The inspection took place on 15 August 2018 and was unannounced.

This service provides care to people living in the flats and apartments on site within the Richmond Village Complex to enable people to live independently, with support available. CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of our inspection, six people were receiving personal care as part of their care package.

Richmond Domiciliary Care service had a registered manager in post. 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 felt safe within their home and supported by staff who understood the importance of ensuring people’s safety. When required risk assessments had been completed to cover people’s care and their environment. People received support from consistent staff who had the appropriate recruitment checks. Staff handled medicine safely and understood the importance of reducing any risk of infection.

The latest guidance was available to support staff to understand specific conditions. Staff had received an induction and ongoing training for their role. Some people had support to enable them to join social groups.

People remained in control of their health care, however staff were available to support when needed. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were positive about the relationships they had made with the staff members and felt that made all the difference. Respect and dignity had been maintained along with supporting people to remain as independent as they were able to be.

There was a flexible approach to meeting people’s needs which could be altered when changes occurred. The care plans were detailed and included information in relation to people’s equality needs and information access. No complaints had been received to this service.

The service was supported by a registered manager who understand the regulations and ensured we received notifications and information in relation to these. People’s views had been obtained through regular reviews of their care.

A range of audits had been used in relation to care plans and medicines management. Staff felt supported and enjoyed working for this provider. Partnerships were being developed to establish links with health and social care professionals, along with community based activities.