Ara Recovery for All is proud to share that our gambling harms treatment and support service has received an excellent report following a recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection.

The inspection, carried out in June and July 2025, assessed our work across Wales and the South West of England as part of the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN). CQC explored our services through their five key inspection questions: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.

The report highlights Ara’s commitment to providing free, high-quality, evidence-based treatment for people experiencing gambling harms, as well as our focus on inclusivity, safeguarding, and continuous improvement.

What CQC Found

Safe
CQC found a positive culture of safety and openness within Ara. Staff were confident in raising concerns, safeguarding responsibilities were well understood, and robust recruitment and training practices were in place. Risks were regularly assessed and managed, with people telling inspectors that staff were knowledgeable, supportive, and effective.

Effective
Support was always tailored to the individual, based on thorough assessments and aligned with national best practice, including NICE guidelines. CQC noted that interventions helped people make positive changes in their lives, with data showing strong outcomes. One person told inspectors:

“This service has been an incredible help to myself. Supporting me through relapse, emotional and mental challenges. I’ve learned tools to move forward and continue in my recovery. It’s an invaluable service.”

Caring
Staff were described as compassionate, respectful, and non-judgemental, always treating people with dignity. Service users said they felt listened to and supported in ways that met their needs, whether through face-to-face sessions or remote support.

Responsive
Ara was recognised for its strong focus on inclusivity and person-centred support. Each individual had a personalised care plan developed collaboratively, with flexible access to sessions. Feedback was regularly gathered from people and staff, ensuring services continuously evolved to meet real needs.

Well-led
The report praised Ara’s experienced and approachable leadership team, who promote a culture of learning and improvement. Governance systems ensured independence from gambling industry influence, and partnerships across sectors—from prisons to schools—strengthened the reach and impact of Ara’s work.

What People Told Inspectors

The most powerful part of the report comes from the voices of those who use our services:

• “The service was unbelievable… meeting my support worker has changed my life.”
• “For a service that’s completely free of charge, I never knew it existed… they never missed a session, always on time and on point. It ticked every box plus more than I thought it would.”
• “Ara is a dedicated and effective partner whose work has a clear and positive impact.”

Our Commitment

At Ara, we remain dedicated to providing safe, effective, and compassionate support to anyone affected by gambling harms. This report reflects the incredible hard work of our staff and the courage of the people we support.

We want to thank our service users, partners, and commissioners for their trust and feedback, which help us keep improving. And above all, we want to recognise our team, whose commitment to recovery and positive change shines through every part of this report.

Need Support?

Ara provides free, confidential help for anyone affected by gambling harms. If you or someone you know would like support, you can find out more and get in touch here: Ara Gambling Harms Support Service

You can download and read the full Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection report for Ara’s gambling harms support service here:

Download the full CQC report (PDF)