The service is a domiciliary care agency which provides personal care to people living in their own homes. It provides a service to older and younger adults, people living with dementia, autistic spectrum disorder, physical disability, mental health needs and sensory impairment. The service enables people living in Southampton, Eastleigh and the surrounding areas to maintain their independence at home. At the time of our inspection there were 21 people using the service, who had a range of health and social care needs which were met by 20 staff.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. At this inspection we found the service continued to meet all relevant fundamental standards. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People were protected from avoidable harm, neglect, abuse and discrimination by staff who understood their responsibilities to safeguard people. Risks to people were assessed and plans were devised to minimise potential risks, whilst promoting people’s independence. Medicines were administered safely, as prescribed and in the manner individuals preferred. Prospective staff underwent pre-employment checks to ensure they were suitable to provide care for people made vulnerable by the circumstances in their own home. There were always enough staff with the right experience and skills mix, to provide care and support to meet people’s needs.

Staff were enabled to develop and maintain the necessary skills to meet people’s needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the provider’s policies and systems supported this practice.

The registered manager had developed effective partnerships with relevant professionals and quickly referred people to external services such as GPs, community nursing and learning disability teams, dieticians, opticians and dentists, when required to maintain their health. People were supported staff to maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in their homes, which reduced the risk of infection. Staff followed required standards of food safety and hygiene, when preparing or handling food. People were supported to have a healthy balanced diet and had access to the food and drink of their choice, when they wanted it. Staff supported people with applications to achieve adaptations to their home environment to meet their individual care needs.

People experienced caring relationships with staff who knew about their individual needs and how to support them to meet the challenges they faced.

People’s needs had been assessed regularly, reviewed and updated. Their support plans were detailed and personalised to ensure their individual preferences were known. People’s support plans, promoted their independence and opportunities to maximise their potential.

People were supported to take part in activities that they enjoyed. Staff supported people to maintain relationships with those that mattered to them, which protected them from the risk of social isolation.