We completed an announced inspection at Manchester Home Care Associates on 24 July 2017 and 26 July 2017. This was the first ratings inspection since the provider had registered with us in April 2016.

Manchester Home Care Associates is a domiciliary care service who provide support to people who have a physical and/or a learning disability. At the time our inspection Home Care Associates were providing personal care to approximately 170 people.

There was a registered manager at the service. 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 and the registered manager understood their responsibilities to keep people safe where abuse may be suspected.

People's risks were assessed. Staff knew people's needs and carried out support in a safe way whilst they ensured that people's independence was promoted.

There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff available to meet people's assessed needs. The provider had an effective system in place to monitor the staffing levels against the needs of people who used the service and followed safe recruitment practices.

We found that people's medicines were managed safely.

Staff received training which was updated regularly to ensure they had the knowledge and skills required to meet people's needs effectively.

People consented to their care and the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were followed. Where people were unable to make certain decisions action had been taken by the registered manager to ensure that records contained information which showed who had the legal authority to make decisions in people’s best interests.

People were supported to eat and drink sufficient amounts and staff understood people's nutritional needs and preferences when they supported people with their diet.

People were supported to access health professionals and referrals for advice were sought by the registered manager when necessary, which ensured people's health and wellbeing was maintained.

People received care that was caring and compassionate and they were enabled to make choices about their care. People's dignity was maintained when they received support from staff.

People were involved in the planning and review of their care, which was planned and carried out in a way that met their preferences.

People told us they knew how to complain and the provider had an effective system in place to investigate and respond to complaints.

People and staff were able to approach the registered manager and staff felt supported to carry out their role.

Feedback was sought from people and staff, which was used to improve the quality of care people received.

Effective systems were in place to assess, monitor and manage the service to make improvements to the way people received their care.