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'Inadequate' Christian care home in special measures

Martin Heath
BBC News, Northamptonshire
Google Front entrance to Bethany Homestead, showing driveway from road, with large gates across it. There are green Bethany Homestead signs on either side and the driveway is lined by a hedge and trees. A single-storey house lies to the right of the picture, and a two-storey building to the left. The lawn of the Homestead is visible through the gates.Google
Bethany Homestead is located in a residential area of Northampton

A Christian care home where inspectors found residents "at risk" from hot appliances has been rated as inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Bethany Homestead in Northampton was also put into special measures by the CQC, who will keep it "under close review" to "keep people safe".

The commission also said the home's managers did not listen to concerns about safety.

The care home has been contacted for a response.

Bethany Homestead opened in 1926 with eight houses and four flats.

Its care home now provides personal care for up to 38 older people living with dementia, physical disabilities and sensory impairments.

The CQC said its overall rating had dropped from "requires improvement" to "inadequate".

It said inspectors found four breaches of regulations about safe environments, safeguarding, deprivation of liberty safeguards and nutrition.

Their report said that there were no systems in place to identify people who had access to kitchens, laundry, car parks and cleaning cupboards.

Residents were "placed at risk of harm from hot water, hot appliances, cleaning materials, cars and laundry".

The interior of the chapel at the Homestead with a large cross at one end on a brick wall. There are several people sitting on red wooden-framed chairs, or standing between them. There are large lights on a curved wall to the left.
Many residents of Bethany Homestead are Christians but some follow other faiths

Rating safeguarding as inadequate, the inspectors recorded that "the manager had not implemented the instructions from safeguarding investigations to have all staff retrained in dignity in care, placing people at continued risk of abuse".

The report also said residents were at risk of choking or receiving unsuitable food because leaders did not "provide clear guidance on dietary needs to kitchen staff".

The inspectors did speak to some families who said they had chosen the service for its faith provision and spoke positively about it.

The report added: "Where people followed other faiths, the home made sure they were supported in this".

Martin Heath/BBC Book with a beige cover entitled "The story of a Christian Village - a History of Bethany Homestead". It has a picture of a three-storey building on the site. It is pictured on a bookshelf with other books.Martin Heath/BBC
Bethany Homestead was opened in 1926 and has expanded and adapted over the years

Craig Howarth, the CQC's deputy director of operations in Northamptonshire, said: "We were disappointed to find that the quality of service at Bethany Homestead had declined since our previous inspection.

"We will keep the home under close review and will return to check on the progress they have made."

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