Resources for Parents
These resources have been curated for parents, to help address the commonly asked questions
we receive when caring for children with significant social, emotional and behavioural challenges.
we receive when caring for children with significant social, emotional and behavioural challenges.
Mental
Health |
Physical
Health |
Family
Conflict |
Parenting
Help |
Respite
Services |
Sleeping Issues
|
School
Refusal |
Social Skills Groups
|
Bullying
Resources |
Assessment |
ASD
Resources |
Speech & Language
|
Literacy
Development |
Ask for Resources
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Education Sector
Most schools in Victoria today have a team of wellbeing professionals – including psychologists, counsellors, social workers, welfare workers and pastoral care workers – to help maintain wellbeing of both students and staff.
Most schools in Victoria today have a team of wellbeing professionals – including psychologists, counsellors, social workers, welfare workers and pastoral care workers – to help maintain wellbeing of both students and staff.
- Enrolment at a school entitles students to access support from the wellbeing team (without needing to be referred by a GP) in several ways: by contacting them directly, seeking guidance from a coordinator or teacher, or their parent requesting that their child receive support.
- The team can help your child by assisting with behavioural issues related to education (e.g. school refusal), as well as general mental health concerns. Educational or cognitive assessments may be offered if the team includes psychologists.
- It’s important to note that wellbeing teams offer limited support during school hours. Therefore, the treatment of diagnosable mental health conditions (such as major depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, etc.) will typically require professional support outside of school hours.
Private Sector
There are many types of mental health professionals in the private sector, such as paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors. You will likely be charged a fee for these services, but government funding (e.g. Medicare) is sometimes available to help with the cost.
Psychologists: All psychologists complete six years of training, which qualifies them to treat diagnosable mental health problems, as well as assist with general life issues. Some psychologists complete further specialised training in areas such as education, health and clinical. To help decide which one might be right for you, all the different types of psychologists are listed on the Australian Psychological Society’s webpage. To locate a suitable psychologist, the Australian Psychological Society and the Australian Clinical Psychology Association let you search by location and gender. You can also ask your GP for a recommendation.
Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are specialist medical doctors, and their further training in diagnosis and treatment qualifies them to prescribe medication. Psychiatrists and psychologists can work together; someone might see a psychologist for talking therapy, while receiving regular medication reviews from their psychiatrist. Lots of psychiatrists also have training in various forms of talking therapies.
Paediatricians: Paediatricians are specialist medical doctors who have completed additional training in the health problems of children and young people. They train for over 10 years – including undertaking medical training – which means they can prescribe medication. Paediatricians work with mental health professionals, like psychologists and psychiatrists, to treat childhood disorders such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders or behavioural problems. Your GP can help you arrange to see a paediatrician.
Allied Health Practitioners: There are different types of allied health practitioners in private practice who work with mental health issues, such as Psychologists, Social Workers, Nurses and Occupational Therapists. They each offer different services and levels of care depending on their profession, training and experience.
There are many types of mental health professionals in the private sector, such as paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors. You will likely be charged a fee for these services, but government funding (e.g. Medicare) is sometimes available to help with the cost.
Psychologists: All psychologists complete six years of training, which qualifies them to treat diagnosable mental health problems, as well as assist with general life issues. Some psychologists complete further specialised training in areas such as education, health and clinical. To help decide which one might be right for you, all the different types of psychologists are listed on the Australian Psychological Society’s webpage. To locate a suitable psychologist, the Australian Psychological Society and the Australian Clinical Psychology Association let you search by location and gender. You can also ask your GP for a recommendation.
- How much does it cost to see a psychologist? Psychologists – like other professionals in the private sector – usually charge a fee. You may be able to receive Medicare subsidies of up to $124.50 per session, if you’ve received a ‘Mental Health Care Plan’ from your GP. Private health funds may also offer rebates for psychology services.
- What if I require bulk-billing? We suggest calling the psychologist and asking whether bulk-billing (i.e. no direct cost involved to you) is a service that they offer. Many psychologists offer bulk-billing to those in financial hardship, or those with government concession cards.
Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are specialist medical doctors, and their further training in diagnosis and treatment qualifies them to prescribe medication. Psychiatrists and psychologists can work together; someone might see a psychologist for talking therapy, while receiving regular medication reviews from their psychiatrist. Lots of psychiatrists also have training in various forms of talking therapies.
- How much does it cost to see a psychiatrist? Psychiatrists – like psychologists, and other professionals in the private sector – usually charge a fee. But Medicare subsidies could be an option for you, dependent on the service.
- What if I require bulk-billing? If you require bulk-billing, we suggest calling the psychiatrist and asking whether this is a service that they offer. Many psychiatrists offer bulk-billing to those in financial hardship or those with government concession cards.
Paediatricians: Paediatricians are specialist medical doctors who have completed additional training in the health problems of children and young people. They train for over 10 years – including undertaking medical training – which means they can prescribe medication. Paediatricians work with mental health professionals, like psychologists and psychiatrists, to treat childhood disorders such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders or behavioural problems. Your GP can help you arrange to see a paediatrician.
- How much does it cost to see a paediatrician? Paediatricians – like other professionals in the private sector – usually charge a fee for their services. Often Medicare subsidies are available; the types and amounts vary depending on the service. Sometimes private health funds also offer rebates for paediatric services.
- What if I require bulk billing? Many paediatricians offer bulk-billing to those in financial hardship or those with government concession cards. We recommend calling the paediatrician and ask whether this is a service that they offer.
Allied Health Practitioners: There are different types of allied health practitioners in private practice who work with mental health issues, such as Psychologists, Social Workers, Nurses and Occupational Therapists. They each offer different services and levels of care depending on their profession, training and experience.
- How much does it cost? Some private health funds offer rebates for allied health services. The Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPs) program offers subsidies, as does Medicare, for a number of sessions each year.
- How do I access these subsidies? Check with your GP – they can help organise this service if you’re eligible for it.
Community Sector
Several community organisations work with people experiencing mental health issues. Many of them are not for profit organisations or are funded through the government through grants or private donations. Some offer free services and others offer services that require donation or fees. Below are some examples of well-known community organisations. Click the links to be taken to their websites. You can also get information on other community organisations in your area from your local council or your GP.
Several community organisations work with people experiencing mental health issues. Many of them are not for profit organisations or are funded through the government through grants or private donations. Some offer free services and others offer services that require donation or fees. Below are some examples of well-known community organisations. Click the links to be taken to their websites. You can also get information on other community organisations in your area from your local council or your GP.
- Headspace offers a range mental health services, including counselling, parenting groups, online (E-Headspace) or over the phone counselling.
- Black Dog Institute is an educational, research, clinical and community-oriented service specialising in depression and bipolar disorder.
- Kids Help Line is a free, confidential telephone (1800 55 1800) and online counselling service for those aged 5-25.
- Lifeline is a crisis support and suicide prevention counselling service with online resources, phone support (13 11 14) or online crisis chat.
- University Psychology clinics, such as the La Trobe Psychology Clinic, offer low-cost assessment and treatment services from post-graduate masters and doctoral psychology students. Contact your closest university to see if they offer a similar service.
Public Sector
Public mental health services are usually entirely funded by the government (under Medicare) and are accessed via your local hospital. While there can be long wait times due to demand, there are crisis assessment services (CATT) available for people experiencing an immediate crisis (e.g. suicidality or self-harm). Availability of CATT and ongoing services depends on the severity, complexity and immediacy of the issue.
In an emergency call 000, or attend your local hospital’s emergency department.
Public mental health services are usually entirely funded by the government (under Medicare) and are accessed via your local hospital. While there can be long wait times due to demand, there are crisis assessment services (CATT) available for people experiencing an immediate crisis (e.g. suicidality or self-harm). Availability of CATT and ongoing services depends on the severity, complexity and immediacy of the issue.
- More intensive services (e.g. psychiatry and psychology appointments/home visits) are offered by Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
- North West region 24hr contact info
- Services the areas of Brimbank, Hobson's Bay, Hume, Maribrynong, Melton, Melbourne, Moonee Valley, Moreland and Wyndham
- North East region 24hr contact info
- Services the areas of Banyule, Boroondara, Darebin, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Yarra.
