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STAR4kids provides free psychological therapies to children aged three to 12 years with, or at risk of, developing a mild to moderate mental illness, including depression, anxiety or stress disorders.
The STAR4kids program consists of up to 12 hours of free psychological support with a mental health professional (psychologist, mental health nurse or accredited social worker) who has experience working with children.
The service is available to:
Children experiencing barriers to accessing support through the Medicare Better Access initiative, and whose families are:
- experiencing financial hardship (self-assessed against Services Australia criteria as a guide: low income of less than $1,349 per couple per week and one dependent child, or $1,315 per single parent per week and one dependent child, and an additional $34 per week per child OR current difficulty meeting basic needs due to financial constraints)
- identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- do not speak English at home, OR
- residents of Wollondilly or Wingecarribee experiencing geographic isolation and social disconnection
This service cannot be made available to:
- children whose families do not experience barriers to accessing support though the Medicare Better Access initiative
- children with a diagnosed behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorder, including Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as the main presenting concern
- children with a NDIS Package which includes psychological therapy
STAR4kids service providers
STAR4Kids service providers must work with the child’s family to transition to more suitable services when:
- the child’s symptoms are assessed as or become more severe during the child’s therapy under STAR4Kids (referral to ICAMHS)
- the mild to moderate mental health problem is no longer the main presenting concern during the child’s therapy under STAR4Kids (referral to Better Access or NDIS provider if suitable see: EACH)
- the child turns 12 and is more suited to youth specific mental health services such as headspace or Re-Frame
How to access STAR4kids
If you are a parent or carer can gain access to the program for your child by visiting your GP for a referral. You will need to book a longer GP appointment, so your child can be assessed, and a referral and GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (for Children) is completed.
Referrals can also be made through approved referrers such as early childhood centres, teachers and school counsellors.
Referrals by health professionals
GPs and other health professionals may make referrals to this service through SWSPHN’s Mental Health Central Intake.
Visit Referring Patients Through Central Intake for instructionsPatient brochures
Commissioned provider details
Star4kids is commissioned by South Western Sydney PHN and delivered by Community Links Wellbeing, Mission Australia, ProActive Psychology, and Sparrow Centre for Children.
Community Links Wellbeing
LGAs serviced: Camden, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee.
ProActive Psychology
LGAs serviced: Bankstown and Fairfield.
Fairfield:
Phone: (02) 9727 7752
Address: Rosa House, Suite 5, 12 Nelson St FAIRFIELD NSW 2165
Bankstown:
Phone: (02) 9796 3925
Address: 6/39 Stanley Street BANKSTOWN NSW 2200
Sparrow Centre for Children
LGAs serviced: Campbelltown.