Updated 11 August 2023
STARS is provided by the Forward trust, an organisation that has supported people to break the cycles of addiction or crime since 1991. The Forward trust has over 70 separate service delivery projects, with more than 20,000 clients per year supported by 700 staff and 150 volunteers.
STARS offers brief interventions, structured groups, outreach, a rough sleepers initiative, prison in-reach, a needle exchange, blood borne virus testing, naloxone training and an ambulatory detox (an outpatient detox from drugs and alcohol providing assessment, prescriptions, and monitoring) for clients. The service also prescribed opiate substitute medication and psychosocial treatment. Services are aimed at recovery and rehabilitation and includes assessment, information, advice, treatment, and referral for residents of Southend-on-Sea.
This service was registered by CQC on 6 May 2022. Prior to this, services were provided by another organisation. This was the first inspection of this service since it was registered.
At the time of inspection, the service had a registered manager and nominated individual.
The service was registered to provide Treatment of disease, disorder, or injury.
What people who use the service say
We spoke with 6 clients during the inspection.
Clients we spoke with told us staff were respectful, polite, and knowledgeable and that there were good staffing levels.
Clients said treatments were effective, and the groups such as SMART recovery and the women’s group were helpful, clients also said the service provided useful gym sessions.
Clients told us they were given a physical health check and referred to specialists if needed.
Clients said there was a quick referral process and collaborative care planning with other services.
Clients told us that the service was clean and comfortable, they enjoyed having use of a kitchen and dining area and said that the clothing exchange was useful and a positive addition to the service.
Clients said that care and treatments were 'client -led' and they were able to make suggestions about what support, groups and one-to-ones they would find useful.