CQC: Forward Leeds Earns Outstanding Rating for Second Time

• Forward Leeds, led by Waythrough, has achieved an "outstanding" rating from the CQC for the second time following a May inspection.
• The service was rated outstanding for being caring, effective, responsive, and well-led, and good for being safe.
• CQC officials praised the exceptional service, dedicated staff, and overwhelmingly positive feedback from individuals receiving care.
• Forward Leeds supports people with alcohol and drug issues through one-to-one support, groups, and activities focused on abstinence and sustained recovery.
• The organization also holds the Leeds Domestic Violence and Abuse Quality Mark for its high standard of practice in supporting those affected by domestic violence.

Testimonials included one person stating they lacked words to describe the staff's helpfulness, while another credited the staff with saving their life, consistently treating them with dignity and respect.

Forward Leeds, a vital service managed by Waythrough, has once again been awarded an "outstanding" rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This significant achievement marks the second time the organization has received the highest possible commendation from the UK's independent health and social care regulator. The CQC's assessment, conducted in May, recognized Forward Leeds for its exceptional provision of support to individuals grappling with alcohol and drug-related challenges.

The service is dedicated to assisting people in achieving their recovery objectives, which frequently involve abstinence and sustained sobriety. It offers a comprehensive suite of interventions, including personalized one-to-one counseling, group therapy sessions, and various activities designed to empower individuals on their path to recovery. This consistent high performance positions Forward Leeds as a leading example within the sector for Leeds drug alcohol recovery CQC standards.

The CQC's inspection forms part of its ongoing mandate to monitor the safety and quality of health services across the United Kingdom, aligning with broader UK health social care regulation. Following a thorough evaluation, Forward Leeds earned an "outstanding" designation across four key domains: being caring, effective, responsive, and well-led. The service also received a "good" rating for its safety protocols, demonstrating a robust overall commitment to high standards during the Forward Leeds CQC inspection.

Jayne Reid, the CQC's deputy director of operations for mental health in the north-east region, lauded the service as "exceptional." She highlighted the diligent efforts of both staff and leadership in delivering optimal care to those undergoing recovery. Reid emphasized that the compassionate and attentive staff consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of individuals' needs, often going above and beyond to ensure a comfortable and positive experience for service users, reinforcing the Waythrough CQC outstanding achievement.

The CQC report underscored overwhelmingly positive feedback from service users. Individuals expressed feeling secure and supported, conveying profound gratitude for the care they received. Testimonials included one person stating they lacked words to describe the staff's helpfulness, while another credited the staff with saving their life, consistently treating them with dignity and respect. This direct feedback reinforces the human-centric approach of Forward Leeds and the impact of the Care Quality Commission Leeds assessment.

Staff members were particularly effective in supporting individuals to meet their personalized recovery goals, celebrating milestones such as achieving abstinence or reducing substance use, which instilled pride in service users. Beyond the CQC's commendation, Forward Leeds has also been awarded the Leeds Domestic Violence and Abuse Quality Mark by the local authority. This accolade acknowledges organizations that exhibit exemplary practices in identifying, responding to, and providing support to individuals affected by domestic violence and abuse, further broadening the service's impact and recognition. The CQC's Reid explicitly encouraged other services to review the report for valuable insights and potential learning opportunities.

Compliance officers and legal advisors for UK health and social care providers should review this CQC report as a benchmark for achieving 'outstanding' ratings, particularly regarding best practices in drug and alcohol recovery services and demonstrating effective leadership and patient-centred care.

Source: Original reporting via CQC.