- North West region 24hr contact info
In an emergency call 000, or attend your local hospital’s emergency department.
Physical Health
For any physical health issues, you will usually need to go outside of school for assistance (as schools usually aren’t directly involved in physical care, or making physical health care recommendations). Some of these options include:
General Practitioners
Your local GP should be your first point of contact. They can provide referrals to specialists, including paediatricians, if needed.
Paediatricians
At Yarra Me, we recommend that all of our students are connected with a paediatrician – as they provide a vital service for many of our students. They are specialist medical doctors, with advanced training (over ten years) in treating children and young people. This extensive medical training also means that they can prescribe medication.
Other health practitioners
It may be beneficial for your child to see a nurse, occupational therapist or physiotherapist. Ask your local GP about what kind of other practitioner they might recommend.
In an emergency cal 000, or attend your local hospital's emergency department.
Your local GP should be your first point of contact. They can provide referrals to specialists, including paediatricians, if needed.
Paediatricians
At Yarra Me, we recommend that all of our students are connected with a paediatrician – as they provide a vital service for many of our students. They are specialist medical doctors, with advanced training (over ten years) in treating children and young people. This extensive medical training also means that they can prescribe medication.
Other health practitioners
It may be beneficial for your child to see a nurse, occupational therapist or physiotherapist. Ask your local GP about what kind of other practitioner they might recommend.
In an emergency cal 000, or attend your local hospital's emergency department.
Family Conflict
Families can disagree at times, from clashing personalities and sibling rivalry, to significant issues that build up over time.
Better Health (Victorian Government) provides useful information and suggestions for helping to resolve family conflicts.
If the conflict has increased in length and severity to the point where it is negatively impacting the wellbeing of family members, it might be helpful to get help from the following places.
Family Therapy
Family therapy aims to identify and address the issues causing the conflict. It can be beneficial even when only some family members are able to attend.
Individual Therapy
This can be an option if issues affecting one person are contributing to the conflict.
Check the ‘Mental Health’ section above or speak with your GP.
If the conflict has increased in length and severity to the point where it is negatively impacting the wellbeing of family members, it might be helpful to get help from the following places.
Family Therapy
Family therapy aims to identify and address the issues causing the conflict. It can be beneficial even when only some family members are able to attend.
- Bouverie Centre offers family therapy from specially trained therapists. To discuss your situation and make an appointment, call 9385 5100.
- Relationships Australia offer resources, counselling services and a Family Dispute Resolution (mediation) service for families and couples, with several locations around Victoria.
Individual Therapy
This can be an option if issues affecting one person are contributing to the conflict.
Check the ‘Mental Health’ section above or speak with your GP.
Parenting Help
As a parent, it can sometimes be hard to know how to best respond to your child’s needs.
Luckily, various organisations and resources are available.
Luckily, various organisations and resources are available.
- Psychologists can help with many parenting issues. See the 'Psychologists' section above, under ‘Mental Health’ for further information.
- Raising Children Network is an extensive online resource for parents with children at all life stages, It addresses specific concerns from a range of topics such as discipline to technology, as well as sections on Autism and Disabilities.
- Headspace has resources and services for ‘friends & family’ covering life issues, health & wellbeing, mental health, alcohol & other drugs, work & study.
- Child First provides family services for vulnerable children, young people and their families. It is transitioning to The Orange Door, which offers help and support for those experiencing family violence or who need additional support for their children’s care.
Respite services
Caring for a loved one can be extremely challenging work, and respite services help to lighten the load, giving carers time to rest, or catch up on errands. You can discuss your eligibility for respite services with the following organisations:
- Carer Gateway contains a rich set of resources for carers, including phone support and information on how to access respite care.
- Child FIRST can connect families with a range of community-based family services and other supports, including respite services.
