As we approach a new wave of COVID-19 infections in the community, it is important to ensure families, participants, staff and the community understand the current community guidelines vs disability guidelines, the support available to you during this time, the latest vaccine updates and COVID Safe practises.
COVID SAFE PRACTICES AT OC CONNECTIONS
With community cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise, OC Connections is strengthening its COVIDSafe practises, including the introduction of daily rapid antigen testing and wearing of face shields for staff and visitors.
Those staff who can limit their on site attendance during this time will work from home. For those staff and visitors who are required on site the following COVID Safe practices will be implemented:
staff
Rapid Antigen Testing prior to entering a site (one per day)
Temperature checks and QR Code sign ins
wear N95 masks, ensuring they are worn prior to entry to site
wear face shields when providing supports or accessing areas that participants may access.
not attend more than 1 OCC site on any given day
work from home where able as per the Victorian government recommendation – Corporate office attendance to reduce to 25%
Staff working in an office or enclosed areas are to have a window open and the door open as much as possible
continue to notify of close contact or covid positive situations
In addition:
participants
staff will avoid taking participants to busy areas and to avoid large shopping centres
participants who are close contacts are to provide negative RAT results for the each day of attendance for 7 days after being advised of a close contact period otherwise, the participants will be required to stay at home
Visitors & Contractors
All visitors to houses and other sites must produce a negative RAT, or do a RAT prior to entry – no exceptions. This must be sighted by staff before entry can occur
All visitors to houses and other sites must undertake a temperature check and use the QR code prior to entry
All visitors must wear an N95 mask and face shields upon entry to any OCC sites where participants are present
Anyone not complying must meet with staff/participants outdoors
Staff are to escalate to their manager where a visitor or contractor is refusing to comply
All visitors must be limited to attending 1 OCC site on any given day – this includes maintenance contractors etc
In addition, the 4th COVID Booster dose is encouraged for anyone who is eligible to have it. You can find out more here.
You can also read all of our COVID-19 updates here.
The Australian Government will soon review the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission, including employment services and opportunities for people living with disability. Around 16,000 people living with disabilities work as Supported Employees across Australia. Working in Supported Employment makes a significant difference in the lives of people with disability – engaging in work helps […]
“Expression” Exhibition at Cardinia Cultural Centre
The OC Art Space provides a welcoming, encouraging environment for participants to learn creative forms of self-expression. Living with intellectual and developmental disabilities can feel isolating, especially when your natural type of communication isn’t widely understood. That’s why support staff Renate and Val have worked to build a strong foundation at OC Connections for participants […]
In July, two residents from our Oakleigh Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) made the trip up to Echuca to participate in a game of footy with Moama Rockets! Tim and Bart are members of the Mazenod Panthers in Glen Waverly, an all-abilities football club that goes up against teams from around Victoria. They woke up bright […]