Calvary Silver Circle

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can we help?
A. Since 1991 Calvary Silver Circle has enabled thousands of people of all ages and care requirements to remain in the community and maintain their lifestyle of choice.
We provide a range of services to support people. The most commonly provided services are:

• Personal care/attendant care -assistance with showering, dressing, getting around at home,
• Social support -attending appointments and shopping, companionship,
• Home care / -domestic assistance - cleaning, washing, cooking, shopping on behalf of the client and meal preparation-,
• Respite care- giving the usual carer a break – either in home or in community,
• Home maintenance and modifications and
• Personal alarm/ monitoring.

To find out more about the types of services, click on services to the left.
How services can be provided is really only limited by your imagination. For example, you might like someone to come in and help you to prepare lunch, or you might like someone to take you out for a cup of coffee on a regular basis.

Q. Who can get help?
A. Calvary Silver Circle provides care and support to people with a wide range of needs: older people, people recovering after a hospital stay or ill-health, people who have had personal injuries, people with disabilities, carers of family members, parents of children with special needs - in fact to anyone who wants some help at home.

Q. How do you work out what is needed?
A. If you are unsure whether Calvary Silver Circle is right for you or unsure where to start looking for services, and would like to know more, contact our Information & Advisory Service on 1300 66 00 22.

Q. Is there a cost?
A. Subsidised services: We provide subsidised services – both directly and on behalf of other services such as councils, care packages and respite programs. So, depending on the program funding and conditions, fees may be fully covered or there might be a requirement for you to make some contribution to the costs. Enquiries to our Information and Advice Service can help you with information about these options. Please contact us on 1300 66 00 22.

Privately funded services: If you are not eligible for these subsidised services or these services do not fully meet your needs, then the private option is available to you. Costs depend on the amount of service provided. The important thing is that you can choose when and how you want your services. Services can be provided from as little as half an hour through to 24 hour support. Please contact us on 1300 66 00 22 for our current fees or to discuss your situation.

For people wanting to consider purchasing services privately from us, one of our friendly Service Co-ordinators will visit your home, at no cost, for an obligation-free discussion with you about the ways we can assist you. Together with the Service Co-ordinator, you can make a plan about how services are going to be delivered.

Q. Can you help if I’m not sure about services?
A. Through our Information and Advisory Service we will always ensure that you know about all the available services you might be able to use. Our staff can give you this information or if you would like, can refer you to these services, which may be able to provide subsidised support on a permanent or emergency basis.

There is also the option for you to use our company to supplement subsidised services so that with a mix of funded and private services your needs are well catered for. We are happy to work with your existing services topping up or providing services via councils, care managers and packages of care if required.
To find out more or to discuss your situation call 1300 66 00 22.

Q. Are there a minimum number of hours?
A. Services can be provided for as little as half an hour at a time, through to 24 hour support 7 days a week. You can arrange for services to be provided regularly or on an occasional basis. Our services are available on weekdays, weekends and public holidays.

We can set up most services within 1-2 days where immediate services are needed. A few more days will assist us developing a service plan with regular workers whose skills are matched to your specific requirements.

Q. What sort of people work for us?
A. Our staff are from all walks of life – they have a wide range of skills and expertise to match with your requirements and preferences. We have support staff with training & experience in dementia care, respite care, disability services, complex care and palliative care as well as from variety of cultural backgrounds. Some of our support workers have been with us since our company’s early days. One of the things that unite our workers is their genuine care and respect for their clients.

Q. What about insurance?
A. We employ the support workers so you don't have to worry about workers’ compensation insurance, superannuation or industrial relations laws or organising replacement staff when your regular worker is unavailable.

Q. How do we make sure the staff are trustworthy?
A. All our staff are very carefully screened and undergo mandatory police and reference checks. For staff working with children the relevant “working with children check or baby sitting license” will also be completed. Workers undertake ongoing training via the Silver Circle Training Institute which emphasizes the importance of the role they have with their clients and the skills needed to provide services. Each staff member is provided with detailed guidelines and has regular performance reviews.

Q. What if I want to cancel the services?
A. When our services are no longer required you simply give us 24 hours notice. A charge applies where services are cancelled with 4 hours or less notice.

Q. What if I want to change my support worker?
A. If you are not happy with our support worker, for any reason, we will happily provide a replacement.

Q. What are the methods of payment?
A. For most people, our company offers four convenient ways to pay accounts: by direct debit, credit card*, bpay or cheque. Some client specific arrangements can be made if these options are not feasible.
* If you receive services via a local Council, credit card option is not available.

Q. What areas do we cover? 

• ACT - Canberra and surrounds
• NSW - metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra, Central Coast, Hunter, Riverina and Southern NSW 
• Northern Territory - Darwin, Alice Springs and remote areas of NT
• South Australia - metropolitan Adelaide, Southern Fleurieu and Flinders/Far North regions of SA
• Tasmania - Northern and Southern Tasmania
• Victoria - metropolitan Melbourne, Shepparton and neighbouring parts of Northern Victoria and Gippsland

There are plans for extension of services into other states so it is wise to check current availability with the Information & Advisory Service on 1300 66 00 22. We are also keen to hear from you if there are gaps in your area where Calvary Silver Circle can help.

Q. What if my family member/friend is reluctant to receive help?
A. Our Information & Advisory Service staff are happy to discuss your individual situation with you and help you to work out some strategies to move towards getting the help your family member/friend needs. Phone 1300 6600 22.

Q. Want further information?
A. Contact us through this website and or during office hours phone 1300 66 00 22 for the cost of a local call.