Information for Employees

Scope has revised and enacted our pandemic plan, established an Incident Management Plan (IMP) for confirmed cases of the virus (both employees and customers), set up a helpline for employees to support customers and is encouraging social distancing to slow and stop the spread of infection.

A key part of our response is making sure our services have the support, supplies and resources needed to support customers safely.  This includes infection control kits and as required, personal protective equipment (PPE).

In line with current advice from the Victorian Government, our guidelines for when to use PPE are:

• All disability support workers are to wear a single use mask at all times, unless eating or drinking.
• Staff working directly with clients are to wear eye protection (face shields/goggles). Each employee will be given their own pair of eye protection, which can be reused.
• When a customer is tested, the house moves to self-isolation.
• The staff member assigned to the customer who was tested wears PPE because that customer has symptoms.
• As per the Government’s direction, we are not using full PPE as part of everyday other than what would normally be used for daily support.
• If a customer is tested and the results are positive, full PPE will be worn by the employees providing support to that person. If necessary, customers who are able to wear PPE will be supported to do so.

Scope is following the same social distancing principles as advised by the Australian Government. A guide to social distancing has been provided to SIL services to assist with how day to day support may need to be managed this is also available on the Intranet.

Please communicate with all customers and residents what social distancing is and why we are enforcing it.

Please make sure that your line manager is aware of your personal situation as early as possible. This is important as each scenario will be considered individually. We will work with each person to identify what support is provided.

Yes. You should also get a COVID test and follow the government’s directions to isolate.

We encourage you to inform your Manager if you are getting a test.

Scope takes the safety of our customers and employees very seriously. Therefore, our clear focus is asking that employees follow the above requirements; and thereby best demonstrate the Scope Approach when managing this situation.

Our local response team will put their plan into action, including supporting the home where the person may have recently worked.

If you’ve been tested positive please inform your Manager so we can support you.

If you live with that person or have been in close contact with them, the you should not attend work until the test result is clear.

Everyone in Victoria can get a free COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines are currently available for everyone aged 16 years and over.

Now. All staff working in the disability sector can access vaccine.

You must book an appointment to get your vaccine at a state-run vaccination centre. You can book online or by calling 1800 675 398. For an interpreter, press 0.

When booking online, you will be able to view and select clinic locations based on the location you enter.

Bookings can also be made through the local GP network and many pharmacies are now taking booking for vaccination. Check-out what is in your local area.

For frontline staff

All staff who provide direct support to customers will receive an additional 2 hours of paid time if you make an appointment in your own time to have the vaccine.

To access this incentive payment, please organize an appointment outside of your rostered shifts.

When making your booking and attending the service where you’re going to be vaccinated, please remember to take the employer letter previously provided to you so that they know you work in a priority sector.

Once vaccinated, please email proof of your vaccination to PandCCovid@scopeaust.org.au.                                                                                         This information will be kept confidential and only accessed by P&C to process your payment.

For all other staff

Scope staff who do not provide direct support to customers can take time off during regular work hours to access vaccine.  Your Manager will work with you to organise this time.

When you attend the service where you’re going to be vaccinated, please remember to take the employer letter so that they know you work in disability services so that they know you work in a priority sector.

COVID vaccines have been approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration Australia – the National approving body. The vaccine is safe and effective.

It is important that you speak with your GP or vaccine service provider regarding your personal circumstances. Information is available here.

Many people experience mild flu like symptoms post the vaccination. This is easily managed with pain and/or fever relief medication. For further information you can read up on the vaccines here.

No.

If you have an immune condition or a history of a severe allergic reaction to other vaccines, it is important to discuss these issues with your GP.

You will have some protection but you need two separate doses (injections) of the vaccine to give you the best protection against COVID-19.

The two doses need to be given a few weeks apart.

When you attend your appointment for your first vaccine, you will be booked in for your second dose.

We are not keeping your COVID vaccine information for use other than for reference to make payment as per your entitlement. (See Q.4)

It is your choice to have the COVID-19 vaccine. It is not mandatory and at this time no one can make you have it.

The vaccine is recommended for the most vulnerable members of our community.

Scope strongly encourages you to participate in the vaccination program, but it is your choice.

In the event of an outbreak, Scope will be guided by the Chief Medical Officer on how to support vaccinated and unvaccinated staff.

Yes, you should be able to work after your injection if you feel well.

You will be given advice on the day of vaccine that tells you what to look for and how to manage post vaccine.

Scope is providing information to customers and families and there is a range of information sheets available on the Department of Health’s website including Easy Read sheets. There are links on the COVID hub of the Scope Intranet.

Non SIL customers should access their own usual medical support.

For SIL customers the Scope Information Sheet for Customers and the Government information sheets should be made available to Customers and families. These include the consent process.

Customers and families should be encouraged and supported to make appointments with their GP.

Support can be provided with transport arrangements and communication.

