Family Based Respite Care (FaBRiC) (ACT)
Category 2: Best solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue
Family Based Respite Care (FaBRiC) provides respite and social support services to approximately 300 families living in the ACT, who have a child or young person (no older than 20 years) with a disability. This includes moderate, severe or profound disabilities of a physical, sensory, medical or behavioural nature.
FaBRiC recognised there were vulnerabilities for the organisation and its employees providing support when circumstances arose where the support worker was required to administer medication or provide other medical treatments.
An evaluation of policies, procedures and practices indicated that further work was required to ensure safe work practices were in place. In particular there was a need for a risk assessment process to support the medical treatment plan. Central to this process was the recognition that although care was being administered in a home, it was actually a workplace for the carer.
Continued review of the OHS processes has led to greater understanding of potential hazards and risks within the work environment.
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Page last updated: 03/05/2007