This inspection took place on 30 May 2017. The inspection was announced.

Right at Home Portsmouth provides personal care services to people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were 14 people receiving care and support from the service. They were supported by 10 care staff, a manager and the nominated individual.

The service did not have a registered manager at the time of the inspection. However the manager has applied to the Commission to become the registered manager and their application was being processed. 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 received care that was personalised and caring from a service which promoted the importance of personalised care and followed their caring values. Staff were kind and caring. The service had received compliments from people and their relatives which demonstrated caring values were embedded within service delivery. People were involved in making decisions about their care.

People were supported to maintain their independence, privacy and dignity and preferences were included in their care plans and when people received their support with personal care.

Staff and management knew how to keep people safe from harm. Risk assessments were in place which identified risks to the environment and the level of support people required. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. Safe recruitment and medicine practices were in place and followed.

People received care from regular staff who had the skills and knowledge to carry out their roles.

Staff received supervision, field observations, training and an induction programme in line with approved standards of care. Staff, the manager and nominated individual, who was also the provider, demonstrated a good understanding of the legislation designed to protect people’s rights. People were supported to eat and drink well when required and external professionals were involved when deemed necessary.

People’s needs were assessed and reviewed. People received a punctual and flexible service and received care in line with their care plan and identified needs. Complaints had not been received into the service; however people were aware of how to complain and who to complain to.

People and their relatives were positive about the service and core values were embedded within the service delivery. Staff felt the manager and provider were supportive and felt confident to question practice. Audits to monitor the safety and quality of the service were being completed and questionnaires to gather people’s feedback were in the process of being introduced. The manager and provider knew when the Commission should be notified about significant events.