Suitsme's response to COVID-19 (Corona Virus)
Suitsme cares about the health of our staff and clients, particularly with the COVID-19 pandemic, and we want you to be safe. We will still be providing support but will take some additional measure to help everyone stay safe. Suitsme strongly encourages vaccination for the health and safety of clients, workers and the wider community.
As a worker the most important thing for you to do is to remain up to date with communications from Suitsme management, this web page and the government. Make sure you adhere to all policies or contact us if you are unsure.
Before you provide any face to face supports always ask the client and yourself the following screening questions:
- Do you have a fever or a high temperature and are you experiencing shortness of breath, cough or a sore throat?
- As far as you know, have you been in contact with someone who has been infected with COVID-19 or is self-isolating because of COVID-19?
- Are you currently required to self isolate in line with government guidelines?
If you or the client answer yes to any of these questions, face to face supports can not be provided. Cancel the shift and contact Suitsme management.
During face to face support, you must always follow government advice. This includes:
- Wash your hands prior to the session beginning or use hand sanitizer (it must be alcohol-based > 60%) if hand washing facilities are not available. Continue to do this regularly throughout the session. Workers can purchase alcohol based hand sanitizer and be reimbursed by Suitsme.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Dispose of the tissue immediately and wash your hands.
- Maintain 1.5 meters distance between each other during the session.
- Where possible, do not enter the client’s house. Arrange to meet them outside and deliver support outside.
- Transport should only be provided if it is essential and all other options have been exhausted. More information on transport is available here.
- Everyone in WA is required to check in when visiting venues. Suitsme workers are encouraged to use the SafeWA app and encourage clients to do the same
- Workers are encouraged to download the COVIDSafe app and should encourage clients to do the same.
For more information on how to deliver indirect and remote supports indirectly or remotely.
Information
Here you will find links and practical information about COVID-19
Indirect and Remote Support
What is indirect support?
Usually Suitsme workers do things with you. Indirect support means they can do things for you.
For example:
- Going to do your shopping
- Collecting prescriptions on our behalf
- Helping you to arrange delivery of essential items
- Pretty much doing your daily, odd jobs for you
The idea of this is that you minimize contact with the worker, therefore reducing the risk of COVID-19 spreading.
What is remote support?
Remote support means the worker supports you via technology, without visiting you.
You can do this over the phone, or using a chat app, such as:
- Facetime
- Skype
- Zoom
- Hangouts
Social distancing is isolating so part of Remote support can just mean checking in and having someone to chat too. You can also get creative and do fun stuff as you hang out virtually. Here's some ideas of how you can stay connected to you're worker remotely- Keep each other motivated and do an at home workout. There's heaps of workouts on Youtube that are designed to do at home with no equipment, and are suitable for all levels of fitness. Here's one you could try.
- It doesn't have to be a workout; pretty much any activity can be done while you're hanging out virtually. Here's some examples,
- If you're not confident with technology this is a great opportunity to learn some new skills. Your worker can help you do things like sorting out your emails and learning to share documents online.
- If we're stuck inside, it's a good opportunity to set some goals and get ready for your next NDIS plan
I'm sure you can think of lots of other ideas. Join the Suitsme Community Facebook group and share your ideas!
Transporting Clients
Before you transport a client
The potential issue with transporting clients is that it is difficult to maintain social distancing when in a car together. It is also recognised that sometimes there is no other option. Suitsme workers are allowed to transport clients when all other options have been exhausted.
Before you transport a client, you should think about options like:
- Walking
- Them taking a taxi or rideshare and meeting you at the location. Clients may be able to use their NDIS funding to cover this cost and should speak to Suitsme management for further details.
- Public transport
- A delivery service.
- NDIS has worked with supermarkets to have priority delivery for NDIS participants
- Clients may be eligible for this State government funded program
- NDIS funding can be used to purchase ready made meals from providers like The Good Meal Co, We Feed You and Nourishd. Clients can chat to Suitsme management about reallocating funding for this.
When providing tranport
A worker providing essential travel, must follow these rules:
- Ensure your car is clean before you start your shift
- Prior to the client getting in the car, clean surfaces with disinfectant wipes so that the potential spread of infection can be minimised. You should focus on high use areas such as seatbelts, window buttons and door handles.
- Disinfect your hands with hand sanitiser after cleaning the car.
- The client must sit in the back, passenger side seat.
- When you return to the client’s home, repeat the process of cleaning surfaces with disinfectant wipes focusing on high use areas such as seatbelts, window buttons and door handles. It is appropriate to ask the client to assist with this and disinfect the areas where they were sitting.
Staff Reimbursements
What will Suitsme reimburse?
Suitsme will reimburse workers for the cost of compliance with Suitsme's COVID-19 policies (which are based on government guidelines). Here’s the specifics:
- Suitsme will reimburse reasonable costs for hand sanitiser, as long as the worker has worked at least one face to face shift.
- Suitsme will reimburse reasonable costs for disinfectant wipes, as long as the worker has transported a client in their car.
- Suitsme will not reimburse the cost of any PPE (such as face masks of gloves) without prior discussion and approval.
How to claim a reimbursement
- Buy the product and keep the receipt
- Send the receipt to hello@suitsme.app with the heading "COVID-19 reimbursement"
- Get paid the reimbursement in that pay cycle
Vulnerable Workers
Am I a vulnerable worker?
People who are likely to be at higher risk of serious illness if they are infected with the virus include:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and older with one or more chronic medical conditions
- People 65 years and older with one or more chronic medical conditions
- People 70 years and older
- People with compromised immune systems
- There is limited evidence available to assess the risk in pregnant women.
If you feel you are a vulnerable worker then we encourage you to contact Suitsme management to discuss this.
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