Archived: Snowball Care

Updated 10 October 2014

We undertook an announced inspection to Snowball Care on 16 July 2014. We told the provider two days before our visit that we would be coming. A single inspector undertook the inspection.

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service, including the Provider Information Return (PIR). The PIR includes information from the provider about areas of good practice and areas for future improvement under each of the five questions.

At the last inspection on 28 October 2013 we found the service met the regulations we inspected.

During our inspection we went to the provider’s head office and spoke to the two managers, reviewed the care records of four people that used the service, reviewed the records for four staff and records relating to the management of the service. After the inspection visit we undertook phone calls to four care workers, three people that used the service and relatives of two people that used the service.

We also spoke with a social worker and an occupational therapist who were involved in the care provided to people who used the service.

This report was written during the testing phase of our new approach to regulating adult social care services. After this testing phase, inspection of consent to care and treatment, restraint, and practice under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) was moved from the key question ‘Is the service safe?’ to ‘Is the service effective?

The ratings for this location were awarded in October 2014. They can be directly compared with any other service we have rated since then, including in relation to consent, restraint, and the MCA under the ‘Effective’ section. Our written findings in relation to these topics, however, can be read in the ‘Is the service safe’ sections of this report.

Updated 10 October 2014

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014. 

We undertook an announced inspection to Snowball Care on 16 July 2014. We told the provider two days before our visit that we would be coming. Snowball Care provides personal care services to people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection 19 people were receiving a personal care service. 16 people were funding their own care through direct payments. The other three people had their care purchased by a London Borough.

At our last inspection in October 2013 the service was meeting the regulations inspected.

People were kept safe and free from harm. There were appropriate numbers of staff employed to meet people’s needs and provide a flexible service. Staff were able to accommodate last minute changes to appointments as requested by the person who used the service or their relatives.

Staff received regular training and were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities. They had the skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and support needs.

Staff knew the people they were supporting and provided a personalised service. Care plans were in place detailing how people wished to be supported and people were involved in making decisions about their care. People told us they liked the staff and looked forward to the staff coming to their homes.

People were supported to eat and drink. Staff supported people to attend healthcare appointments and liaised with their GP and other healthcare professionals as required to meet people’s needs.

The manager was accessible and approachable. Staff, people who used the service and relatives felt able to speak with the manager and provided feedback on the service. The manager undertook spot checks to review the quality of the service provided.