Welcome to the 17th 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 on Thursday and considered the Victoria-wide Department of Health and Human Services advice regarding the Call-to-Test service for people who have COVID-19 symptoms.
In summary, the Call-to-Test service is for people who have COVID-19 symptoms and cannot leave their home due to injury, mobility or other eligible reasons including moderate to severe physical or psychosocial disability. The Call-to-Test is also available for carers supporting a person with a disability. To access Call-to-Test, please call 1800 675 398 and select option 9 to find out if you are eligible for the service.
Below is a break-down of current Knoxbrooke services during COVID-19.
365 in-home support
In-home support for many participants and families has been an essential support throughout this crisis and will continue to be offered across all service areas. The practice of contacting participants and carers prior to team members arriving to confirm neither the participant, family or team member have any COVID-19 symptoms will continue.
For your safety, team members have undertaken COVID-19 training, are issued with PPE and are required to hand sanitise, wear a face mask and adhere to social distancing wherever possible. DHHS advice also requires 365 team members to also wear a faceshield or protective glasses at all times and has been issued.
Unfortunately, we are no longer able to offer 365 sleepovers due to COVID-19 sleepover room sanitisation requirements. We understand that this will be a blow for some participants and their families and advise this valuable service will resume in the future when possible.
365 team members continue to be limited to working exclusively with no more than 3 participants.
Should you wish to discuss 365 support, please contact Paul McDonald, 365 Services Coordinator on 0499 501 008 or email paulm@knoxbrooke.com.au
Basecamps
The Basecamps remain closed until further notice and we would encourage all participants to explore the Zoom sessions which have been well received and are a wonderful way of staying connected.
Should you wish to discuss Zoom support, please contact Gai Campbell, Outer East Regional Manager on 0419 534 094 or email gaic@knoxbrooke.com.au
Achieve
The Achieve service continues to be offered through the remote learning, Zoom platform.
Mawarra Day Service and 365
Mawarra Day Services continues with stage 3 restrictions in place. DHHS advice requires Mawarra team members now also wear a face shield or protective glasses.
365 for many participants and families has been an essential support throughout this crisis and will continue to be offered at Mawarra. The practice of contacting participants and carers prior to team members arriving to confirm neither the participant, family or team member have any COVID-19 symptoms will continue.
For your safety, all team members have undertaken COVID-19 training, are issued with PPE and are required to hand sanitise, wear a face mask and adhere to social distancing wherever possible. DHHS advice requires 365 team members to also wear a faceshield or protective glasses at all times.
Unfortunately, we are no longer able to offer 365 sleepovers due to COVID-19 sleepover room sanitisation requirements. We understand that this will be a blow for some participants and their families and advise this valuable service will resume when possible.
365 team members are limited to working exclusively with no more than 3 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
Jigsaw Industries and Waratah Gardening
Both social enterprises will continue under stage 3 with appropriate COVID-19 modifications being made including temperature checking on arrival, mandatory face masks, regular hand sanitising, regular wipe down of high touch points and recording of daily attendance.
Mawarra Op Shop and Sorting Centre
Both the Op Shop and Sorting Centre are closed until further notice
Yarra View Garden Centre
Yarra View Garden Centre is open for telephone and email orders with contactless pick-ups.
Yarra View Nursery & Bushland Flora
Both Yarra View Nursery and Bushland Flora are operating at reduced capacity. All employees have been advised of reduced days and PPE requirements.
Knoxbrooke Outsource
Knoxbrooke Outsource is operating at reduced capacity. All employees have been advised of reduced days and PPE requirements.
Ringwood and Warragul Hubs
The Ringwood Hub remains closed until further notice.
The Warragul Hub is open on reduced hours. Should you need to attend in person, please consider if necessary and call ahead to arrange an appointment.
Should you need to contact Knoxbrooke, please call the main line (9758-3666) and a team member working remotely will answer your call and direct as appropriate.
Knoxbrooke COVID-19 Preparedness
Knoxbrooke has in place a well-prepared COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan. The Emergency Response Plan has been tested on three occasions through different simulations. We have well-drilled protocols in place to ensure the safety of participants, families, carers and team members.
COVID-19 safety measures
Given the numbers of COVID-19 cases, please be sure to follow the DHHS advice below:
- Stay at home and get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19, however mild
- Practise good hygiene, wash your hands and cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow
- Observe social distancing by maintaining at least 1.5m from anyone you don’t live with
- Wear a face covering when you leave home
(Please refer to https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/staying-safe-covid-19 for further information)
If a participant or team member does have symptoms and gets tested for COVID-19 and is awaiting a result, please remember to advise Knoxbrooke via email (covid19@knoxbrooke.com.au) or call/SMS the Knoxbrooke COVID-19 hotline 0475 500 550.
Please re-contact Knoxbrooke once you have a result, positive or negative. For everyone’s safety, it is critical that you regularly communicate any cases of suspected or actual COVID-19.
To date, Knoxbrooke has not have a positive COVID-19 case and the COVID-19 taskforce is well-prepared to respond should this occur.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kristian Dauncey
Chief Executive Officer