This inspection took place on 9, 10, 22 and 24 November 2016. The provider was given 24 hours' notice to make sure someone would be in. This was the first inspection of this service. Previously the service was known as Southampton Domiciliary Services and was registered at a different address. The provider is a registered charity and a not for profit organisation.

Hampshire Domiciliary Service offers a supported living service to people within their own homes or shared houses. People who use the service have learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and/or physical disabilities. People who use the service are supported with personal care, medicines, cooking, shopping, activities and other day to day tasks. At the time of this inspection 21 people were using the service.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People and relatives said the service was safe and they felt comfortable raising any safety concerns with staff. One person who used the service told us, “I like it here.”

Staff had completed training in how to protect people from harm and abuse and understood the different forms and potential signs of abuse. Staff told us they had confidence in the management team to deal with safeguarding issues promptly and effectively. Records showed safeguarding concerns were recorded and dealt with appropriately and promptly.

A thorough recruitment and selection process was in place which ensured staff had the right skills and experience to support people who used the service. Identity and background checks had been completed which included references from previous employers and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Contingency arrangements were in place in case of accidents or staff emergencies and on-call management arrangements were in place. Each person had a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP) which meant people could be evacuated safely in the event of a fire.

The arrangements for managing people’s medicines were safe. Medicines were stored securely and there were clear policies in place for supporting people with their medicines.

Risks to people’s health and safety were assessed and managed, without compromising people’s independence.

Staff training in key areas was up to date. Staff told us they felt confident to care for the people who used the service.

Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and how to apply this to people in their care. Staff understood the need to support people to make their own decisions and the role of best-interests decision-making.

People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and to have enough to eat and drink. People were supported to maintain their physical and mental health needs.

Relatives we spoke with said staff were caring. Comments included, “Staff care about their residents,” “Staff have a great relationship with clients, they talk regularly and are amenable” and “Staff are brilliant.”

Staff supported people to do the things they enjoyed and also encouraged independence with daily living. Relatives told us how staff had gone ‘over and above’ what was expected of them.

Support plans contained clear information about the person's level of independence as well as details of areas where staff support was required. Support plans detailed people's needs and preferences and risk assessments were in place where appropriate.

Relatives told us the service was well-led and described the registered manager and the management team as approachable. Relatives and staff told us there had been changes within the organisation due to a re-structuring exercise and things were more settled now.

There were systems in place to gather