Separated Parents Policy

This policy outlines Get Psych’d requirements and expectations when providing psychological services to a young person where their parents/carers are separated, divorced or living separately. This policy aims to:

• Support the young person’s best interests and continuity of care
• Clarify communication, consent, payment and administrative responsibilities
• Reduce misunderstandings and conflict between parents/carers and Get Psych’d

Definitions

Separated parents - a broad term used to describe parents or carers that are separated, divorced or living apart

Primary Contact - the parent/carer nominated as the primary contact for administrative purposes

Secondary Contact - the parent/carer not nominated as the primary contact, is the secondary contact

Young Person - for the purposes of this policy refers to a minor under the age of 18

Both parents/carers with parental responsibility must provide their full legal name, contact details (including email and phone) and current residential address as part of the intake process. 

Parents/carers are responsible for informing Get Psych’d promptly and in writing any changes to their contact details. 

Failure to provide complete and accurate details may delay or limit the provision of services to the young person. 

Get Psych’d will assume equal parental responsibility under Australian family law, unless provided with current court orders stating otherwise.  

Copies of any relevant parenting orders, consent orders, or family law agreements must be provided prior to the young person commencing services with Get Psych’d.

Get Psych’d does not interpret or enforce court orders; parents/carers are responsible for understanding their legal arrangements. 

Get Psych’d does not become involved in, provide advice on, or make decisions regarding parenting or living arrangements.  

Where both parents/carers hold parental responsibility, consent from both parents/carers is required prior to commencing services with the young person. 

If one parent/carer has sole parental responsibility, documentation confirming this must be provided prior to the commencement of services.

Consent includes agreement to the nature and purpose of services provided, limits of confidentiality, fees and payment arrangements, and this policy. 

One parent/carer must be nominated as the Primary Contact for administrative purposes. 

The Primary Contact is responsible for:

• Receiving appointment reminders and general administrative communication
• Payment of fees and management of invoices
• Medicare claims and rebate processing

Identification of a Primary Contact does not indicate greater parental rights, access to information or decision-making authority regarding the young person's care. 

The other parent/carer will be considered the Secondary Contact for the purpose of this policy. 

By default, the Secondary Contact will not receive communication or appointment reminders for the young person. However, where appropriate, particularly where both parents/carers have parental responsibility, the Secondary Contact can opt in to:  

• Receive appointment reminders for the young person
• Access the client portal to request or manage appointments for the young person

As part of the intake screening process, a Primary Contact will be identified for the young person, and information obtained regarding parental responsibility and the involvement of the other parent/carer. 

Where the young person’s parents are separated, divorced or living separately, Secondary Contact details are required to facilitate communication regarding consent and service arrangements.

If Secondary Contact details are not provided, Get Psych’d reserves the right to delay, pause or discontinue services to the young person until appropriate consent requirements have been addressed. 

A separate Secondary Contact and Consent Form will be sent to the other parent/carer and, where required, must be completed prior to commencing services with the young person. 

In limited circumstances, Get Psych’d may proceed with services without consent from both parents/carers where this is considered legally or clinically appropriate. This may include situations involving:

• urgent or immediate risk to the young person’s safety or wellbeing
• circumstances where the young person is assessed as having sufficient maturity and capacity to consent to treatment independently
• court orders, parenting orders, or other legal arrangements that impact parental decision-making authority
• circumstances where obtaining consent from the other parent/carer is not reasonably practicable
• other situations where Get Psych’d determines that proceeding is appropriate in accordance with applicable laws, professional obligations, and ethical guidelines.

Get Psych’d reserves the right to request supporting documentation, obtain legal or professional advice, or decline to provide services where consent arrangements are unclear, disputed, or considered clinically or legally inappropriate.

The Primary Contact is financially responsible for all fees unless an alternative written agreement is accepted by Get Psych’d. 

Get Psych’d does not mediate or become involved in disputes regarding fee-sharing between parents/carers. 

Medicare rebates (where applicable) will be processed only through the Primary Contact, using the details provided. 

Parents/carers are responsible for communicating directly with each other regarding appointment times, attendance and any changes. 

Get Psych’d will communicate appointment details primarily with the Primary Contact. The Secondary Contact can opt in to receive appointment reminders. 

Late cancellation and missed appointment fees apply in accordance with the Get Psych’d Fees, Cancellations and Missed Appointments Policy. 

Get Psych’d is not responsible for missed appointments due to lack of communication between parents/carers. 

Parents/carers are welcome to attend an appointment with the young person.

Where only one parent/carer attends an appointment with the young person and are provided with updates on progress and/or information on how they can best support the young person within the home environment from the young person’s clinician, it is that parent/carer’s responsibility to share relevant information with the other parent/carer not in attendance. 

Get Psych’d is not responsible for relaying information between parents/carers and will communicate only with the parent/carer present at the appointment (unless otherwise required by law or agreed to in writing). 

Our clinicians have limited capacity outside of sessions to make contact, respond to and/or provide information and updates to parents/carers. Any discussion, updates or questions should occur at either the beginning of or end of the young person’s scheduled appointment, or alternatively a parent/carer consultation booked with the young person’s clinician. Fees for parent/carer consultations are outlined in the Get Psych’d Fees Schedule.

Requests for reports, letters or copies or records must be made in writing. Fees apply in accordance with the Get Psych’d Fee Schedule. By default, both parents/carers with parental responsibility may request reports, letters or copies of records.  

The release of reports, letters or copies of records is guided by parental responsibility and any relevant court orders. Get Psych’d will follow any court orders or agreements that limit access. 

Reports, letters or copies or records will only be provided to a parent/carer who is legally entitled to receive them, unless consent is provided by both parents/carers. 

Get Psych’d does not mediate, become involved or take sides in parental disputes. 

Get Psych’d reserves the right to pause or discontinue services if parental/carer conflict significantly interferes with the therapeutic process or the young person’s wellbeing. 

Get Psych’d primary consideration at all times is the psychological wellbeing and safety of the young person. 

Clinical decisions are made independently and are not influenced by parental/carer conflict, legal proceedings or custody arrangements. 

By engaging with Get Psych’d, parents/carers acknowledge that they have read, understood and agreed to comply with this Separated Parents Policy. 

Updated:  20/05/2026