ESPA Agency

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence.

At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them. People's needs were assessed prior to using the service and reviewed on an ongoing basis. This meant the registered manager could make sure staff were able to effectively meet people’s needs.

Senior staff developed support plans from assessments, for each identified risk or care need, to guide staff on how to support people to meet their needs safely and effectively.

The provider planned and delivered people’s care and treatment with them, including what was important and mattered to them. They did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards.

People’s nutritional needs were assessed and met. People were in control of what they ate and drank. Staff supported people to plan their meals and weekly food shopping. A staff member said, “I try to encourage [Person] to be as independent as possible, such as going food shopping, prompting to let them make decisions on what food to get for the week.”

Staff encouraged people to enjoy a healthy balanced diet but also respected their choices and decisions in relation to food and drinks. A relative told us, “They (staff) encourage [Person] to eat healthy food and do an amazing job.”

During the assessment we observed people choosing what they wanted to eat for their evening meal and preparing their meals independently, whilst being monitored by staff to ensure they remained safe.

The provider worked well across teams and services to support people. They made sure people only needed to tell their story once by sharing their assessment of needs when people moved between different services. A relative told us, “Everyone works together it’s like a dream package.”

The provider worked well with other services when supporting people to transition between services. When talking about a person’s transition into the service, a health professional said, “[The provider] worked with the clinical staff from the psychiatric hospital such as the OT and other members of the clinical team including psychology. Staff training meetings were held so that ESPA could have relevant training around psychosis, as well as utilise the expertise of the clinical teams and their care planning. The support workers who were in place during transition from another organisation were welcome at ESPA and they planned together.”

The provider supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.

People and relatives told us staff arranged for people to see the health professionals, when required. A relative said “I feel that staff are very aware of [Person’s] needs. If [Person] needs any medical appointments staff (arrange these) and go with him.”

Care records documented the engagement people had with health care professionals and recommendations were incorporated into support plans and followed by staff.

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves. A relative told us, “[Person] is happier than ever, the support is excellent. [Person] is absolutely thriving since moving to ESPA (supported living service).”

Staff regularly reviewed people’s support plans with them, to ensure they reflected their needs, preferences and choices. People were encouraged to set short and long term goals to improve their quality of life and independence. Staff reviewed people’s goals with them and recorded their progress and achievements. For example, improving daily living skills with the aim of moving into their own home in the community and living independently.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment.

Staff understood and followed the Mental Capacity Act and associated codes of practice. A staff member told us, “I always seek consent before providing care. If an individual is unable to make a decision, I follow the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, involve relevant professionals, and ensure decisions are made in the person’s best interests.”

People made their own choices and decisions on a day-to-day basis about what they did, what they ate and how they filled their time.