Working at The Firs
27 Fore Street, Witheridge, EX16 8AH
Operated by South West Care Homes Limited
27 bedsResidential homes
Workplace Score
5.8/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 9 February 2026
Score: 5.8/10
Key Finding
"Good teamwork and engaging activities, but COVID-related staffing pressures and standard training hold it back."
Safety & Risk
6/10
✓
We were assured that the provider was preventing visitors from catching and spreading infections... using PPE effectively... making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.
Staff Culture
7/10
✓
There was a good teamwork approach to delivering care... The staff team have been tremendous at supporting each other and the home to keep us going through the pandemic
Staffing Levels
5/10
!
The provider told us they had measures in place to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19 related staff pressures
Training & Dev
5/10
!
The training and development manager helped the manager coordinate and plan for staff training to ensure there was a full programme of ongoing learning.
Management
6/10
✓
New manager had been appointed and was at the time of the inspection registering with CQC... previous experience of being a registered manager and understood their role and responsibilities.
Programmes
6/10
✓
provider had employed a well-being facilitator who supported the care team in developing activities... pen pals with local school children... won six awards as part of the local flower festival... wildlife and wildflower section... vintage tearoom
Points to consider
Staffing is adequate but they had to put measures in place to handle COVID-related staff pressures.
The provider told us they had measures in place to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19 related staff pressures
Only standard ongoing training with no specialist courses or funded qualifications mentioned.
full programme of ongoing learning
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: March 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