Inverness trust-run support project SNAP for children and adults praised by care inspectors
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A SERVICE in Inverness that provides support to children, young adults and adults who have additional support needs, has received a glowing report from the Care Inspectorate.
SNAP (Special Needs Action Project) aims to “improve the lives of young people with additional needs by providing social experiences, building self-esteem and encouraging independence”.
SNAP, based at Drummond School, is a charity governed by a board of trustees.
It has developed from an early years service to offer support to adults and children.
The inspector visited two groups of children and one of young adults, and observed and joined some parts of the activities, and spoke with some young people and their parents and family members.
The report stated: “The feedback was exceptionally good. Parents were overwhelmingly positive about the experiences their children had been part of, and the inclusive and imaginative opportunities to develop new skills and have fun.
“Young people also spoke about new and fun experiences they had been part of and of ideas they had shared with the group. They spoke fondly about the staff at SNAP and their friends there.
“The inspector was able to see the ways that young people who did not communicate verbally could also share ideas and enjoy the company of others. There were exceptionally good examples of progress young people had made including their first overnight stays with the group, without their parents.”
The service was evaluated using a six-point scale where one is unsatisfactory and six is excellent.
Support for people’s wellbeing was rated six and excellent, while leadership; the staff team; the service’s setting; and planning of care and support all were rated five and very good.
“Staff and volunteers ensured that people visiting SNAP experienced a warm, friendly welcome into a very safe, very happy, and extremely inclusive environment,” said the inspector’s report.
“People experienced a very high level of compassion, dignity and respect from a team who knew them well and wanted the very best outcomes for them.
“All of the staff spoken with were passionate about their role in supporting young people to have fantastic experiences and lots of fun.
“Opportunities were hugely enhanced by the inclusive ‘can do’ approach to people’s ideas and interests.
“There were endless examples
of creative ways staff and
volunteers had turned the young people’s ideas into events and activities.
“Parents who spoke to the inspector were immensely passionate about the opportunities their children had to develop in a hugely supportive, non-judgmental environment.
“They said that their children had real friendships and this was really important to them.”
As an independent charitable organisation, SNAP currently offers support to people between the ages five and 37 years old.
The inspector was impressed that the service continued to support people who had grown up with the group and might otherwise have little or no support.
“It would be worth considering if this group particularly could be empowered to run their own group with minimal (if any) input from SNAP,” said the report.
People using the service had also received national awards and were going on to complete Inspiring Scotland Leadership courses, while now volunteering at SNAP.