See the Intranet here on resources on having conversations with Customers.

Scope Intranet

• Vaccine Notice – Customers and Decision Makers Informed Consent
• Vaccine Notice – Staff Supporting Customers and Decision Makers Informed Consent
• OPA Guideline on the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine

No. Not unless public health directions change – everyone must follow the directions of the Chief Medical Officer to prevent contact with the virus and spreading it from place to place / person to person.

If you are requested to support a COVID-19 positive case, you will need to complete the COVID-19 Infection Control online training offered by the Australian Government.

If you are a therapist, it is optional if you want to complete the training as you are not expected to work with a client who is COVID-19 positive.

Here is the link to the COVID-19 Infection Control Training:

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps–and–tools/covid–19–infection–control–training

Employees should provide a signed medical certificate from their doctor that clears them to return to work.

If they have been tested for coronavirus (COVID-19), and the test has returned negative, they should provide a certificate or the test results as evidence that they have been cleared.

If you are a support worker, make sure you inform your doctor of your essential duties in supporting customers and why it’s important for you to have a medical certificate.

Our focus is to ensure we continue services to customers while keeping everyone as safe as possible. We will ensure that all crucial supports will be accessible, including the Workforce Admin team to support with anticipated roster changes.

If you are able to, try to work from home.

However, if you are not able to work your normal arrangements, you can apply for your accrued Annual or Long Service Leave.

If you don’t have enough Annual or Long Service leave; you can apply for paid Discretionary Leave from your General Manager – Paid Discretionary Leave Application Form

Scope will monitor any discretionary leave granted in these circumstances. It’s being provided on the basis that employees seek to make alternate care arrangements which can reduce the time away from their job.

We want to support you as much as possible but are unable to fund such absences indefinitely.

Permanent or contract staff who don’t have enough sick leave can apply for paid Discretionary Leave to cover the rest of your absence.

Casual staff who are unwell with coronavirus (COVID-19) can also apply for paid discretionary leave.

To help ease the burden on the health system, you will not need to get a medical certificate for your absence however you will need to have medical clearance before you return to work. Please see question above What does Scope require by way of medical clearance?

Apply for your accrued Annual or Long Service Leave.

If you don’t have enough Annual or Long Service leave; you can apply for paid Discretionary Leave.

Scope will monitor any discretionary leave granted in these circumstances. It’s being provided on the basis that employees seek to make alternate care arrangements which can reduce the time away from their job.

We want to support you as much as possible but are unable to fund such absences indefinitely.

You may be called on during this time to assist with Scope’s response, this could potentially be providing support of one kind or another to our houses e.g. deliveries. It will be based on factors such as your skillset, experiences and geography.

If a DLO closes, employees from this site may be reassigned to provide support at another DLO or SIL or help cover employees who can’t make it to work.

If your family is following self-isolation protocols and the travelling family member is showing no symptoms, you may attend work.

However, if the family member has a diagnosis of coronavirus (COVID-19), a medical clearance certificate will be required.

No you do not need to isolate from interstate travel.

Over the last year, we’ve all learnt the ways to stay COVID safe:

• Wearing masks indoors and outdoors line with current government advice (unless it’s your home)
• Staying home in line with government advice
• Practicing social distancing
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet.
• Cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and wash your hands.
• Reduce contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people when practicable).
• Direct family members and visitors to the website for up to date information

Scope is also encouraging everyone to access the COVID-19 vaccine.

If a SIL customer is being tested, the house will commence self isolation. You will then need to follow the SIL COVID-19 Self Isolation Guide. This guide can be found on the intranet, any questions please talk to your manager. Decisions will be made on a situational basis and be directed by the Local COVID-19 response team.

For other customers, we’ve already made changes to services to avoid face-to-face contact, so you don’t need to do anything else for the customer.

In all instances, please make sure you inform your Manager.

If a customer is waiting results or has been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19), Scope requests the customer remains in hospital until medical clearance is provided. We have prepared a letter of support which staff can use if they need to talk to the hospital about this. We do know this can be challenging and so once you are aware a test is taking place please inform your Manager.

In a house that is social distancing follow your normal infection control procedure and ensure good hygiene practices to prevent infection.

For a house where a customer is being tested the self-isolation guide will be followed.

Infection control aims at minimising the risk of the spread of infection by limiting the exposure of people to mico-organisms that may cause the infection whilst maintaining the rights and dignity of individuals.

Make sure you are following the Infection Control Procedure, practising good hygiene and social distancing, following the guidelines given to SIL services.

• For SIL residents in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, there are only 5 reasons to leave home – Shopping for food or other essential items
• To provide care giving, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
• For exercise (outdoor exercise only, with only one other person or members of your household)
• For authorised work
• To get vaccinated

For other areas, we advise limiting all outings including those that help manage customer behaviours such as bus rides.

This advice is in accordance with Victorian Government guidelines for disability services.