How Careseekers can help?
The outbreak of COVID-19 has put parents across Australia in the unique position of having to home school their children for the first time. For those parents trying to work from home at the same time, this disruption to regular routines is definitely an adjustment.
It also comes at a time when those who are employed, must continue to work - never has their contribution to the economy been more needed or important.
At Careseekers we are determined to support parents who are simultaneously working and educating their children at home. We have partnered with Camp Australia to deliver this support.
Many of you will be familiar with Camp Australia as they may run the before and after school (OOSH) programs at the school your children attend. Programs that you use and rely on during regular times.
As schools are empty and OOSH services are not required, there are hundreds of experienced OOSH workers around Australia who may be able to help your family. You may even be able to connect with an OOSH worker your child already knows.
How can a Camp Australia worker help our family?
Direct contact support
In-home support with home schooling, assistance caring for children etc.
Non-contact support
Digital support with lessons, craft, music, singing, dancing, etc.
Errands and shopping support
Assistance with essential tasks outside the home like shopping so that the parent may stay at home in self isolation with children; or remaining at home with children while parents run these tasks.
How do I connect with a Camp Australia worker?
Through the Careseekers platform.
Careseekers is a platform that connects individuals and families with aged care and disability support workers. We have made additions to the platform so that you can use it to connect with Camp Australia workers.
You can either post your job and interested Camp Australia workers will apply or search for a Camp Australia worker in your area.
If you only want to connect with Camp Australia workers, sure you filter by Camp Australia worker box on the search page.
Tip: If you want to see if a Camp Australia worker you know has registered with Careseekers, enter their first name when searching your location.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please fill in the form below and a member of the customer support team will get in touch ASAP.
Under the new COVID-19 public restriction rules, Is a worker allowed in my home?
Yes. The Camp Australia worker will be working in your home. A person is allowed to travel for the purposes of going to work. If further restrictions are introduced we will update this information.
When the Camp Australia worker is in your home, you will need to consider your home a place of work and make sure that your family, and the worker, put in place good measures around reducing any spread of COVID-19. A reminder of what this looks like:
- cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
- put used tissues straight into the bin
- wash your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet
- use alcohol-based hand sanitisers
- avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces such as benchtops, desks and doorknobs
- clean and disinfect frequently used objects such as mobile phones, keys and wallets
- increase the amount of fresh air available by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning
Camp Australia workers will be very familiar with these measures, as they have been expected of them in OOSH settings since COVID-19 began.
There are also a set of screening questions you should ask before engaging a Camp Australia worker. We suggest you also do a phone/zoom/facetime meeting with the worker prior to receiving services to confirm whether the worker, or someone they live with or have close contact with has:
- Travelled overseas in the last 14 days.
- Been unwell in the last 14 days with respiratory issues, flu like illness or fever.
- Had a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days or are in self isolation.
If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’ do not proceed with services being delivered by this particular Camp Australia worker.
Cost of services
This is a fee for service arrangement. It must be paid for by families privately. Unfortunately, you cannot access childcare subsidies to pay for this service. Camp Australia workers will set their own rates and charge between $27-37 per hour depending on experience and expertise. This is inclusive of the Careseeekers fee of 5%.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Careseekers Team at 1300 765 465 or info@careseekers.com.au.