Welcome to the 13th communique regarding Knoxbrooke’s response to COVID-19 coronavirus.
Knoxbrooke’s COVID-19 Taskforce continues to monitor events locally and globally and considers all new Federal, State and Local Government announcements. The health and safety of the people we support and our team is front of mind when undertaking such reviews.
Knoxbrooke’s COVID-19 Taskforce met yesterday and considered the mandatory wearing of face coverings for Greater Melbourne and Mitchell Shire which comes into effect at 11.59pm today.
Mental health well-being
Before discussing the changes to Knoxbrooke services, we would like to bring to your attention the importance of maintaining good mental health during this sustained crisis. Knoxbrooke is only too aware of the strain this ever-evolving pandemic has had on our community and we remain committed to assisting wherever possible but also understand we may not be enough.
We would encourage anyone, participants, families, carers alike to reach out for support from expert mental health services if of benefit. Details provided below:
Black Dog Institute for resources www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
Beyond Blue for crisis support 1300 22 4636
Lifeline for crisis support 13 11 14
Basecamps
Basecamps remain closed until further notice however our wonderful Zoom sessions remain available. If you haven’t tried it yet, we would encourage you to get in touch and trial this service.
365 remains available and all 365 team members have completed COVID-19 training. In addition to existing precautions, Knoxbrooke will now also require that 365 team members and participants wear a mask when support is being provided. Whilst 365 team members will carry emergency masks, it will be the responsibility of the participant and/or their carer to ensure that they source and have a mask available.
Due to the nature of stage 3, 365 support is limited to in-home support and support with local exercise. Transport is only available in very limited circumstances and 365 team members are limited to supporting no more than 5 families.
Should you wish to discuss any of the above, please contact Gai Campbell, Outer East Regional Manager on 0419 534 094 or email gaic@knoxbrooke.com.au
Achieve
Achieve is currently being provided via Zoom and will return to face-to-face when safe to do so.
Yarra View Nursery, Bushland Flora and Knoxbrooke Outsource
Mandatory wearing of masks and daily temperature checks was implemented at all metro social enterprises last week. Disposable masks will be supplied to all supported employees and staff at the start of each day for the day. Should a supported employee wish to wear an alternative mask that has been privately sourced, that is fine so long as it is a face covering and works effectively as a mask.
All metro social enterprises are now operating at reduced capacity due to COVID-19, Monday – Thursday only.
Mawarra – Reopening
Mawarra is located in Baw Baw Shire and is unaffected by stage 3 restrictions and will re-open as planned on Monday, 3 August 2020. At this stage, wearing of masks is optional for both team members and participants.
If there is more demand for Mawarra services than 4 square metre rule COVID-19 space allows, it may be necessary to reduce the number of days a participant can attend on-site. Alternatively, small group community activities or 365 in-home support may be offered.
Current arrangements at Jigsaw Industries and Waratah Garden Services remain unchanged.
365 in-home support remains available to all participants.
Should you have any questions regarding Mawarra services, please contact Claire Cutler, West Gippsland Regional Manager on 0499 600 666 or email clairec@knoxbrooke.com.au
Office arrangements
The Hub administration remains closed.
Warragul administration office is open on reduced hours; should you need to attend in person, please call ahead to avoid disappointment.
You can still call the main lines and your call will be redirected to Knoxbrooke team members working remotely.
Payment of accounts in person is unfortunately no longer possible. Payments can be made through bank transfer, direct debit or cheques/bank cheques mailed
COVID-19 Coronavirus and Knoxbrooke
Please be advised that Knoxbrooke does not have any current cases of COVID-19 coronavirus. Knoxbrooke regularly receives notifications of participants, families, carers, supported employees and staff undergoing COVID-19 tests. All results to date have returned negative. Should Knoxbrooke receive a positive notification, you will be alerted promptly.
Should you have flu-like symptoms, please follow the advice of https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus and call the Government COVID-19 HOTLINE on 1800 675 398. Note an online self-assessment is now available and may assist https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-self-assessment
Please also alert Knoxbrooke through either the Knoxbrooke HOTLINE or email below:
HOTLINE: 0475 500 550
Email: covid19@knoxbrooke.com.au
For up-to-date information on Knoxbrooke services, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 website: www.knoxbrooke.com.au/covid19
Thank you for your continued support.
Kristian Dauncey
Chief Executive Officer