Updated 9 June 2026
Date of Assessment: 15 and 16 July 2026. Inspire Neuro Care Southampton provides accommodation with nursing care for up to 57 people with acquired brain injuries. Accommodation is arranged over 3 floors with stair and lift access. At the time of this inspection there were 12 people living at the service. Our inspection was prompted by concerns received about how safely people’s needs were being met. This was a comprehensive inspection, and we reviewed all the quality statements. We found no concerns in relation to the care and support people received. However, we noted some further embedding of governance and oversight was needed.
There was a new manager in post who had worked closely with external stakeholders to monitor and improve safety. Records showed staff were skilled, qualified, and experienced to meet people’s needs. Staff had been given updated training and competency assessments, and this included agency staff regularly working at the service. Staff we spoke with confirmed they felt more confident and competent than previously. Safeguarding procedures were followed and effective systems were in place to manage concerns. Lessons learned from incidents were recorded and shared with the wider team. Staff told us they felt confident to raise concerns about safety and were sure they would be listened to. The manager had implemented a range of checks and audits, alongside the provider's regular checks and audits. These showed how assurances had been sought. However, further embedding of these systems was required as the service grew and developed.
People’s needs and rehabilitation goals were assessed and reviewed regularly. Staff worked with healthcare professionals and monitored people’s outcomes and ongoing health to promote wellbeing. Risk assessments were completed and care plans provided clear guidance to staff on maintaining people’s safety. Records showed people received enough food and drink to maintain their health.
Medicines were managed safely, and safety checks were carried out across the premises and on all equipment. Fire risks were assessed and appropriately managed.
The service was clean and well maintained.
Staff all spoke highly of the manager. Staff told us the management team were open with them about recent issues, and they had been involved in some of the improvements. A staff member said, “[Manager] is good at asking staff, ‘what do you think of this.’ For me, she values input from the staff which is good.” The manager told us “We're improving. We have better oversight. I do think we have the foundations here to make something really amazing.”