The APS was pleased to respond to the consultation on the draft models of care for headspace Plus and Youth Specialist Care Centres.
While the APS commended the Government’s investment in strengthening mental health care for young people whose needs are not adequately met by existing services, we also noted that gaps in mental health support for children and young people will remain beyond the proposed models.
Consequently, our submission included recommendations to improve access to MBS Better Access services for children and young people. In addition, we made other key recommendations, including:
• The role of psychologists within these models should be more clearly defined;
• Pathways for collaboration with psychologists working in private practice, schools, community services, and other settings should be strengthened;
• Defined regional service planning processes be implemented that clearly articulate pathways, referral arrangements, shared-cared responsibilities and service interfaces across Commonwealth, state and community-based services; and
• The establishment of a national evaluation framework with consistent outcome, experience and access measures to support continuous improvement and accountability.
View submission