Working at Poplar Lodge
Wards End, Bishop Auckland, DL13 4JS
Operated by Aspire Healthcare Limited
9 bedsResidential homes
Workplace Score
6.4/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 9 February 2026
Score: 6.4/10
Key Finding
"Visible approachable managers and strong safety incident management, but uncertain staff retention and basic training without specialist courses."
Safety & Risk
8/10
✓
The service managed incidents affecting people's safety well. Staff recognised incidents and reported them appropriately and managers investigated incidents and shared lessons learned.
Staff Culture
6/10
✓
The registered manager worked hard to instil a culture of care in which staff truly valued and promoted people's individuality, protected their rights and enabled them to develop and flourish.
Staffing Levels
6/10
✓
The numbers and skills of staff matched the needs of people using the service.
Training & Dev
6/10
✓
Per 2019 comprehensive inspection: The registered manager supported staff using supervision. They had accessed training outside of the service to further enhance staff skills.
Management
7/10
✓
Management were visible in the service, approachable and took a genuine interest in what people, staff, family, advocates and other professionals had to say.
Programmes
6/10
✓
Per 2019 comprehensive inspection: People were engaged in a variety of activities throughout the day to avoid isolation. This included volunteering at a local food bank, attendance at a woodwork group and playing football.
Points to consider
Staff numbers match residents needs but no details on stable teams or no agency use for easy workloads.
The numbers and skills of staff matched the needs of people using the service.
Training covers basics like safeguarding and induction with some supervision but no specialist courses or qualifications funded.
Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it.
Activities include community outings like volunteering and football but no dedicated coordinator or special programmes to enrich the day.
Per 2019 comprehensive inspection: People were engaged in a variety of activities throughout the day to avoid isolation. This included volunteering at a local food bank, attendance at a woodwork group and playing football.
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: December 2022
Good
Safe
✓
Good
Effective
✓
Good
Caring
✓
Good
Responsive
✓
Good
Management Quality
Well-led: Good
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- Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Data
- PlainSight staff reviews