# ESPA Agency

*Operated by Education and Services for People with Autism Limited.*

ESPA Agency is a CQC-regulated home-care agency in Sunderland.

## CQC Ratings

| Key question | Rating |
| --- | --- |
| Overall | Not Rated |
| Safe | Not Rated |
| Effective | Not Rated |
| Caring | Not Rated |
| Responsive | Not Rated |
| Well-led | Not Rated |

## Practical info

- Postcode: SR5 3RL
- Registered manager: Wheatley, Clare
- Local authority: Sunderland
- Region: North East
- City: Sunderland
- Last CQC check: 08/Dec/2025 - 00:00

## Inspection findings

### caring

- Finding
  - Privacy, dignity and confidentiality
  - Published: 2020-10-12
- Finding
  - Person-centred care and independence
  - Published: 2020-10-12

### effective

- Finding
  - Nutrition support
  - Published: 2020-10-12
- Finding
  - Mental Capacity Act compliance
  - Published: 2020-10-12
- Finding
  - Staff training and induction
  - Published: 2020-10-12

### Other

- Finding
  - Evidence: Robust recruitment processes including DBS checks, application forms, interviews and reference checks
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Registered manager described as approachable, accessible and visible, providing a positive role model
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Comprehensive quality assurance programme with daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly audits
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: People supported to access community activities including golf, swimming, horse riding, college and social events
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Strong person-centred care with use of PECS, Makaton, I-pads and bespoke communication methods
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Regular supervision every six to eight weeks and annual appraisals supporting staff development
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Wide range of specialised training including epilepsy awareness, autism, positive behaviour support and communication
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Safe medicines management with six-monthly competency checks for staff and support for self-medicating individuals
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Robust safeguarding processes including training, logging, investigation and reporting to relevant authorities
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Sufficient staffing levels with flexible one-to-one or two-to-one support tailored to individual needs
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- **record_keeping** _(minor)_
  - Evidence: A copy of people's care records was not available at the main office but rather the only copy was available at the person's house.
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- **governance** _(minor)_
  - Evidence: a model of care similar to a residential model was operating rather than true independent supported living...the organisation was operating their business from each household.
  - Published: 2021-10-30
- Finding
  - Evidence: Quality assurance processes and policies and procedures were in place
  - Published: 2020-10-12
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff promoted independence and maintained privacy and dignity during personal care
  - Published: 2020-10-12
- Finding
  - Evidence: Care plans were personalised, detailed, and reflected individual preferences and communication needs
  - Published: 2020-10-12

### responsive

- Finding
  - Complaints procedure
  - Published: 2020-10-12
- Finding
  - Care planning and personalisation
  - Published: 2020-10-12

### safe

- Finding
  - Recruitment
  - Published: 2020-10-12
- Finding
  - Staffing levels
  - Published: 2020-10-12
- Finding
  - Risk assessment
  - Published: 2020-10-12
- Finding
  - Medicines management
  - Published: 2020-10-12
- Finding
  - Safeguarding
  - Published: 2020-10-12

### well_led

- Finding
  - Policies, procedures and staff meetings
  - Published: 2020-10-12
- Finding
  - Quality assurance
  - Published: 2020-10-12
- Finding
  - Registered manager and notifications
  - Published: 2020-10-12

## Source

Data published by the [Care Quality Commission](https://www.cqc.org.uk/) under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Canonical page: https://homecarecompass.co.uk/agency/1-112944118

HomeCare Compass is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the CQC.