The Care Quality Commission
  • Residential substance misuse service

Archived: Agricola House

17 Kirklees Street, Tottington, Bury, Lancashire, BL8 3NE (01204) 880023

Provided and run by:
Voyage Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

11 June 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with two people who had recently come to live at the home. They told us that they had been made to feel very welcome by the other people living there and the staff team. They both said that they felt safe at the home and their confidence was returning. One person said that the home was 'the best place I have been in my life.' Another said 'I like it.' Not everyone was able to communicate with us verbally. We saw that there were frequent and friendly interactions between people and the support worker. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly.

People were protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider had appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines.

One professional healthcare worker commented in the 2013 Annual Service Review that, 'The house is inviting and homely. Always spotlessly clean yet retains a warm settled environment setting'. A relative stated, 'Very homely and welcoming and always clean and tidy'.

We spoke with two bank workers. They told us that they had been made to feel welcome and had been well supported by the existing staff team. They said that they had shadowed support workers before working directly and unsupervised with people. They confirmed that they had received some training and more was planned. They felt safe and well prepared to work with people.

Prior to our visit we contacted the local authority commissioning team. They informed us that they had no concerns about the service provided.

30 July 2012

During a routine inspection

We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people using the service because some people had complex needs which meant they were not always able to tell us their experiences.

We looked at photographs with some people, which were used as memory aids and to help recall events. We saw that people were involved in a range of activities for example going out to see tribute bands, celebrating birthdays and potting plants for the garden.

People who were able to speak to us said they liked living at Agricola House and had made a lot of progress but that they were looking forward to moving on to a more independent living arrangement. One person said the staff 'got me what I like to eat.'

Where able people told us that they were well looked after by staff and were clear about the progress they had made during their stay. Other people were able to show us their daily planner so that they knew what was going to happen through the day, which reduced anxiety as they knew 'what was going to happen next.' Other people showed us detailed step by step processes that they followed to complete tasks for example attending to personal hygiene needs.

People who were able to speak to us told us that they felt safe. They said that if they had any worries or problems that they could speak to the manager, a staff member, their key worker or a relative. They said that they would be listened to and were confident that the issue would be sorted out. Three people were able to tell us that they had no concerns about Agricola House.

People told us they liked the staff and pictures showed staff supporting people in various activities. One person said that the staff had 'helped me to look after myself better so that now I can go back to be near my family.'