, both run by Substance Misuse Service Acquiesce Ltd, are two services providing accommodation for people who require treatment for substance misuse. Inspectors visited Devonshire House and St Michael’s House in Bolton where people resided during their treatment, as well as All Saints Street, also in Bolton, where people attended daily for their treatment sessions seven days a week.
Acquiesce Ltd was previously rated as outstanding and this was CQC’s first inspection of SMS Service Acquiesce 2. The inspections were carried out as part of CQC’s continual checks on the safety and quality of mental health services.
Following the inspection CQC has rated both services as outstanding for being caring, responsive and well-led and rated them as good for being safe and effective.
Craig Howarth, CQC deputy director of mental health in the north, said:
“At both Acquiesce services, we found exemplary services which had an inclusive and transparent culture. Every person, whether staff, people using the service, or their families, felt genuinely heard, respected, and valued.
“Kind and caring staff went above and beyond to enable people to feel fully cared for and empowered them to live full and happy lives.
“People told us it was the best rehabilitation service they had been to, and people who’d previously stayed at the service said it saved their lives and they wouldn’t be here today if staff hadn’t provided them with the tools and support to overcome their condition.
“We saw staff go the extra mile to ensure people could carry on with their lives. For example, some people had been able to return to employment, and they had learnt new skills to move onto independent living. Staff also supported people to live healthier lives and supported them to attend exercise, meditation and massage classes whilst at the service.
“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 and empowering them to achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives. Other services should look to this report to see if there’s anything to learn from it.”
Inspectors found:
- The services understood people’s wishes fully, and the worked hard to uphold these, so people could live their best lives as independently as possible.
- Staff described an open culture where people’s safety was a top priority.
- Staff were actively encouraged and appreciated for raising concerns about safety giving ideas for improvements.
- Leaders ensured there were always enough skilled staff to deliver safe care to people.
- People said they were fully supported and could contact staff out of hours if they needed additional assistance.
- Leaders planned and organised services with people and communities, including those from minority groups and those where outcomes were known to be poorer.
- Staff spoke about the people they supported in a warm, nurturing manner, demonstrating deep respect for their individuality and emotional wellbeing.
- The services fully involved people in their care and treatment plans, and everything was explained to them clearly.