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At Play & Learn OT, our focus and priority is the wellbeing of the children we see.
We work with children from families of many different structures and arrangements, including those that are separated or who are in shared care arrangements.
Our policy outlined below details our requirements, expectations and limitations working with families who are separated.
* We request that the contact details of both parents are provided, even when the parents are separated or divorced. It is important we have these details on file in the event we are contacted by either parent so that we can identify who they are and that they are able to access information in relation to our client(s).
* It is the responsibility of the parent initiating treatment to notify the other parent that they have engaged with Play & Learn OT and we welcome contact from either parent (unless there are court orders limiting access to information). It is the parents’ responsibility to provide us with any relevant legal documents or court orders pertaining to the child’s care.
*We have an expectation of respectful collaboration and communication. We expect separated parents to work together respectfully and cooperatively regarding the care of their child. Major decisions concerning a child’s medical treatment, such as initiating medication or starting intervention therapy, should be made jointly by both parents whenever possible.
We only require the consent of one parent to commence treatment unless a court order or parenting plan stipulates that both parents must give consent for medical or allied health treatment or that a specific parent must give consent.
The onus is on the parent initiating therapy to ensure the other parent has consented should this be required.
* Either parent or legal guardian can schedule an appointment for their child, be present at the appointment, be involved in goal setting, know strategies to use/try at home and/or receive a copy of their child’s reports and case notes, unless there is a court order limiting their involvement in the child’s care. * If one parent schedules the appointment, they have assumed responsibility for informing the other parent.
* Provision of notes and other correspondence is subject to the provisions of privacy legislation and the Play & Learn OT Privacy Policy.
*In the absence of any specific court orders to the contrary, either parent can speak with a therapist currently seeing their child including by phone or email dialogue. This includes updating each parent on current goals and progress being made. Costs of this contact with the therapists will be allocated to the funding program the child is accessing services under or by the enquiring parent if accessing support under private funding arrangements.
Invoices will be sent in the week or fortnight of the therapy services being provided, via email to the 'main contact' parent.
If there is a legal agreement requiring the other parent to cover all or part of the treatment costs, it is the attending parent’s responsibility to settle the account and seek reimbursement from the other parent. We do not do split billing.
We do not accept referrals where the purpose is solely to generate information for legal decision-making concerning custody issues in parental separation. We do not provide documentation including reports for court unless we required to do under subpoena.
Should there be significant conflict, we reserve the right to request court orders, obtain signed consent from both parents, or limit our services until disputes are resolved.
If necessary, we may discharge a family from our service if the conflict impedes the child’s care.
Last updated: 31/05/2024
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