Charis Primary Programme

Updated 7 July 2022

Charis Primary Programme is run by Tower Hamlets Mission. It is residential recovery programme for men between 21 and 65 who suffer from alcoholism or drug addiction. Charis offers a primary programme that has up to seven places. The primary programme is based on abstinence and follows the 12 steps approach through attending group work, individual key work and counselling for up to 26 weeks. The service does not take people that require detoxification and clients must be abstinent on admission. The service has been registered with the Care Quality Commission since 10 January 2011.

The service is registered to provide the following regulated activity: Accommodation for persons who require treatment for substance misuse.

A registered manager was in post at the time of the inspection.

There have been four inspections carried out by the CQC at Charis Primary Programme. The most recent was carried out September 2019 and the service was rated Outstanding. At the time of the inspection the service had three clients using the service.

As the current inspection took place during the Covid-19 pandemic we adapted our approach to minimise the risk of transmission to clients, staff and our inspection team. This meant that we limited the amount of time we spent in the service to prevent cross infection. We carried analysis of some evidence and documents remotely. We also carried out some interviews remotely. Our final telephone interview was completed on 13 May 2022.

What people who use the service say

We spoke with three clients at the service. Clients felt they were treated well. Their care plans were clearly outlined, and staff took time to review their care plans with them. They felt safe, and very involved in the decision-making process. They said that staff were intuitive about their needs and friendly. All felt that their lives had improved since they moved to the service and were positive about their futures.

We saw compliments in the form of letters, emails and cards written to the service dated 2022 from former clients and families. Some of these letters commented on how coping mechanisms and staff attitudes continued to positively impact their lives over 10 years after leaving the service to live independently.

Updated 7 July 2022

• The service provided an effective service for people who had a history of substance misuse issues in their recovery.
• The service had a strong, visible person-centred culture. Staff are highly motivated and inspired to offer care that is kind and promotes people’s dignity. Relationships between people who use the service, those close to them and staff are strong, caring, respectful and supportive.
• Staff involved clients in decisions about the service, when appropriate. The registered manager included clients in evaluating service policies and made changes in accordance to client feedback.
• Staff demonstrated an understanding of the potential issues facing vulnerable groups, for example, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual people (LGBTQ+); Black, Asian, minority ethnic (BAME) groups.
• Staff reported an overwhelmingly positive culture. They felt valued the open culture and felt that when concerns were raised they were taken seriously and where possible addressed.
• Governance arrangements are proactively reviewed and reflect best practice and risk were managed well.
• Clients were respected and valued as individuals and empowered as partners in their care. Consideration of people’s privacy and dignity was consistently embedded in everything that staff do.
• Staff regularly reviewed and updated care plans when clients' needs changed. Care plans reviews were personalised, detailed, thoughtful and recovery orientated.
• Staff took part in clinical audits monitor its quality of service and outcomes for clients. Outcomes were discussed daily multidisciplinary team. The registered manager reported that this ensured live oversight of the service which would address concerns immediately and share outcomes and learning with staff in a continuous basis.

Updated 7 July 2022

Charis Primary Programme is run by Tower Hamlets Mission. It is residential recovery programme for men between 21 and 65 who suffer from alcoholism or drug addiction.

Updated 13 September 2019