The Firs Residential Care Home

Updated 9 March 2026

Date of assessment 30 March to 28 May 2026. We visited the care home on 30 March and 21 April 2026. The Firs Residential Care Home is a care home providing personal care for up to 29 older people who may live with dementia or physical disabilities. Accommodation is arranged over 2 floors, with stair and lift access. At the beginning of this assessment, there were 17 people using the service.

Our unannounced assessment was carried out following concerns we received about fire safety, medicines management, staffing suitability, safe care and culture. The fire safety concerns were reviewed by the local fire officer and by the end of our assessment the provider was compliant with requirements. Overall, we found people experienced safe, compassionate and personalised care. We did not identify any concerns surrounding medicines management, staffing suitability, safe care or culture. This was a comprehensive assessment, and we reviewed all the quality statements. The care home was previously rated good, and this assessment has found the care home remained good.

This assessment was undertaken by 3 inspectors, 1 medicines specialist and 1 Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who had personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. We received feedback from 3 healthcare professionals who work with the service, the local authority and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

The provider demonstrated a proactive approach to safety, based on openness and honesty. This included undertaking thorough pre-admission assessments to ensure staff could meet people’s needs. Leaders and staff had a shared vision with a focus on learning and continual improvement. People, relatives, staff and visiting health and social care professionals told us they felt supported to provide feedback and felt their views would be listened to and acted upon. Medicines were managed safely at the care home and staff worked well alongside a range of health and social care professionals to ensure safe continuity of care.

Updated 9 March 2026

Staff interacted well with people. We used a structured observation tool to understand people’s experience of care. We observed positive interactions between people and staff, which included patience, person centred care, dignity and respect.

People felt supported by staff and well cared for. One person told us, “[Staff] do everything well here. There isn’t anything I want to change. It couldn’t be any better for me.” Another person said, “It is a nice place, and the staff are very good and kind. I would recommend it to other people.”

Some relatives told us further work was needed to the environment, as it appeared worn and dated and would benefit from further improvement to enhance presentation. However, many reflected and told us this did not impact upon the care their loved ones received and told us staff were genuine, caring and knowledgeable. For example, 1 relative told us, “It isn’t a fancy place, but it is a very genuine place.” Another relative said, “The carers are the best thing about the home.” A further relative told us, “I think the attitude of the staff is excellent, so welcoming and helpful. It is like one big family. They make sure everyone is comfortable.”

People and their relatives felt staff understood their needs and preferences well. People were involved in decisions about their care, and should their needs change, staff were prompt to arrange for health reviews to take place. People told us staff were attentive and they felt safe at the care home.