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1300 946 337
1300 946 337
1300 946 337
With the ever-evolving Corona Virus (COVID-19) situation, we know that these are very much difficult and uncertain times for everyone.
We are committed to continuing to deliver services to you and your family in the best capacity that we can. During this time the health and safety of you and your family and our staff remain our highest priority.
Although our services are being modified, we still remain open.
Your Early Intervention and Therapy services are now only available through telehealth. Sessions are being delivered through Zoom and Facetime. We are also offering phone sessions if you cannot access video-based applications.
To help you access services via telehealth, the NDIS is allowing you to purchase assistive technology, equipment and smart devices (such as iPads) using your NDIS funding. You can find out more about this here.
Alternatively your therapist can develop resources that will be sent to your family so you can continue to support your child in their development.
Support Coordination is now only being delivered over the phone, via face time, email or video conferencing. The NDIA has advised that effective from 25 March 2020, NDIS participants can flexibly use their Core or Capacity Building budgets for support coordination.
To allow participants to use their funds more flexibly, three new support coordination items have been introduced to the support catalogue under Core Supports, Assistance with Daily Life, as follows:
For more information visit the the Price Guide page on the NDIS website.
Your Plan Management services are continuing to operate as normal.
Due to the NDIA's changes to the cancellation rules, cancellation fees are now being charged at 100% of the cost of the session, effective as of 25 March 2020. To avoid paying cancellation fees, you will be required to give at least two business days’ notice.
NDIS review meetings are now being held over the phone. If you are happy to renew your plan without changes from the previous year, you will not have to go through a review meeting and can ask for your current plan to be renewed for up to 24 months (2 years).
Under these exceptional circumstances, a 10% loading will be added for your benefit for all improved daily living activities and some core activities to support the extra cost of delivering these services.
We have modified some of our other services so we can meet current government regulations and do our utmost to ensure the health and safety of everyone. We advise that:
Our Victims Assistance Program (VAP), Bushfire Recovery Support, Family Services, Homelessness Support Services and Counselling have stopped face to face appointments and interactions, and are now delivering services either via phone, Facetime, or other online platforms like Zoom,
All of our group programs are temporarily suspended or operating virtually.
We will continue to monitor the advice from the Australian Government and relevant authorities and advise of any changes to our service delivery.
Childcare services
Our Early Learning Centre and kindergarten in Frankston and Family Day Care services remain open. We have strict hygiene controls in place at these sites.
To comply with Stage 4 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne we are offering care to:
Permitted workers (more information is available here)
Vulnerable children.
Health and safety is our utmost priority. Given the current government guidelines we are now encouraging families to keep your children at home if you have appropriate and safe alternative care arrangements in place to do so.
Due to COVID-19, many of us are accessing more data than we ever have before. In response to the huge increase in need, many telecommunications companies are offering assistance packages or free upgrades. To find out more, check with your supplier. Alternatively, this guide from Whistle Out may be help you find out more.
We will continue to monitor the situation and take advice from the Australian Government and relevant authorities, to ensure you remain safe and supported during this difficult time.
These modified service arrangements will be reviewed as we receive government advice. Any further decisions about service delivery shall be made in the interest of the health and wellbeing of the community, so that when this all passes we can return to our usual service delivery practices.
We appreciate your patience as we navigate this uncertainty together.
Last updated: 6 August 2020
Access information around COVID-19 in your language here.
48 Webb Street
Boonwurrung Country
Narre Warren, VIC 3805
Phone: 1300 946 337
Fax: (03) 9796 7650
Email: info@windermere.org.au
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