Formerly House with No Steps and The Tipping Foundation
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Supported Independent Living and Respite

There are changes to our Supported Independent Living and Respite services. Read about them here.

The information below was published on 13 February 2021, and it is still current.

Supported Independent Living

There are state-based changes in our Supported Independent Living (SIL) homes.

Queensland

The Queensland Government  has released its Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No.14)

Due to the recent COVID-19 case in Greater Melbourne, anyone who has been in Greater Melbourne on or after 29 January 2021 cannot enter our SIL services unless 14 days have passed since you were in Greater Melbourne.

You may enter if you have been in Greater Melbourne on or after 29 January 2021 if you obtain a negative COVID-19 test and are:

  • an employee, contractor, or student of the accommodation service
  • providing goods or services necessary for the accommodation service’s operation
  • providing health, medical, social work, essential disability support or
  • pharmaceutical services to a resident
  • required for emergency management, law enforcement or to comply with a power or function of a government agency or entity
  • required to comply with or give effect to an order of any court or tribunal
  • a prospective resident
  • providing behavioural, emotional or social support to a resident or prospective resident that can’t be delivered by non-contact means – with permission of the accommodation service operator
  • attending for an end of life visit.

You may be requested to provide evidence of the negative COVID-19 test when entering.

If you have been in a public exposure site as listed by the Victorian Government you cannot enter our SILs Queensland for any purpose unless you have an exemption for an end of life visit. You must get a COVID-19 test and quarantine for 14 days.

New South Wales

The below is based on the latest NSW Government advice. They took effect 4 February.

There are restrictions for visitors, staff and residents of Supported Independent Living (SIL) homes located in areas of concern as COVID-19 may be circulating in the community.

Any person who has visited the following locations during the dates and times identified should immediately isolate, get tested and remain isolated for 14 days.

  • any person who has been to any Victorian venues of concern since 29 January 2021
  • any person who has been to any Western Australian Locations or the Perth, Peel or South West Regions of Western Australia since 25 January 2021
  • any person who has been to any contact tracing locations of interest in New Zealand

ACT

Family / carers visits can go ahead – they can now be both social visits and visits for ‘care and support’.

Visits still need to be pre-arranged with staff.

Customers can leave the SIL to visit another household, such as a parent or sibling.

Overnight stays are now permitted. This includes the customer’s family, partner relatives, or friend’s home. There are no limits on the number of nights a customer can be away from the SIL. Upon returning to the SIL precautions must still be taken to minimise any risks, such as immediate hand hygiene, changing & washing clothes and taking a shower before interactions with other residents occur.

Victoria

There are restrictions on visitors. Visits are only for care and support. A customer is allowed one visitor, per day, for an hour.

Our staff will continue to wear masks at all times. Customers will also need to wear masks when out and about in the community.

In-home customer support by external providers

Third-party providers are now permitted to enter Aruma services provided they adhere to service guidelines.

Refusing someone entry to our SIL homes

Our staff have the right to refuse someone entry to a site if they have:

  • Recently returned from overseas or a designated Hot Zone. Any person who has returned from overseas or a restricted zone is legally obliged to self-isolate for 14 days. Where this has not been carried out, you can highlight the Government requirements and that Aruma could be subject to fines should we not comply.
  • Are unwell with flu-like symptoms, such as a cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath or fever of 37.5 degrees or higher
  • Declared that they are unwell on the sign-in sheet.
  • Declared that they have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the last 14 days.

Respite

Respite services in NSW are now open. Numbers will be restricted to ensure we can comply with social distancing guidelines.

New South Wales

Southern NSW

  • Horsley: Open
  • Nowra Hill: Open
  • Berkeley: Open

Western NSW

  • Forbes: Open

Northern NSW

  • Warners Bay: Open
  • Armidale: Open
  • Alstonville: Open

Victoria

Based on Government direction, the number of people attending at any one time may be limited. Please speak to your local service manager for further information on whether your service will be re-opening and what the number limits may be.