Page 13 - Warrah Annual Report 2021/2022

Disability Services
The year has again been challenging for
the team with significant impact from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The effects of testing regimes and vaccination requirements, combined with isolation and extended stay at home orders, have all tested our resilience. The impact on our staffing numbers has
been incredible and very challenging for us
to navigate. Every team member is to be commended for their effort and commitment across the year.
Our absolute priority was the care and support of our participants, some of whom were deeply affected by the pandemic isolation requirements and changes to service delivery. It was a welcome relief for many when day services were again able to operate, and we commenced a staggered return for residents. At the same time, we saw a return to office based working for many of the Supported Independent Living (SIL) leadership team, who were required to work remotely for several months.
The team pivoted and found creative ways to navigate the pandemic, not just at the front
line, but also our back-end operations needed tailoring. A contactless system was introduced for administrative processes and issue of supplies became a ‘direct to boot’ service. In October we saw vaccination mandates introduced, resulting in the loss of a number of staff who chose not to receive a vaccination. Some of these staff were long term employees and it was a difficult and emotional goodbye for many.
“The team pivoted and found creative ways to navigate the pandemic, not just at the front line, but also our back-end operations needed tailoring.”
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