This inspection took place on 11 September 2017 and was announced.

Care Support MK Ltd is a home care service that provides personal care to people with learning disabilities and autism, who live in their own homes in order for them to maintain their independence.

At the time of our inspection the provider confirmed they were providing personal care to 15 people.

There was 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.

Staff had a good understanding safeguarding procedures, the signs of abuse, and the procedures that should be followed to report abuse. Staff were highly confident in reporting concerns and understood the safeguarding policy that was in place.

People had detailed risk assessments in place to enable them to be as independent as possible. Assessments considered risks that may be present within a person’s life, as well as considering the independence and freedom they required.

Staffing levels were adequate to meet people's current needs. The service employed enough staff to ensure that people were supported at the right level at all times. People were supported by the right ratio of staff according to their assessed needs.

Staff recruitment procedures were robust and detailed , and ensured that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out so only suitable staff worked at the service. No staff were able to be employed by the company without those checks being satisfactorily completed.

Staff induction training and on-going training was provided to ensure they had the skills, knowledge and support they needed to perform their roles. Staff had an in depth knowledge of how to support people and achieve their desired goals. All the training received was relevant and up to date, and included specific training on each individual being supported.

Staff skills and experience were organised and utilised effectively to maximise positive outcomes for people. People were matched with staff support that suited their specific needs and preferences.

We saw that medicines were administered and stored safely. Staff received training and competency checks to ensure that medication was administered safely.

Staff told us they were well supported by the registered manager and senior team, and had regular one to one supervisions. Staff valued supervision time and used it to give and receive feedback on the service they were providing.

People's consent was gained before any care was provided and the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were met.

People were able to buy and choose the food and drink they wanted and staff supported people with this. People were encouraged to improve their independence and health through the ongoing support that staff had given with food, drink, shopping and cooking.

People were encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and were supported to access health appointments when necessary. A variety of healthcare professionals were involved in people’s ongoing care, which was supported by the service. The staff all understood the specific of each person’s health needs, and encouraged the choices that would support people’s health.

Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and spent time getting to know them and their specific needs and wishes. Staff including the management, had an excellent knowledge of people’s needs.

People were involved in their own care where possible, and family members were involved when required. People and their family were able to contribute to the way in which they were supported.

The service was proactive and innovative in planning people’s care so that they felt listened to and empowered. People were supported in a creati