ACCESS TO ALLIED PSYCHOLOGICAL
SERVICES (ATAPS) CHILD MENTAL
HEALTH PROGRAM
PROVISIONAL REFERRAL (NON-GP)
If you are concerned about the wellbeing of a child under 12 years of age, an ATAPS provisional
referral may be appropriate. The ATAPS child mental health program provides early psychological
intervention. A provisional referral entitles the child to three initial sessions with a trained mental
health professional (such as psychologists, social workers or mental health nurses). The child may
receive up to twelve free sessions per calendar year (and an additional six sessions for exceptional
circumstances).
Who is eligible?
Children who:
 are aged up to 12 years
 live, attend school/kinder/childcare or see a GP in the municipalities of Banyule, Darebin,
metro Hume, Nillumbik and Whittlesea
 are experiencing or are at risk of developing a mental, behavioural or emotional
disorder/condition
 would benefit from short–term, goal focussed psychological strategies for mild to moderate
conditions
 have their parent’s or guardian’s consent
Please note that children do not need to have a diagnosed mental, behavioural or emotional disorder
to access this service.
Who is not eligible?
 Children with bi-polar or chronic/acute psychotic disorders
 Children exhibiting current suicidal ideation or intent, plans, means and/or are high risk to
self and/or others
 Children requiring counselling as part of court proceedings or for reports
Who can refer?
Children up to 12 years of age can be referred directly to ATAPS by:
 GPs
 paediatricians and psychiatrists
Or with a provisional referral by:
 schools -including principals, psychologists, social workers, school well-being officers, school
nurses, student services support officers
 Directors of early childhood services and pre-schools
 Maternal and child health nurses
 Pre-school field officers
 Mental health workers
 Other relevant organisations-please contact ATAPS to register
Types of intervention
 Behaviour therapy
 Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
 Family therapy
 Parent-child interaction therapy
Disorders & contextual factors (ICD-10) for treatment under ATAPS child mental health program
1. Attachment disorders
2. Depressive disorders
3. Adjustment disorder
4. Anxiety disorders – including:
a. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (includes overanxious disorder of childhood)
b. Separation Anxiety Disorder
c. Social Anxiety Disorder /Social Phobias
d. Phobic disorders /Specific Phobias
e. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
f. Post traumatic Stress Disorder
g. Panic disorder
5. Elective Mutism (or Selective Mutism)
6. Sleep disorders
7. Somatoform disorder
8. Neurasthenia (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
9. Feeding disorders
10. Eating disorders
11. Encopresis
12. Enuresis
13. Bereavement disorders
14. Childhood behavioural disorders – limited to:
a. Conduct Disorder;
b. Attention - Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
c. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
d. Disruptive Behaviour Disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS)
15. Tic disorders (e.g. Tourette’s syndrome)
16. Substance use disorders (e.g. glue sniffing, alcohol and drugs)
17. Dissociative (conversion) disorder
18. Sexual disorders – including but not limited to Gender Identity Disorder of Childhood
19. Emotional disorders with onset specific to childhood (F93)
20. Mental disorder, NOS
21. Contextual factors- including but not limited to:
a. Problems related to upbringing (Z62)
b. Problems related to negative life events in childhood (Z61)
c. Other problems related to primary support group, including family circumstances (Z63)
Please note that children do not need to have a diagnosed mental, behavioural or emotional disorder
to access this service.
for more information please refer to the Mental Health Services Branch Mental Health and Drug
Treatment Division (2012). Operational guidelines for the access to ATAPS CMH
Step by step provisional referral process for non-GP
1
If you think a child is appropriate for ATAPS or believe they may be at risk of developing a child
mental illness or have severe disruption to their lives (due to family violence, social isolation etc)
you can generate a provisional referral
2
Explain the process of provisional referral with the child/family and provide a copy of the
information sheet outlining service contact numbers and after hours emergency numbers
3
Complete the provisional referral form and written patient consent form (with parent/guardian)
4
Select a contracted Allied Health Professional (if not known ATAPS will allocate). The provisional
referrer will be informed by ATAPS when an Allied Health Professional has been allocated
5
Complete the provisional referral form and consent form for child mental health and fax to
ATAPS on 9354 2164. Please note incomplete forms will result in a delays
6
If further sessions are required, the GP must request the additional sessions and complete the
Child Treatment Plan
7
Advise the parent/guardian to make an appointment with their regular GP to complete a Child
Treatment Plan before the third session with the AHP. Request a long appointment
8
Provide child/family with a copy of the Child Treatment Plan, completed referral letter to GP and
a list of GPs (if they don’t have a regular GP). Remind them to book a long appointment to allow
time to complete the Child Treatment Plan
9
Advise the parent/guardian that they will be contacted by the Allied Health Professional within
three working days to make an appointment within three weeks. Please note incomplete referral
form will result in delays
10 Advise the parent/ guardian that the Allied Health Professional will provide feedback to the GP
after the first, third and sixth sessions