ESPA has a proven record for being totally committed to supporting the development of its workforce. The company has a strong learning culture; individual staff recognise the value of their own personal contributions both as trainers and learners. Staff are encouraged to develop to their full potential, with many achieving levels they had never previously aspired to prior to employment with ESPA.

ESPA has an active, well-established Learning and Development Centre that provides and co-ordinates training opportunities to support ESPA staff in the life-long learning and development of skills to meet the specific needs of the ESPA service user group. We encourage flexible learning approaches to suit the individual needs of our learners. We constantly strive to develop new courses to meet the ever changing requirements of ESPA service users and improve standards.

Confidential help with literacy and numeracy can be arranged to support staff to achieve qualifications

Opportunities to train, learn, develop and achieve qualifications are provided in-house and centrally - using internal and external trainers as well as members of the ESPA multi-disciplinary team - or externally by arranging access to college courses, distance learning, conferences, on-line courses etc.

ESPA Learning and Development Centre is approved by the following Awarding Bodies to offer nationally recognised qualifications:

• Learning Disability Awards Framework - NEOCN
• NVQs in Care and Training and Development - Edexcel
• Lifelong Educational Achievement Foundation (LEAF) Awards - Learning First
We offer/support an extensive range of courses and qualifications. Examples of some current courses are:
• NVQ Care Level 2 and 4
• NVQ Level 3 Promoting Independence; Caring for Children and Young People
• NVQ Level 4 Registered Manager (Adults)
• TDLB D, A and V Units
• TOPSS and LDAF Induction and Foundation
• LDAF Working with People who have Learning Disabilities, Level 2 and Level 3
• LEAF An Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders for Educational Professionals,
Level 2 and Level 3
• Certificate of Education
• PGCE
• City and Guilds 730
• Food Hygiene
• Appointed Person and Named First Aider Training
• Health and Safety
• Fire Prevention and Safety
• Load Management and People Handling
• Communication and Behaviour
• Signalong, Sign Supported English
• Risk Assessment
• MA in Autism and Education Studies (Northumbria University)

And many more……