The Firs Residential Home

33 West Hill, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6AE
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9.9 74 Reviews
  • The Firs Residential Home, Budleigh Salterton
Set in a peaceful location with leafy gardens and light-filled spaces, The Firs offers more than just a place to live – it’s a place to feel at ease. Residents can relax in the comfortable lounge, share time with others in the dining areas, or enjoy a quiet drink in the bar. With the scent of sea air drifting through the garden, the calm, unhurried rhythm of life here provides a true sense of retreat.

Each resident receives support tailored to their individual needs – whether for long-term care, respite stays, or recovery following a hospital visit. The care team is recognised not only for professional expertise, but also for warmth and thoughtful attention.

All bedrooms are en-suite, and there’s ample space to enjoy – from inviting communal lounges to the recently redesigned garden, featuring a pergola, greenhouse, and potting bench. The activities programme is inclusive and varied, offering something to suit every interest and energy level. Past favourites have included gala week bingo, ice cream in the sun, gardening club, creative crafts, and gentle reminiscence sessions.

Mealtimes are an occasion to enjoy, with seasonal dishes prepared by in-house chefs – nourishing, delicious, and made with care.

To learn more or arrange a visit to The Firs, please get in touch.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Physical Disability

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 38 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • Convalescent Care
  • Day Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1600
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1600
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1600
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1600

These prices are only a guideline, please contact The Firs Residential Home to find out the exact price for your requirements.

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Good to Know

Person in charge

  • Nicola Shayler (Registered Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: No
  • Last Refurbishment: 2023
  • Number of floors: 2

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (38)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (2)

The Firs Residential Home Reviews (74)

9.9

The Firs Residential Home has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.935) out of 10, based on 25 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Firs Residential Home has 74 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 61
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Date Published
  • 74
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  • 25
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Reviewer Connection to The Firs Residential Home
  • 31
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  • 7
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  • 2
  • 2
  • 2
  • 2
  • 1
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Total of 74, showing 61-74
Review from Neil E (Son of Resident) published on 11 December 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum was always treated with a great deal of compassion and kindness during two and a half years at The Firs. She was always gently encouraged to take part in the various activities on offer and enjoyed them greatly. Staff were very attentive to her needs and quickly spotted if she was in difficulty,
either physically or emotionally. They always kept family informed and we felt fully involved in decisions affecting her care. In the past 12 months, there have been considerable staffing changes, bringing with it a perhaps inevitable lack of continuity. However, a new manager has now started with whom I have had many dealings in recent months, as Mum's health has deteriorated and her needs have become increasingly complex. The manager has been excellent in all regards, demonstrating a deep understanding of the high standard of care that people living with dementia deserve and ensuring that Mum's high-quality care was maintained throughout.
Reply from Liana Birkett, Director at The Firs Residential Home

Thank you so much for reviewing our service. We are so glad you are happy with mum’s care. We will pass on your kind words to the team. Thanks again.

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Review from J B (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 December 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
In the last few months, the home is settling down after the change of management which has taken a while to get to grips with the problems which had developed. They still have a staffing problem so some staff are still feeling the pressure in their job.
On the whole, we are satisfied with the service
we receive. Mum is happy there, she seems to get plenty of attention and looked after by the staff.
She does not have problems and is not afraid to talk to the manager.
Reply from Liana Birkett, Director at The Firs Residential Home

Thank you for the review and for your support through this period of transition. We have great faith in the new manager who is making some great improvements. We have also made great progress with staffing and we are now fully staffed. It is great to hear that your mother is happy at The Firs.

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Review from Vicky T (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 17 October 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My grandpa was diagnosed over a decade ago with vascular dementia. My mum single-handedly cared for my grandpa until June where she could no longer mentally care for him. The Firs was recommended to me by a friend. It was perfect - a gated dementia care home. Very clean and friendly. Management and
staff have changed since my grandpa's admission in June and in my opinion for the better. New manageress has a strong passionate care focus. Spend many hours revising and creating my grandpas care plan. They run weekly outings for the residents If they wish to participate. But have daily indoor activities. My grandpa's health did deteriorate and his health needs became complex very quickly. Management amended care plan quickly and efficiently, Coming to meetings with doctors etc. His care was beyond anything my family expected. He entered palliative care in August. The staff gave my family help, guidance and support during this difficult time. Could not recommend enough.
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Review from S E (Nephew of Resident) published on 18 December 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Very pleased with the progress my very elderly aunt is making under their care.


