COVID-19 Engagement Plan

(Updated as at 11th December 2020)

Many Rivers recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency. All actions in respect of this are guided by expert health advice and the guiding principles for this Plan are based on the agreed measures implemented by the National Cabinet process and State/Territory directions. We are similarly guided by the position of our client and communities and community cultural considerations.

Many Rivers COVID-19 Client and Community Engagement Plan is monitored by the Executive Team and Leadership Group to provide leadership and to ensure the timely communication of information organisation wide.

The health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and that of our clients and the communities that we engage with and support is essential.

Where office-based team members attend the workplace, we have implemented safe working guidelines aligned to Government requirements.

Many Rivers COVID-19 register continues to record potential changes in employees’ health and retains all CEO COVID-19 communication to colleagues. COVID-19 remains a topic of discussion and reflection in team meetings and in preparation for essential meetings with clients and communities.

This document is also Many Rivers’ COVID-19 Client and Community Engagement Plan for remote workers. The Plan speaks to key considerations including travel, face-face meetings and simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

How are we implementing the COVID-19 Client and Community Engagement Plan?

Remote workforce

• CEDM and MEDM Infield visits are guided by Australian State and Territory requirements and Client and Community considerations
• Monitor and reflect on own self, health and general wellbeing; stay home if you are unwell and seek medical attention
• No face-face client or referrer meetings are permitted if the Team Member has been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or has been in contact with a recently returned traveller; 14-day self-isolation measure must follow and this circumstance must be reported to the Team Leader
• Check the advice from the authorities in the community of the region where you plan to travel and follow Plans and instructions and any Government directives
• Wearing of masks is to follow Government requirements.
• A maximum of two (2) people can travel in a Many Rivers vehicle when visiting Clients and/or Communities.
• If travelling via another form of transport, observe all Provider’s guidelines and any local community plans
• Prepare an agenda/points of discussion for the meeting to ensure meeting is run efficiently and to limit meeting time to requirement; consider emailing meeting information (where possible) ahead of the meeting to enable reading time for the participant/s
• Contact client or community ahead of the scheduled meeting date and time and check on their general health and wellbeing confirming that they are well enough to accept your visit
• Before leaving home ensure your vehicle has been thoroughly cleaned, equipped with tissues, hand sanitiser and water
• Where accommodation is required, employees are required to review, understand and observe all COVID-19 Plans and measures in place for that business before leaving home
• Maintain social distance recommendations from all members of public
• Avoid touching your face and touching surfaces unnecessarily
• Take increased care when accessing public amenities and employ diligent hygiene practices
• Face-face meetings should take place in a public area or where in a specified area, ensure that you follow their COVID-19 Plan
• On arrival at destination; repeat hygiene practices before meeting with client and then at completion of meeting
• If an exchange of documents is required at a meeting, ensure that hand hygiene practices are followed before and after any exchange
• Responsibly dispose of all rubbish always
• Ensure interaction, including time, date, attendee details and specific location of meeting are recorded; Microenterprise Development Managers use the Compass Client Management System. Community Economic Development Managers record meeting with the community in the CEDM Travel Schedule
• Limit meeting attendance according to Government prescribed numbers for public gatherings

For Team Leaders

• Inform CEO or Head of Organisational & People Development about a Team Member’s possible exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19 or if the Team Member has confirmed that they have contracted COVID-19
• Direct Team Member to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms or become worried about their health

Key Resources

1. Primary Care – Central Patient COVID-19 Triage Hotline –1800 020 080
2. Safework Australia
3. National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)
4. Australia Government
5. Northern Territory Government
6. Queensland Government Health
7. NSW Government
8. Victoria Government
9. Government of South Australia
10. Tasmania Government
11. Westerna Australia Government