ESPA Agency

ESPA Agency is a home care agency based in Sunderland, registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide personal care to people in their own homes. It most likely works within about 9 miles of its Sunderland office, which is our estimate rather than something the agency has told us. It is registered to care for people with a learning disability or autism. It is part of Education and Services for People with Autism, which has 3 branches in England. The agency has been registered since January 2011.

ESPA Agency has not yet received a CQC rating. This is normal for a newly registered agency; the CQC usually inspects within its first year or so.

ESPA Agency has not published its rates and we are still collecting figures for Sunderland. Across England agencies usually charge £26 to £36 an hour for visits and £1,200 to £1,750 a week for live-in care. Ask for a written price list that shows the weekend and bank holiday rates and the shortest visit they will do.

There are 43 registered home care agencies in Sunderland. Others working the same area include Signa Care Group, Westhome Care Services Limited and Housing & Care 21 Dovecote Meadow. A self-employed carer found through PrimeCarers charges £18 to £25 an hour, and live-in care from about £1,120 a week.