She is well, happy and relaxed. There is a lovely atmosphere in the home.

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Review from Elaine W (Daughter of Resident) published on 11 October 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I am pleased with the facility and level of care. Concerned that a lot of money is spent on changes and facelifts and furniture which may not be necessary and it all comes from the cost of residential placement.
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Review from Bridget B (Daughter of Resident) published on 11 October 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The care, staff and atmosphere at The Firs are just what are needed to reassure me that mum is being well looked after in a safe environment. In the search for the right place, I visited many other local facilities and The Firs is among the best.
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Review from Robert W (Son of Resident) published on 10 October 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We chose this care home 5 years ago as a suitable place for mum who suffers from dementia. We had visited several other care homes and came to the conclusion that The Firs was a friendly, caring, professionally run and well-maintained establishment. We still maintain that our decision was the best one
we could have made and are confident that mum has received the best possible attention during her residency and seems to be perfectly happy and content there.
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Review from Emily M (Daughter of Resident) published on 9 October 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My dad has a number of complex needs and behaviours and the staff and the management have dealt/deal with him in a very caring and compassionate manner no matter what disturbances/issues he has caused. He feels very well looked after and cared for which, with myself living so far away, is really an
absolute blessing for me and puts my mind at rest knowing they are always looking out for him.
The staff are friendly and the home is kept clean and dad is always raving on about the fabulous food they make and how much he loves them all. Really couldn't ask for a better place for my dad to be!
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Review from Jane E R B (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 April 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
It is a busy home and as soon as you walk in it has a homely, friendly atmosphere.
Staff are welcoming and show great compassion to all in their care.
Mum was worried she wouldn't like moving into a home but she has made close connections with all of the staff and they have made it home for her.
After
a long stay in hospital, she was happy to return to the home.
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Review from B H (Wife of Resident) published on 1 September 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband has been going to The Firs for one day a week for the last year, so when I needed respite, he was there for several weeks. I would recommend this home with very caring staff, many thanks.
Sadly he has now been moved to a nursing home.
Reply from Liana Birkett, Director at The Firs Residential Home

Thank you for your kind words. We were sad to say goodbye to your husband.

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Review from Michael R H (Son of Resident) published on 26 April 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All of the staff work as a team with one objective, and that is to give all of the residents first-class care with attention to humanity and detail. The activities are varied, interesting and the grounds are ideal to be out in during the warmer weather. The food cooked on the premises is varied and
targeted to individuals when required. Additionally, the feedback to the residents family, friends and carers is first class.
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Review from Ronald T (Husband of Resident) published on 22 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
What more can be said than the chart below; which gives a fair summary of my experiences based on my wife's 17months at The Firs. The management and staff are continually available and as a result, I have never seen residents having to wait for attention.
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Review from Graham S (Resident) published on 30 June 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
When I was first invited to join The Firs about 18 months ago, I went to stay in a temporary location whilst a new block was being built. The manageress was kind enough to assure me that I would have first refusal on the new block and chose a residence which had an attached shower and 3 windows opening
onto the garden. What could I have better?
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Review from Rose F (Resident) published on 23 June 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I was given a real welcome when I came to this home when the home I was in previously was suddenly closed down in February 2015. The Firs is a lovely home set in beautiful gardens. I have a nice room with an en-suite loo and basin and a really lovely view of the garden and trees. The staff are truly
caring and friendly. I am very well looked after and happy here.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.935)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.935) out of 10 for The Firs Residential Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 25 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 25 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.935 for The Firs Residential Home is calculated as follows: ( (275 Excellents x 5) + (19 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 294 Ratings = 4.935
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for The Firs Residential Home is based on 25 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 38 registered maximum number of service users is 7.6, which has been reached with 25 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 20 Dec 2022

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Good
  • Safe Good
  • Well-led Good
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England. View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (6)

Meet the Team (1)

NIkki

NIkki Shayler

Job Title: Registered Manager Joined: 2019

Nikki started in the care industry at the age of 16 and has worked at every level throughout Devon and Somerset up to home manager, completing her qualifications along the way.


She philosophy is to adopt a person-centred approach placing the resident at the heart of the care provided. Nikki loves her job and finds it extremely rewarding and says she is committed to ensuring the best possible care is provided for her residents.


Nikki lives locally and is married to a Police Sergeant who serves the local community. She has three children, two of whom have now left home.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact The Firs Residential Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. The Firs Residential Home has an Enhanced Service - more info.