The Briars Care Home
At a Glance
The information you need to decide whether this home warrants a closer look.
Residential homes
Staff warmth score
of reviewers answered yes
Good to know
- Registered beds38
- SpecialismsCaring for adults over 65 yrs, Dementia, Physical disabilities
- Last inspected2020-03-19
The Evidence
What the review data, the inspection reports, and the dementia-care evidence base tell us about this home.
What families say
The eight family priority themes
- Staff warmth72
- Compassion & dignity72
- Cleanliness65
- Activities & engagement82
- Food quality60
- Healthcare65
- Management & leadership70
- Resident happiness75
What inspectors found
Inspected 2020-03-19
Is this home safe?
Is the care effective?
The Effective domain was rated Good at the March 2021 inspection. This covers staff training, the quality and currency of care plans, access to healthcare professionals including GPs, and how well the home manages nutrition and hydration. The Briars lists dementia as a specialism, which means inspectors would have looked for evidence of dementia-specific training and care practice. The published summary does not provide detail on training content, care plan review frequency, or GP access arrangements.Is this home caring?
The Caring domain was rated Good at the March 2021 inspection. Inspectors assess this domain by observing staff interactions, speaking to residents and relatives, and reviewing how well the home protects dignity, privacy, and independence. A Good rating here means inspectors were satisfied with what they saw and heard. The published summary does not include direct quotes from residents or relatives, nor specific observations of staff behaviour.Is the home responsive?
The Responsive domain was rated Outstanding at the March 2021 inspection. This is the home's strongest area and the rating that most distinguishes The Briars from the majority of care homes. Outstanding in Responsive means inspectors found consistent, specific evidence that care and activity are tailored to individuals, that the home responds flexibly to changing needs, and that people's histories, preferences, and identities are reflected in daily life. The home also supports people with dementia and physical disabilities, so inspectors would have looked at how activities are adapted for people at different stages.Is the home well-led?
The Well-led domain was rated Good at the March 2021 inspection. The registered manager is listed as Mrs Lesley Shaw, with Miss Julie Clarges as the nominated individual representing the provider, Greensleeves Homes Trust. A Good Well-led rating means inspectors were satisfied with governance, oversight, and the culture of the home. The home's overall rating has declined from its previous Outstanding, which is a relevant context: something changed between inspections and it is worth understanding what that was.
Source: CQC inspection report →
What the evidence base says
The team here specialises in dementia care and supporting people with physical disabilities. They're set up to help residents over 65 who need assistance with mobility, personal care, or managing health conditions. For residents living with dementia, The Briars provides specialised care tailored to individual needs. The team understands the challenges dementia brings and works to maintain dignity and quality of life. All areas worth probing directly during a visit.
The DCC Verdict
Our editorial view, built from the three lenses: what families tell us, what inspectors record, and how the home sits against good dementia-care practice.
DCC Family Score
The Briars holds a Good overall rating with an Outstanding rating for responsiveness, meaning inspectors found strong evidence of individualised, person-centred engagement. However, the inspection text available is very limited in specific detail, so several scores reflect the rating level rather than direct observation evidence.
Homes in South East typically score 68–82.Worth a visit
The Briars in Sandown was rated Good overall at its last inspection, carried out in March 2021 and published in April 2021. Inspectors rated the home Good across four of the five domains and Outstanding for Responsive, the domain that covers activities, personalised engagement, and whether the home adapts to what your parent actually needs and enjoys. That Outstanding rating is significant: inspectors award it only when they find consistent, specific evidence that care is organised around individuals rather than routines. The main caution here is that this inspection took place in early 2021, over four years ago, and the home's trend shows a decline from a previous Outstanding overall rating. The published summary available to us contains very limited specific detail, meaning there are many practical questions this report cannot answer. Before you visit, prepare a short list of questions covering night staffing numbers, how often care plans are reviewed with families, and how the home communicates with you if something changes. On your visit, arrive at a mealtime if you can, walk the corridors without a guided tour, and notice whether staff use your parent's preferred name and whether they seem unhurried.
The three questions to ask when you visitSave this home. Compare it against your shortlist.
Let our analysis show you how The Briars Care Home measures up against the other homes you’re considering. Free account.
In Their Own Words
How The Briars Care Home describes itself — collected from its own website. DCC has not edited or independently verified the content in this tab.
Specialist dementia and disability support on the Isle of Wight
The Briars – Expert Care in Sandown
When you need specialist care for dementia or physical disabilities, finding the right place matters. The Briars in Sandown provides dedicated support for people over 65 who need extra help with daily living. This care home focuses on creating a supportive environment for residents with complex needs.
Who they care for
The team here specialises in dementia care and supporting people with physical disabilities. They're set up to help residents over 65 who need assistance with mobility, personal care, or managing health conditions.
For residents living with dementia, The Briars provides specialised care tailored to individual needs. The team understands the challenges dementia brings and works to maintain dignity and quality of life.
“If you're looking for specialist care in Sandown, it's worth arranging a visit to see if The Briars could be the right fit for your family.”
DCC does not edit or curate content in this tab. For independently curated information, see The Evidence and DCC Verdict.
The DCC Verdict
Our editorial view, built from the three lenses: what families tell us, what inspectors record, and how the home sits against good dementia-care practice.
DCC Family Score
The Briars holds a Good overall rating with an Outstanding rating for responsiveness, meaning inspectors found strong evidence of individualised, person-centred engagement. However, the inspection text available is very limited in specific detail, so several scores reflect the rating level rather than direct observation evidence.
Homes in South East typically score 68–82.Worth a visit
The Briars in Sandown was rated Good overall at its last inspection, carried out in March 2021 and published in April 2021. Inspectors rated the home Good across four of the five domains and Outstanding for Responsive, the domain that covers activities, personalised engagement, and whether the home adapts to what your parent actually needs and enjoys. That Outstanding rating is significant: inspectors award it only when they find consistent, specific evidence that care is organised around individuals rather than routines. The main caution here is that this inspection took place in early 2021, over four years ago, and the home's trend shows a decline from a previous Outstanding overall rating. The published summary available to us contains very limited specific detail, meaning there are many practical questions this report cannot answer. Before you visit, prepare a short list of questions covering night staffing numbers, how often care plans are reviewed with families, and how the home communicates with you if something changes. On your visit, arrive at a mealtime if you can, walk the corridors without a guided tour, and notice whether staff use your parent's preferred name and whether they seem unhurried.
The three questions to ask when you visitSave this home. Compare it against your shortlist.
Let our analysis show you how The Briars Care Home measures up against the other homes you’re considering. Free account.
In Their Own Words
How The Briars Care Home describes itself — collected from its own website. DCC has not edited or independently verified the content in this tab.
Specialist dementia and disability support on the Isle of Wight
The Briars – Expert Care in Sandown
When you need specialist care for dementia or physical disabilities, finding the right place matters. The Briars in Sandown provides dedicated support for people over 65 who need extra help with daily living. This care home focuses on creating a supportive environment for residents with complex needs.
Who they care for
The team here specialises in dementia care and supporting people with physical disabilities. They're set up to help residents over 65 who need assistance with mobility, personal care, or managing health conditions.
For residents living with dementia, The Briars provides specialised care tailored to individual needs. The team understands the challenges dementia brings and works to maintain dignity and quality of life.
“If you're looking for specialist care in Sandown, it's worth arranging a visit to see if The Briars could be the right fit for your family.”
DCC does not edit or curate content in this tab. For independently curated information, see The Evidence and DCC Verdict.
