September 2020During the challenging past months Aspens has been 100% focussed on reducing the risks of Covid-19 to the people we support and care for, side by side with the safety and wellbeing of our staff. As well as priding ourselves on responding quickly to constantly changing government guidelines, we have taken the view that this should be seen as an absolute minimum and have endeavoured to do what we, as a charity, feel is right to protect the children and adults using our services and staff. We are extremely fortunate that, to date, we have only had one confirmed Covid-19 case affecting a staff member early in lockdown.
This disease is still very much at large, and we feel it is now as important as ever to continue to have the safeguarding of all as our number one priority. We ask for your understanding and patience as we continue to carefully follow the most up-to-date advice, procedures and guidelines from the government and ultimately make decisions based on our knowledge of those we care for and the best ways to keep them safe.
Update: Due to the rapidly changing situation, the following letters with information on additional measures we are putting in place to protect those we support, were sent out to the the families of the children, young people and adults of those we care for on 21st September 2020.
Letter_-_Adults_Covid_Update_210920.pdf
Letter_-_Children__Young_People_Covid_Update_210920.pdf
Please note:
Supported Living/Residential Services: • Every person we support has their own unique risk assessment incorporating where they live and who they live with. • In line with the government’s current social distancing measures, we will consider the rights of all parties within a shared house when making informed decisions regarding visits. • Each individual case should be discussed with the manager of the relevant service.
Family Specialist Support/ Children & Young People’s Services: • A comprehensive 1-1 virtual offer is currently in place.• Where a young person is unable to access virtual, the need for a walk and talk or home visits will be assessed on a case by case basis.• Individual risk assessments, including a health questionnaire, will be carried out prior to all home/community visits. • Face to face meetings in any setting for the foreseeable future are largely on hold. We can continue to contribute remotely to meetings.• Children’s groups will be opening up again from mid-September with full risk assessments in place ensuring all safety guidance is adhered to. These will be regularly updated in line with updated government guidance.• There is currently a high demand on the services, particularly during September, some of which will be ‘additional’ work associated with these unprecedented circumstances.
We are hugely grateful for the tremendous support from the whole Aspens family in helping to keep those we care for and our carers safe during this very challenging time. Further information on Aspens’ Covid-19 procedures can be read here: Aspens' Guidance Notes
Latest government advice on keeping safe.
NHS 111 Covid 19 Symptom Questionnaire