We undertook an unannounced inspection on 2 May 2017. This was the first inspection of the service under this provider. The provider registered this service with the Care Quality Commission on 23 August 2016. The service was previously registered under a different provider. You can read our inspection reports for Wallace Crescent under the previous provider by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for ‘Wallace Crescent’ on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Wallace Crescent provides self-contained accommodation and support for up to eight people with learning disabilities and/or autism, and mental health needs. At the time of our inspection six people were using the service.

The previous registered manager left the service in March 2017. A new manager had been appointed and they had begun their application to become registered. 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.

Under the previous provider the service was rated ‘good’. At this inspection we found the service continued to be rated ‘good’ for all five key questions.

Staff were aware of their responsibilities to safeguard people from harm and supported people to understand the risks to their safety and welfare. Staff regularly assessed the risks to people’s safety and management plans were developed to minimise the risk. There were sufficient staff to keep people safe and ensure they received the level of support they required, at the service and in the community. Safe recruitment practices were in place to ensure suitable staff were in post. Medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines as prescribed.

There were a range of training courses available to ensure staff had the knowledge and skills to undertake their duties. Staff understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and only deprived people of their liberty when legally authorised to do so and when it was in their best interests. Staff provided people with information about maintaining a balanced diet and ensure they ate sufficient amounts. Staff liaised with healthcare professionals as required to ensure people’s health needs were met.

Staff were knowledgeable about the people they were supporting and what was important to them. They engaged people in a kind and friendly manner. Staff were aware of people’s communication methods and ensured their requests were understood. People were encouraged to make choices and day to day decisions. Staff maintained people’s privacy and dignity.

People received the support they required. Detailed care records were in place to inform staff about how to meet people’s needs and the level of support they required. This included information about people’s preferences for how they were supported and what was important to them. Staff encouraged people to learn new skills and maintain their independence. Staff also supported people to work towards the goals they wanted to achieve whilst at the service. There were processes in place to manage any complaints they arose.

Staff felt well supported by the new manager in post. There were processes in place for staff to discuss service delivery and learn from each other about how best to support individuals. There were open and honest conversations amongst staff to reflect on service delivery. Systems were in place to review the quality of the service and where improvements were required these were made in a timely manner. The manager adhered to the requirements of the service’s registration with the Care Quality Commission, including submitting statutory notifications.