- Homecare service
ESPA Agency
Assessment report published 8 December 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 12 August to 11 November 2025. ESPA Agency provides personal care to people living in supported living accommodation, with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of the assessment 7 people received personal care across 3 supported living housing schemes. We assessed the service due to the length of time since the last inspection.
We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. We found the service was meeting the principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
Systems and processes were in place to assess risks to people and ensure they were safeguarded from avoidable harm. The provider learned from accidents and incidents to mitigate future risks. Infection prevention and control processes were in place and followed by staff. There were enough trained and competent staff to support people and keep them safe. Staff safely administered and managed people’s medicines. A relative said, “[Person] has medication and staff support him safely with it.”
Staff supported people with their nutritional needs and to access a range of health care professionals, when needed. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff supported people in a kind, caring way and respected their decisions and choices. Staff focused on people’s strengths and promoted what they could do, so people had a fulfilling and meaningful everyday life. A staff member told us, “I take pride in making a positive impact on people’s lives.” People received person-centred care and support plans detailed how they wished to be supported. Staff knew how to effectively communicate with people and different communication methods were detailed in care records. People were supported by staff to pursue their interests.
The service was well-led. Feedback received from people, relatives, staff and a health and social care professional about the service was very positive. A relative told us, “In my capacity as [health professional] I have seen many examples of poor care providers in the sector. However, ESPA are outstanding. The organisation absolutely has good values and are a shining light in the care sector. They never give up on anybody.” The provider had an effective quality assurance process in place which included regular audits. People, relatives and staff were regularly consulted about the quality of the service through regular communication, surveys, meetings and reviews.
People's experience of this service
People and relatives told us they were happy with the care and support people received and felt the service was safe. Comments included, “Yes, I feel safe. Staff help me, that’s what they are there for,” and “Oh yes, they (staff) support [Person] well and he is definitely safe. He has a very good life and staff spoil him rotten.”
Staff listened to people and relatives, involved them in their care planning and encouraged them to make decisions. Staff encouraged people to be as independent as possible and to reach their full potential. Staff supported people in a sensitive, caring and respectful manner. Relatives told us, “[Person’s] care is very effective. I know it is because he is happy,” and “We are very happy with [Person’s] care. They are really happy, full of fun and always clean. They are well dressed and obviously cared for to the highest standards.”
Staff supported people to pursue their interests and tailored activities to each person’s social needs and best interests. A relative told us, “Staff arrange special trips on [Person’s] birthday and other occasions. They are always thinking about what is best for [Person] and consider his needs, for example, he doesn’t like crowded spaces.”
We visited some people’s home and observed staff interacting with them in a warm, friendly, familiar manner. People engaged very positively with staff and were keen to tell us what kind of things they did on a daily basis, clearly demonstrating how they were in control of their lives. For example, a person decided they wanted to go out to the shops in the evening and they were promptly supported to do so by staff.