Working at Poplars
Clockhouse Way, Braintree, CM7 3RD
Operated by Innova Care Limited
6 bedsResidential homes
Workplace Score
7.0/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 9 February 2026
Score: 7.0/10
Key Finding
"Staff feel valued and supported with excellent training, but some as-needed medicines lack protocols and activities need better coordination."
Safety & Risk
6/10
✓
People protected from abuse with good safeguarding training and risk assessments including positive behaviour support plans, but PRN medicines did not always have protocols in place.
Staff Culture
8/10
✓
Staff told us they felt valued and supported with 'regular staff supervision, meetings and appraisals which are very supportive and motivating'; 'the best thing about working here is the conducive atmosphere and working as a team'.
Staffing Levels
6/10
✓
We found there were enough staff to support people safely and the provider told us agency use was low.
Training & Dev
8/10
✓
Staff received a wide range of training including epilepsy awareness, safe administration of medication, safeguarding, dysphasia, positive behaviour support and a 2 day autism training course; regular supervision and appraisals.
Management
7/10
✓
Staff described the nominated individual overseeing the service as 'incredibly supportive and always available', 'visible, available, and approachable, I have confidence that they will deal with anything professionally'.
Programmes
6/10
✓
People engaged in college study, gym twice weekly, bowling, outdoor activity centres, pub lunches, Mencap, walks, and home tasks like dinner preparation, sweeping the garden, cleaning rooms.
Points to consider
Staffing is adequate with low agency use, but no mention of long-serving staff or workloads light enough for unhurried care.
We found there were enough staff to support people safely and the provider told us agency use was low.
Daily variety from outings, gym, college and home chores, but no dedicated activities coordinator or specialist programmes to enrich the role.
People had access to the local shops and retail park, bowling, outdoor activity centres, pub lunches and Mencap... encouraged to participate in daily activities around their home such as helping with the dinner preparation, sweeping the garden.
Some as-needed medications do not have full protocols telling staff exactly when to give them.
We found where people were prescribed medicines when required (PRN), they did not always have a PRN protocol in place.
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: April 2023
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