Welcome to the 36th 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 meets as required and met earlier today.
Below is the status of all Knoxbrooke services after incorporating the latest Victorian Government COVID-19 advice.
365 in-home support
365 in-home support continues to be available with more robust guidelines for disability services in place. All employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt.
Support in group homes will be temporarily suspended with support to be provided by the group home provider. Support outside of group homes will continue.
Should you wish to discuss using the 365 support service, please contact Paul McDonald, 365 Services Coordinator on 0499 501 008 or email paul.mcdonald@knoxbrooke.com.au
Achieve
Achieve will re-open as scheduled on 10 January 2022 for employees and 17 January 2022 for students. The Hub will also be available for Achieve activities. Excursions will be risk-assessed and will be limited at this point in time. Masks are to be worn when indoors. All employees and Achieve students are vaccinated unless medically exempt. Registration of attendance is required on arrival.
Should you wish to discuss Achieve, please contact Michael Beavis, Achieve Team Leader on 0475 300 505 or email michael.beavis@knoxbrooke.com.au
Yarra View Garden Centre
The Garden Centre is open to the public. Registration of attendance is required on arrival. Mask to be worn when indoors. All employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt.
Yarra View & Bushland Flora Nurseries
All nursery sites are open. Registration of attendance is required on arrival. Masks are to be worn when indoors and all employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt. Movement between sites is limited where possible.
Knoxbrooke Outsource
Knoxbrooke Outsource is open. Registration of attendance is required on arrival. Masks are to be worn when indoors and all employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt.
Ringwood Hub
The Hub is open with staff encouraged to work from home until further advised. The Hub will also be available to Achieve. Registration of attendance is required on arrival. Masks to be worn when indoors and all employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt. The main line (03) 9758-3666 will be attended to remotely.
Mawarra Day Services
The Day Service will re-open as scheduled on 10 January 2022. Registration of attendance is required on arrival. Masks are to be worn when indoors and all employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt. Day service clients are strongly recommended to be vaccinated.
Jigsaw Industries
Jigsaw will re-open as scheduled on 10 January 2022. Registration of attendance is required on arrival. Masks are to be worn when indoors and all employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt.
Waratah Gardening
Waratah Gardening is open. Registration of attendance is required on arrival. Masks are to be worn when indoors and all employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt.
Mawarra Op Shop and Sorting Centre
The Op Shop is open and the Sorting Centre will re-open as scheduled on 10 January 202 Registration of attendance is required on arrival. Mask to be worn when indoors. All employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt.
Knoxbrooke COVID-19 Preparedness
Knoxbrooke has in place a well-prepared COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan. The Emergency Response Plan has been tested on five occasions through different simulations and also navigated a number of positive COVID-19 cases.
We have well-drilled protocols in place to ensure the safety of clients, families, carers and team members. WorkSafe attended two Knoxbrooke premises and inspected our COVID-safe plan and was satisfied Knoxbrooke was taking appropriate safety measures. Regardless the COVID-safe plans continue to be reviewed and updated accordingly.
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
(Please refer to https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/staying-safe for further information)
If a client or employee has symptoms and gets tested for COVID-19 and is awaiting a PCR test result, please remember to advise Knoxbrooke via email (covid19@knoxbrooke.com.au).
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.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kristian Dauncey
Group CEO