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Emergency and disaster planning for Client Services
Pride Disability Services Pty Ltd emergency and disaster planning for clients of which includes the physical care or supervision of clients as well as telehealth support for clients, Pride disability services shall execute the emergency and disaster plan in the following scenarios: Client uncontactable for more than three days, impact to client supervision, support or programs due to hazards or behaviour and client in non-contactable for an appointment with a support worker. The Operations Manager owns and updates the emergency preparedness plan which shall include provisions for execution of plans to support clients and client supports through these events and ensure that all records and actions are undertaken in accordance with this plan. For the purpose of emergency and disaster planning, the term “supervision” includes a client who is under the jurisdiction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and receiving support services from Pride Disability Services. Pride Disability Services shall no later than 12 months post the Directors approval and sign off, review the plan and advise of whether any modifications to the plan are necessary. The Directors of Pride Disability agree to review to these recommendations whilst reviewing any recorded actions taken under this policy and respond with their recommendations within thirty (30) days of receipt of the original or updated plan, accepting, rejecting, or requesting modifications. In the event of an emergency, for instance natural disasters Pride Disability Services may implement immediate actions to support the clients above and beyond what is outlined in this plan and provide agreed emergency relief provisions as required that are directly related to the situation.
This emergency and disaster plan will be implemented in the case of any emergency that places participants at risk that is either due to health, behaviour or unforseen events such as extreme heat that may bring client interactions to an end. In all cases that this emergency and disaster plan is executed a full report, review must occur with the event and actions logged on the register. The operations manager must also be advised of any events that may place the client at risk. This plan has been determined by meeting the needs of the participants via Intake and assessment, registrations and formalized supports meet by Pride Disability Services. This plan outlines the capacity of Pride Disability Services, its staff and individuals who are significant to the participant/s life, in relation to supporting and managing known issues. Pride Disability Services has produced this emergency and disaster plan in order to reduce potential hazards and stress for the participant in the event of an emergency.
Details
Situation or concern/behaviour
In the event of the support staff becoming unable to support the participant/s due to illness, Pride Disability services will organise additional staff to ensure support continues. Pride Disability Services has on call supports for weekends and public holidays to ensure that support is provided for these scenarios. In the instance a replacement staff member can not be located the scenario will be escalated to the operations manager and the client will be supported to return home with provisions for care being made.
Participant/s is injured or becomes ill
Support person is injured or becomes ill
If a participant goes missing, the Victorian Police will be contacted after 30 minutes and all efforts will be made to locate the participant. If the participant is high risk with significant disability police will be contacted immediately. Pride Disability Services are to contact the clients next of kin following contact with police, and a full incident statement is to be drafted. Counselling is to be offered to the staff member associated.
Client goes missing
Pride Disability Services will negotiate with the clients support, next of kin and any other stakeholders to ensure the safe return of the client home. The client is not to travel on their own to their residence. Should the behaviour be aggressive towards Pride Disability Staff, the issue is to be escalated to the operations manager, who will assist with managing supports for both client and staff and call in any necessary supports such as VIC Police.
Behaviour that may require removal of participant/s from programs
All participants participating in any Pride Disability Services programs including Support/Car/Outreach / Open Choices / holiday programs have provided emergency contact details. These contacts are updated when new service agreements are required.
Emergency contacts details not updated
In the event of the unforeseen closure of program due to emergency, Pride Disability Services will provide drop off participants as per arranged.
Unforseen closure of programs.
Prior to Summer, Pride Disability Services will issue to all its members a summer requirement letter requesting that the following items will need to be packed and accompany them to every program;
• Bottle of water or money to purchase a bottle of water
• Packed lunch or money to purchase lunch
• Hat
• 30+ Sun cream or higher
• Adequate money for public transport
• Companion cards / Concession cards
In the event of extreme heat, Pride Vic will monitor any heat health alerts which will be made available from the Department of Health website or by Team Leader Agency Connections Local Connections | Barwon Area | West Division Department of Human Services. Pride Disability Services will redirect any outside activities/programs to in shade or under shelter facilities which may include but not limited to;
• Shopping Centres
• Neighbourhood Houses
• Community Centres
• Public access buildings i.e. library, museum etc….
Summer and Extreme heat conditions
In the event a participant becomes ill with symptoms of the Corona Virus, or has contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the virus, telehealth options will be offered to the client to support them. The client will be supported to ensure that they have access to adequate food and domestic assistance to ensure of their recovery and wellbeing. Further information can be found on the Covid Action Plan. To ensure the health and wellbeing of all clients in a pandemic – various options of support including a telehealth model is to be utilised. Communication to all staff and clients is to be sent through Shift Care to update clients on support staff availability, telehealth model and any pandemic information such as requirements to “lockdown”. Support calls to most vulnerable clients to ensure safety, health and wellbeing.
Corona Virus (COV-19) or other pandemic
In the event that a client is uncontactable for a telehealth service/or other administrative discussion, follow up phone calls are to be made to the client for three days. Post this emergency contact persons are then to be contacted. If there is no contact following this then the Victorian Police are to be contacted and advised of the situation.
Client uncontactable
Should a client not attend for a support/care shift, the telephone contact is to be made initially. Should the client have a support/care shift the following day then this is to occur as per normal.
Client did not show for support/care shift
In all instances of a natural disaster the client is to be advised to follow local advice from Police/Fire/SES and in particular any evacuation orders. Pride Disability Services are to follow the NDIS lead with regarding to supporting clients in these effected areas. Pride Disability Services support staff to make welfare calls to impacted clients once the authorities advise that any evacuation orders have been rescinded.
Natural disasters – Fire, Flood, Storms etc
Pride Disability staff will ensure the safe return of the client to their residence, ensure that they are safe to be at home, either with support, triage nursing assessment or client demonstrates capacity to selfcare.