Sleeping Issues
Disrupted or poor-quality sleep can negatively impact physical health, mental health and your child’s sense of wellbeing. If your child is experiencing difficulties with sleep, the following resources may be able to help:
- The Centre for Clinical Interventions has many resources filled with tips for getting better sleep, such as ‘Sleep Hygiene’
- The Raising Children Network provides resources for various age groups, with information on bed wetting and other issues related to sleep.
- Your GP can also help with sleep concerns, including paediatrician referrals.
School Refusal
While all students have to take time off school for various reasons (illness, funerals), school refusal involves a student taking frequent time off or refusing to attend school a lot of the time. Low moods and anxiety can accompany school refusal. As it is a very complex issue, multiple people and services need to be involved and assistance should be sought as soon as possible.
- There are key people in the school you should speak to, who can help your child stay at, or return to school: the Principal, the class teacher or year level coordinator and the welfare team.
- Psychologists can help by identifying and addressing any underlying issues that may have led to school refusal. They can make recommendations to assist with reducing school refusal.
- If the school refusal is serious, has been occurring for an extended period, or is complicated by other issues (e.g. mental health), a multi-disciplinary team or more intensive intervention may be required. Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) sometimes offer school refusal services themselves or can help connect you to a school refusal service.
Social Skills Groups
Difficulties with social skills is a common issue in children with behaviour problems. Sometimes social skills groups can be an appropriate way of assisting children to increase skills in this area.
- Check with your school, as many offer social skills within regular class activities. Some also offer additional social skills groups via their wellbeing team.
- Headspace sometimes offers social skills groups. Check with your nearest centre.
- Individual support can be delivered through therapy with psychologists or allied health practitioners. Check our section on Mental Health for more info.
Bullying Resources
Bullying is the desire or behaviour which hurts, threatens, frightens, offends, or alienates others. It may take many forms.
The National Centre Against Bullying identifies five types of bullying:
The National Centre Against Bullying identifies five types of bullying:
- Physical bullying: The use of physical actions to bully, such as hitting, poking, tripping or pushing. Repeatedly and intentionally damaging someone's belongings is also physical bullying.
- Verbal bullying: Repeated or systematic name calling, insults and verbal abuse.
- Social (covert) bullying: Indirect actions, such as lying about someone, spreading rumours, playing a nasty joke that make the person feel humiliated or powerless, mimicking or deliberately excluding someone.
- Psychological bullying: Threatening, manipulating or stalking someone.
- Cyber bullying: Using technology such as email, mobile phones, chat rooms and social networking sites to verbally, socially or psychologically bully someone.
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For more information on defining bullying, watch Dr Michael Carr-Gregg’s video series: ‘Six Quick Tips for Parents about Bullying’
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Anti-bullying policy
The Department of Education requires every school in Victoria to implement an Anti-Bullying Policy. This must be freely accessible to parents and students via the school’s website, and you can use this document to keep schools accountable. Contact your school if you have difficulty accessing it.
Things to be aware of:
- Has the school arranged parent meetings when the policy states they will?
- Has the appropriate action been taken by the school?
- What your child’s responsibilities? Check the policy and make sure your child understands and follows them, such as reporting bullying behaviour.
- Keep a log. It’s a good idea to record any bullying incidents that occur, including what happened, who was involved, who it was reported to, and the action that was taken by school staff.
Support is also available to both those who’ve been bullied and bullies themselves.
You can access this support via the following channels:
You can access this support via the following channels:
- Your school’s wellbeing team.
- Individual therapy and counselling. (see our 'Mental Health' section)
- Raising Children Network has resources for parents on how to deal with bullying behaviour.
Assessments
Although not appropriate for every child - cognitive, psychological, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or behaviour assessments can often be helpful for parents and schools, to work out what is really going on with a student’s behaviour.
These kinds of assessments can identify various problems, disorders, language or learning difficulties, which may provide vital information on how to treat the issue.
As with most health issues, seeing your child's GP or paediatrician is a good place to start. They can refer your child to several types of assessment professionals, such as psychologists, occupational therapists, optometrists, psychiatrists, speech pathologists.
Funding might also be available for certain types of tests, so talk with your child's school or your GP/paediatrician about funding options.
