During these challenging times, the health, safety and wellbeing of our clients, carers, children, young people and employees are our top priority. We are doing everything necessary to protect our clients and support our staff in their roles.
We are closely monitoring advice from Australian federal and state health authorities and taking appropriate actions based on this advice. We are also in close communication with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
What Challenge Community Services is doing
In line with evolving health guidelines, we are modifying our work practices to help protect our staff and clients. Current measures include:
- Applying increased hygiene standards for all clients, carers, employees and visitors to Challenge sites with extra precautions for Supported Independent Living homes
- Limiting non-essential face-to-face contact in our workplaces, with some employees working from home
- Ensuring employees who have returned from overseas strictly adhere to self-isolation practices
- Conducting regular general health checks and supporting clients to seek medical assistance if necessary.
What you can do
There is a lot you can do to help protect yourself and others in the community. This includes:
- Reviewing daily schedules and adjusting activities where necessary to minimise non-essential outings and exposure to large groups or crowded locations
- Staying home if you’re not feeling well or have any of the following symptoms:
- fever
- coughing
- sore throat
- significant fatigue
- shortness of breath
- Washing your hands with soap for 30 seconds every hour as well as after you have had direct contact with another person, when preparing food, and after using the bathroom
- Practising good personal hygiene by coughing or sneezing into your elbow, rather than your hands
- Disposing of any used tissues immediately, ideally in a covered bin
- Avoiding physical contact when greeting other people, including shaking hands, hugging and kissing.
This may mean you are unable to attend your Day Program or other community event. Although this may be disappointing, it’s important to follow these guidelines to protect others in the community, especially those more vulnerable.
Where to get accurate information
There is a lot information circulating in the news and on social media. Not all of it is accurate or useful. Stay up to date with accurate information at:
Australian Government Department of Health COVID-19 information
New South Wales Heath COVID-19 information
Queensland Health COVID-19 information
NDIS and disaster response COVID-19 information
NDIS Easy Read information and frequently asked questions
We’re here to help
If you’re a Challenge Community Services customer and have any questions about our organisational response to COVID-19, please contact your support worker, case worker or other Challenge representative.
If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19, or are an NDIS customer, contact the NSW Department of Health hotline 1800 020 080 (24 hours a day, seven days a week).
As a community we can all work together to slow the spread of the virus. By following government health guidelines and supporting each other, we will get through this. We will come out the other side.
With best wishes
Barry Murphy
Chief Executive Officer
Challenge Community Services
