Working at The Firs Residential Care Home
Tower Farm, Ely, CB6 2TD
Operated by Barrels UK Care Ltd
29 bedsResidential homes
Workplace Score
5.4/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 10 February 2026
Score: 5.4/10
Key Finding
"Strong management driving improvements, staff wellbeing supported, and safe care, but weak activities programme and some staff turnover hold it back."
Safety & Risk
6/10
✓
People and relatives told us they were provided with safe care. They knew how to raise concerns and felt staff would listen to them.
Staff Culture
6/10
✓
The importance of staff wellbeing was also recognised by the provider, who was in the process of improving facilities available for staff.
Staffing Levels
5/10
!
Whilst there had been some staff turnover in the last year, good rapport and professional relationships had been built.
Training & Dev
5/10
!
Per 2022 comprehensive inspection: Staff were trained to care for and support people safely and effectively. Staff completed an induction and undertook shadow shifts.
Management
6/10
✓
The management team and staff had worked with an external agency of consultants, and the local authority, to make the improvements required at the service.
Programmes
3/10
✕
Per 2022 comprehensive inspection: Non-activities staff made sure activities took place whilst a new activities co-ordinator was being recruited. People had mixed views about the activities that took place. One person told us there was, 'No proper activities.'
Points to consider
No proper activities programme or dedicated coordinator, so the role is mostly routine personal care.
Per 2022 comprehensive inspection: People had mixed views about the activities that took place. One person told us there was, 'No proper activities.' The manager told us they had recently recruited a new activities co-ordinator.
Some staff turnover means the team is not fully stable, so workloads might feel stretched at times.
Whilst there had been some staff turnover in the last year, good rapport and professional relationships had been built.
Only standard induction and mandatory training, no specialist courses or funded qualifications.
Per 2022 comprehensive inspection: Staff completed an induction and undertook shadow shifts. Staff had supervisions and competency spot checks to review and discuss their performance.
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: December 2024
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