‘Excellent’ evaluation for SNAP Inverness after unplanned visit from Care Inspectorate
The chief executive of an Inverness-based charity who run a variety of services for children and young adults with additional needs, has hailed its “special team” after receiving a glowing evaluation from the Care Inspectorate.
Inspectors visited SNAP Inverness in a three-day unannounced visit from August 27-29, and assessing the service at Drummond School, they found it to be of an “excellent” standard in areas of staff team and supporting wellbeing.
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SNAP (Special Needs Action Project) exists to improve the lives of young people with additional needs by providing social experiences, building self-esteem, and encouraging independence.
Holding events at Drummond School and the Haven, they provide opportunities for making friends and socialising supported by our caring and experienced staff and volunteer team.
After the visit, SNAP received a score of six - the highest that can be attained in any category, in both areas of evaluation - after inspectors spoke with staff, management, the chair of the board and an external visitor.
Inspectors also took the time to join children, young people and young adults in various groups settings, and received verbal feedback from 10 family members.
The report from the Care Inspectorate stated that a “culture of care, support and learning emanated from exceptional management and leadership.”
They also noted that the “team were fully engaged in an ongoing programme of learning and development and were encouraged to support their colleagues every bit as much as they supported the young people and families they called the SNAP family.”
It was noted that this created a positivity that the team carried and that the young people and families experienced.
Dawn Walker, chief executive of SNAP, said: “We are extremely proud of this huge achievement, especially given the fact that we have effectively doubled in size this past year while at the same time seeing cuts to our funding.
“We are just delighted that the special team we have at SNAP have been recognised in this way.”
One parent of a SNAP user said: “I cannot speak highly enough of the team at SNAP, they have created such a fun and safe space for all of the young people that use the service.
“The members of the team really take the time to get to know each individual young person, building trust and providing activities and social experiences which they love'.”
Other parents commented: “Everything about SNAP is really in a class of its own beyond anything I have experienced in my daughter's life to date.
“The staff team at SNAP are highly skilled and motivated. The organisation is managed superbly by the team leaders and everyone who works for SNAP are incredibly skilled and caring, as a parent you really feel the care and attention they lavish on their clients.”
