Working at The Poplars
347 Salisbury Road, Southampton, SO40 3NF
Operated by Starfish Support Services Limited
6 bedsResidential homesSupported living
Workplace Score
7.1/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 10 February 2026
Score: 7.1/10
Key Finding
"Hands-on leadership staff respect and a positive culture where they feel proud, but some agency staffing and activities without specialist programmes."
Safety & Risk
7/10
✓
Staff had a good awareness of safeguarding procedures... People's risks were assessed appropriately... Incidents were reported and learning shared.
Staff Culture
8/10
✓
Staff were positive and proud to work there. One member of staff told us, 'I really enjoy coming to work.' Another said, 'You couldn't find a better place to work.'
Staffing Levels
6/10
✓
There were sufficient numbers of suitable staff to meet people's needs and keep them safe. The service had its own 'bank' of staff to cover leave and sickness, and used some agency staff.
Training & Dev
7/10
✓
Staff had training in positive behavioural support and autism... 'The autism training helped cement what we were already doing…it was good to be able to apply the training in practice'.
Management
8/10
✓
The registered manager was hands-on and role-modelled for staff. Staff respected the registered manager... 'open door policy' and was 'always [there] for advice and ideas'.
Programmes
6/10
✓
People had maximum choice and freedom in what activities they did... one person went to a 'grass roots' community project to learn how to grow their own produce. The property had a large garden which the service used to host garden parties.
Points to consider
Staffing is adequate but uses some agency workers alongside bank staff to cover shifts.
The service had its own 'bank' of staff to cover leave and sickness, and used some agency staff.
Activities offer variety like hobbies, community projects, and garden parties but no specialist programmes or dedicated coordinator.
people had maximum choice and freedom in what activities they did and what support they received. Staff were encouraged to try new things... worked with charitable organisations... community project to learn how to grow their own produce.
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: January 2019
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