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Tag: Retirement Village Managers

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Covid-19 Things to watch

Restrictions easing, but confusion for residents and village managers as opinions differ….

Since the Prime Minister announced the easing of the pandemic restrictions I have been contacted by a significant number of operators and managers to discuss the ‘right thing to do’ in opening up community centres and village facilities.

The whole the sector is taking a fairly cautious approach as they navigate these waters. 

Each state has slightly different phases of restriction easing; some states provide guidance for Retirement Village operators and other states don’t. Some resident communities are cautious and while others are not, it has been a minefield for operators to navigate.

Overwhelming many managers regardless of their approach are being met with challenges from individuals in their communities who do not agree with their approach.

In broad ranging discussions with operators around the country it does seem the best way to move forward is in consultation with Resident Committees. Here are some topics that may help guide your discussions and decisions moving forward.

Consideration should be given to:

  • the current information on health.gov.au older persons advice
     
  • Relevant state based Retirement Village Fact sheets, where applicable
  • Access the COVID Safe Plan requirements for your state
     
  • Understand how the sqm rule requirements will work in communal areas
     
  • Identify how physical distancing requirements will be signposted and monitored
     
  • How record keeping of access to community areas will be managed
     
  • How these requirements be met in the event the manager is not present on site to monitor
     
  • Understand how the cleaning protocol and hygiene requirements will be managed
     
  • Identify the likely extra cost of any decisions i.e. additional staff to monitor, clean or manage the activities. Additional costs for cleaning products, sanitiser, signage and other resources/tools required.

Importantly agree on a plan should there be an outbreak in the future in the local community or your immediate village community.

Categories
Key things to help you everyday

Village Manager Handover checklist (Busy Busy silly season)

We are approaching the time of year as Annual meetings and Melbourne Cup moves slowly behind us we start to think about planning for Christmas decorations, celebrations and the holiday period.

Village professionals often find themselves running on empty at this time of year and take the opportunity to have a well-deserved break. Often in the lead up to the leave it is busy busy busy and a time where there are lots going on.

Whether you are having a relief manager stepping in for you or a team member manning the fort it is good practice to be starting to think about the tools, resources and information they may need to access whilst you are away (especially if you would like to avoid that call on Christmas day when the code to turn off the fire system can not be found).

Some of the items I like to go through with a relief manager include:

  • Site orientation/plan – utility shut off locations
  • Staff introductions, role, responsibilities, capabilities, rosters & norms
  • Introduction to Chair Resident Committee & Committee details
  • Village values/culture, decision making and communication policy explanation
  • Resident contact information
  • Service provider contact details & contract details
  • Emergency evacuation familiarisation & services contact details
  • Current budget guidelines, meeting minutes etc
  • Complaint management guidelines & policy
  • Current complaints in progress
  • Contractual explanation & likely anomalies
  • Resident file/documentation process
  • Explanation of delegation & accounting processes
  • Maintenance schedules
Categories
Key things to help you everyday

Safe work responsibilities: are you aware? Are they on your team meeting agenda?

Key learning: Village Managers have significant responsibilities and accountabilities for safe work practices.

Last week in Sydney we had Colleen Harris, who is the Metropolitan Chief Inspector for Worksafe NSW, give a presentation on the responsibility of Village Managers – and operators – to provide a safe working environment (Colleen pictured below inset).

You will have a reasonable understanding of the responsibilities as an employer of workers, but you also have some responsibilities for contractors and others visiting or doing work in the village.

This is a serious subject. As the slide at the top shows, in NSW for example, Worksafe inspectors have more ‘power’ than the police when they enter a workplace to demand information etc.

This list gives you a taste of your obligations as a front-line manager:

  •     The need for WHS to be discussed on a regular basis with staff and sub-contractors
  •       Ongoing review of safe work practices
  •       The requirements for Standard Operating Procedures for operation of plant
  •       Provide safe systems of work particularly in relation to heights, plant and chemicals
  •       The storing and use of chemicals
  •       The need for protective personal equipment
  •       Induction of staff, contractors and volunteers
  •       Regular instruction, training and supervision to do their work in a way that is safe and without risk to theirs or others health

Remember, at times the common areas, staff offices, bowling green, and even residents’ homes may be considered a workplace by an inspector in the event of a workplace incident.

This month, August, as part of the DCM Institute Village Management Professional Development Program, we cover Legislation in each state.

If you are part of the VM program you can download the WHS checklist as part of the month-end materials.

Jodie