Working at The Firs Residential Home
33 West Hill, Budleigh Salterton, EX9 6AE
Operated by West Bank Residential Home Limited
38 bedsResidential homes
Workplace Score
8.1/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 10 February 2026
Score: 8.1/10
Key Finding
"Exceptional leadership, a family-like team culture and innovative programmes, but limited details on staff retention and workload planning."
Safety & Risk
8/10
✓
Systems were in place to safeguard people from abuse and peoples' risks were assessed and well monitored. People were supported to receive their medicines safely... Accidents and incidents were reported and monitored...
Staff Culture
9/10
✓
Staff were unanimously positive about the registered manager and each other... 'I love my job. I see people here as my family...' 'like losing a family member.'
Staffing Levels
7/10
✓
There were enough staff to ensure peoples' needs were met... The service used very minimal agency staff. Where this was required, the same staff member was requested to ensure people received good continuity.
Training & Dev
7/10
✓
Staff were confident any safeguarding concerns... would be treated seriously... staff had completed enhanced falls training... staff did a 'virtual dementia bus'... 'Day in the life of a resident'.
Management
9/10
✓
Staff were unanimously positive about the registered manager... 'From a leadership perspective she's an example for other to follow. The Firs work so openly with and me and the standards are very high.'
Programmes
9/10
✓
Service were part of a 'Generational Exchange' and a 'National Literary Project' with the local school... knitting club... blankets for neo-natal unit... sensory room reduced anxiety... number of falls suffered by one person had already reduced.
Points to consider
Staffing levels are good enough for care needs with very little agency use, but no details on long-serving staff or extra planning to keep workloads light.
There were enough staff... service used very minimal agency staff... 'There is enough staff here and other staff will cover the shifts if needed'.
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: December 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