Koinonia Christian Care

Updated 20 July 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection, we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 3 inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Koinonia Christian Care is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Koinonia Christian Care is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from Healthwatch, Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 12 people who used the service and 5 relatives of people who use the service about their experience of the care provided. We contacted 7 health and social care professionals for their feedback and spoke with 10 members of staff including the registered manager, members of the management team, care workers, the chef and activity staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 5 people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.

Updated 20 July 2023

About the service

Koinonia Christian Care is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 39 people. The service provides support to people living with dementia or age-related physical frailties across five adapted buildings. The service mostly supports people with Christian beliefs. At the time of the inspection there were 29 people living at the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Quality assurance processes did not always provide effective management oversight for some aspects of the service. Some people’s care records contained incorrect or inconsistent information; this was amended immediately after our inspection. Some people received food which was prepared to a consistency which was over blended, the registered manager arranged further training for catering staff following our feedback.

People’s health risks were mostly assessed with plans to reduce risks. Care plans did not always contain specific instructions for people living with diabetes for staff to watch out for in the event of high or low blood sugars. Other risk assessments, such as, for the use of bedrails and equipment to help people with their mobility was detailed and contained enough information for staff.

People were protected from infectious diseases by good staff practices and a clean environment. People were kept safe by staff who understood their responsibilities to recognise and report safeguarding concerns. People received their medicines in a person centred and timely way, staff were trained and assessed as competent before administering people’s medicines.

People were supported by skilled and knowledgeable staff. New staff completed an induction course which included shadowing a more experienced staff member. The registered manager identified gaps in training records and had arranged a training programme to ensure all staff had the relevant knowledge to support people.

People told us there were enough staff to support them and our observations confirmed this. Comments included, “I know the staff, some better than others, they help me to get up.” People were treated with dignity and respect, and their independence was promoted by staff. A staff member said, “With [people], if you ask any of them they will say we are like family.” We saw staff speaking with and interacting with people in a dignified and respectful way throughout the inspection.

People and their relatives told us they knew how to complain and felt comfortable to so do if necessary. The registered manager was highly regarded by people’s relatives and staff. They told us they were able to approach the registered manager informally or at meetings and felt listened to. Comments included, “There are monthly residents’ meetings, which are recorded in notes that we can refer to. Things are suggested and done.” And, “I don’t go to residents’ meetings, if I wanted to change something I’d go through [registered manager].”

Staff worked with health and social care professionals to ensure people’s needs were met. Health and social care professionals provided positive feedback about the service. Comments included, “[Registered manager] is very present ‘hands on’ with residents, helping out if needed & always friendly & polite. There are some long standing senior care staff who are similar.”

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 1 April 2022 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was requires improvement, published on 4 May 2022.

Why we inspected

This is the first inspection for this newly registered service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.