Our highest priority is the health and wellbeing of our clients and their families, and providing a safe environment at our CPA Community Centres and sites.
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that many of our clients and their families have questions about the services they receive.
On this page, you will find answers to frequently asked questions including the latest advice for NSW and the ACT.
COVID-19 and CPA Services Frequently Asked Questions
Please find below common questions being asked by CPA clients.
Are CPA Community Centres and sites open for in-person services and programs?
CPA Community Centres are open for services and programs. We continue to fully comply with guidance from NSW and ACT Health in order to protect and safeguard clients and their families, and CPA staff.
Will CPA services continue to be available via Telepractice?
We have had great success with the uptake and delivery of services via CPA Telepractice. We continue to hear from families and clients about how valuable the service has been, allowing them to keep achieving goals and positive outcomes. As part of our commitment to best practice and support for all clients and families, we will continue to deliver beneficial services via CPA Telepractice.
We deliver CPA Telepractice services by linking clinicians and clients via a web based digital video platform. You can connect for appointments from a range of locations including school, work and home.
CPA Telepractice enables you to access services wherever you can connect with a digital device, including mobile phones, tablets and laptops.
You can also invite other family members, service providers, and specialists to join you from their locations, all in the one appointment.
Are CPA staff fully vaccinated?
Yes, it is mandated that all CPA staff, volunteers, and students be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
As always, our priority is the health, safety, and wellbeing of all our clients and their families. As such, we continue to comply with the guidance from NSW and ACT Health.
Will all visitors to a CPA site be required to be vaccinated?
NSW and ACT Health advises for the best protection against severe illness it is important to be up to date for all vaccinations including COVID-19 and influenza. CPA strongly encourages visitors to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and to receive their booster when it is due.
Visiting a CPA Hydrotherapy site
In order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all clients, CPA requires any visitor to a CPA Hydrotherapy site aged 12+ in any capacity to be fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination or a medical exemption as staff and visitors are not able to wear masks while in the pool area. For all other sites, apart from Hydrotherapy, CPA strongly encourages visitors to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and to receive their booster when it is due.
This policy reflects our commitment to our clients, many of whom have chronic health conditions and are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. Upon arrival to CPA Hydrotherapy services, please have your proof of COVID-19 vaccination (or medical exemption) to show a staff member.
Are CPA staff wearing face masks around clients?
Yes, staff working directly with clients continue to wear P2 masks at all times, this is a mandatory requirement. With the exception of personal care, mealtime assistance and sustained close contact where 4-point PPE is required to be worn (P2 masks, gloves, goggles and gowns).
What COVID-19 safety precautions are CPA taking?
As always, our priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of all our clients and their families. As such, we mandated that all CPA staff, volunteers, and students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 from December 2021.
For clients attending CPA Community Centres and sites, we continue to have the following safety procedures in accordance with NSW/ACT Health advice:
- Vaccination status – CPA strongly encourages clients and visitors to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and to receive their boosters when it is due. To ensure the safety of our clients, staff and volunteers where people are unvaccinated, CPA may undertake a risk assessment if deemed necessary.
- RAT testing – we ask all visitors to group homes, centre based day programs and Packforce to do a RAT before entering one of these sites, this includes all visiting staff, agency staff, contractors, family and friends.
- Wearing of masks – it is safest for visitors to group/respite homes, centre based day programs and Packforce to wear masks to help protect those most vulnerable. We ask all visitors to these sites to wear a face mask when indoors.
- Physical distancing – the limit on the number of people permitted on-site has been removed.
- Hygiene – increased cleaning measures and routines have been implemented.
We continue to be guided by the latest public health advice for Disability Service Providers.
Additional measures are in place for clients in our group homes including:
- Strict standard infection control and environmental cleaning procedures.
- Ample access to essential supplies, including personal protective equipment, pantry and cleaning supplies.
- Infection Prevention refresher training for all staff.
What is the latest information on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters?
To find out the latest about vaccination programs and booster shots, head to the NSW Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic finder and the ACT Health Vaccine information websites.
Has CPA’s cancellations and no-show guidelines changed in light of COVID-19?
CPA’s current cancellation and no-show guidelines remain in place and can be found here.
However, if you need to change or cancel an appointment due to concerns around COVID-19, please contact us to discuss cancellation arrangements on phone 1800 378 888 or email ask@cerebralpalsy.org.au.
To reschedule or cancel an appointment, please notify your service directly via your usual site contact phone number or email.
Is information about COVID-19 available in an easy-read format?
Yes. The Council for Intellectual Disability has created easy read guides about the roadmap out of lockdown, COVID-19 vaccinations and much more. You can access these on the CID website via this link.
Where can I find the Australian Government Department of Health COVID-19 information for people with a disability?
The Australian Government Department of Health website provides COVID-19 information and resources for people living with disability, please visit the links below.