Child & Family Services

Step 1: Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, the child must:

• Be under 12 years of age. Assessments provided by Royal Far West must be completed by the child’s 12^th birthday. Referrals may be declined if, due to current waiting times or other factors, it is unlikely that services can be delivered before the child turns 12.
• Reside in an area where there is no access to the appropriate health services.
• Reside within the program’s NSW geographical boundaries of north of Taree, west of the Great Dividing Range (Lithgow), or south of Nowra.
• Fulfill relevant clinical criteria.

Because of our focus on early intervention and resource allocation, we are unable to provide assessment services to:

• Children 12 years or older.
• Children accessing appropriate local services, or for whom an appropriate local service exists (although Royal Far West may act as a secondary referral for those service providers).
• Children with acute conditions for which a more urgent response is required.
• Children whose behaviour or family situation comprises a risk to themselves or others, such that a visit to the Manly site is considered unsafe (these children may become eligible at a later date if issues resolve sufficiently).
• Children for whom the primary issue relates to an acute mental health issue.

Step 2: Referral

• To access the PDP you will need a completed referral form from your local doctor or your paediatrician if you have one.
• Sending copies of previous assessments, reports or letters is of great assistance.

Medical Referral Form

Step 3: Acknowledgement

• If the referral meets eligibility criteria, you will be sent a letter acknowledging the referral, as well as a parent questionnaire, and a school questionnaire.
• Reports or assessments that have not already been sent will also be requested.

Step 4: Parent & School Questionnaires

• The parent questionnaire and consent form need to be submitted via Connect. The school questionnaire is to be completed and submitted by the school.
• Submitting completed questionnaires with the referral and reports helps the eligibility assessment process.

Step 5: Review & Acceptance

When the completed forms, and relevant reports/letters, are received by Royal Far West, the referral will be reviewed by our Intake team. If the referral is accepted, it will be prioritised by age, where you live, reasons and date of referral.

Step 6: Admission

Prior to admission, your Intake Manager or Care Coordinator will contact you to plan your upcoming visit, and discuss any further information needed to ensure you get the most out of your time here with the team

Step 7: Cancellations Policy

Cancellations Policy