For cognitive or behavioural assessments, University Psychology Clinics (such as La Trobe Uni's) often offer low-cost assessment services, where post-grad (masters or doctorate) psychology students conduct assessments under the supervision of an experienced and more senior psychologist. Contact your nearest university to check if they offer similar assessment services.
As with most health issues, seeing your child's GP or paediatrician is a good place to start. They can refer your child to several types of assessment professionals, such as psychologists, occupational therapists, optometrists, psychiatrists, speech pathologists.
Funding might also be available for certain types of tests, so talk with your child's school or your GP/paediatrician about funding options.
For cognitive or behavioural assessments, University Psychology Clinics (such as La Trobe Uni's) often offer low-cost assessment services, where post-grad (masters or doctorate) psychology students conduct assessments under the supervision of an experienced and more senior psychologist. Contact your nearest university to check if they offer similar assessment services.
ASD Resources
While the diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult for family members, it can also be the start of understanding behaviours which have been difficult to deal or cope with.
- Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT) offers a range of resources for parents with children with ASD. This includes online resources, information about various services, and a helpline (1800-277-328).
- Raising Children Network offers extensive online resources for ASD, covering a range of topics including:
- Learning & ASD (early signs, diagnosis, development effect)
- Behaviour (building confidence, routines, behaviour issues)
- Communicating (friends, peers, family relationships)
- Development (puberty, periods, sexuality, emotions, self-identity)
- Health/Care (sleep habits, toilet training, hygiene, mood changes)
- School Play and Work (parties, social activities, choosing a school, secondary school transition, structured play)
- Therapies & Services (types of interventions, ASD services and more)
- Therapies Guide (Applied Behaviour Analysis, sensory integration, social stories, SSRIs, stimulants).
- See your GP or paediatrician for further information about the services that might be available to you.
Speech and Language
Children can sometimes have speech and language difficulties which affect their ability to communicate and understand what others are telling them. These difficulties can be caused by fluency, articulation or receptive and expressive language issues.
Speech and language support can be accessed via the following channels.
Speech and language support can be accessed via the following channels.
Schools
All schools have access to a Student Support Services speech pathology team who are able to complete assessments, provide limited therapy and make recommendations to teachers for students with significant communication difficulties.
Public Health System
Assessment and consultation services are also available through the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Speech Pathology Department (9345 9300), and works on an outpatient, secondary consultation model.
Private
There are numerous private practitioners or organisations which offer a full range of speech, language and social skills programs. Speech Pathology Australia’s website has a directory to help you locate a speech pathologist in your area.
All schools have access to a Student Support Services speech pathology team who are able to complete assessments, provide limited therapy and make recommendations to teachers for students with significant communication difficulties.
Public Health System
Assessment and consultation services are also available through the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Speech Pathology Department (9345 9300), and works on an outpatient, secondary consultation model.
Private
There are numerous private practitioners or organisations which offer a full range of speech, language and social skills programs. Speech Pathology Australia’s website has a directory to help you locate a speech pathologist in your area.
Literacy Development
Academic research supports the use of an evidence based phonological awareness and systematic synthetic phonics based program to support students with reading and spelling difficulties.
Schools provide a variety of support programs for students with difficulties in developing reading and spelling. If additional support is required, the following organisations are recommended
- SPELD Victoria offers assessment and tutoring services for students with significant reading and spelling disorders. They also offer information sessions for parents. Visit their website or contact 9480 4422 to book an assessment.
- Learning Difficulties Australia offers a tutoring service and an option to search for a tutor in your area on their website.
- La Trobe University Communication Clinic runs the Phonological Awareness for Literacy (PAL) program. Visit their website for more information or contact the clinic on 9479 1921.
Ask for a Resource
The resources we've listed are based on the most common questions that parents ask Yarra Me School. Of course, it’s by no means exhaustive, so if you have a suggestion for another resource, please contact Fiona Bishop (Psychologist) at Yarra Me School using the contact details found in the footer of this page.
If there is an issue with any of the information in the above resources, whether it’s incorrect information
or if links no longer work properly, please let us know!
If there is an issue with any of the information in the above resources, whether it’s incorrect information
or if links no longer work properly, please let us know!