This agreement between the ISA and the Mental Health Practitioner outlines the responsibilities, expectations, and processes involved in the SOLAS project.
About SOLAS
The ISA endeavours to facilitate essential Mental Health supports to the Irish community.
SOLAS is a subsidised counselling service for all members of the Irish Australian community living in NSW.
The Irish Support Agency acknowledges a foundation grant from The Light Ball in support of the SOLAS service as well as generous donations from both The Ireland Funds and The Lansdowne Club to facilitate the expansion of the service to as broad a base as possible within NSW.
Practitioners
The ISA has engaged with several Irish Australian practitioners in the field of counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, and mental health care.
How it will work
Clients contacting the ISA for mental health supports will undergo an initial screening to capture personal data such as contact details etc. Any pertinent details captured during the course of that discussion will be communicated to the practitioner by way of a Client Data Form. Information will not be specifically elicited. This document will contain details of the ISA Client No. for use in the invoicing process.
Clients will be asked to sign a Legal Disclaimer after which they will be furnished with a Directory of Practitioners. Once a preferred practitioner has been selected, ISA will contact the practitioner to confirm capacity to accept the Client. If confirmed, the client will make direct contact with the practitioner to make an appointment.
The ISA will fully subsidise 2 x sessions with the practitioner.
The ISA will contact the client to review progress and commitment to the program and to discuss co-payment / fully subsidised options.
As a minimum clients will be required to complete a DASS 21 form pre and post engagement which will form part of the overall evaluation of the initiative.
Due to our experience of a high volume of clients being lost to follow up, DASS21 evaluations will now be required within the body of the 2nd and 6th sessions before authorisation will be given to progress.
The practitioner-led evaluation at session 6 mirrors that of the Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan. Further support for the client will be discussed between Practitioner and ISA on an individual client basis.
When support is completed, the practitioner needs to complete final assessment and then complete the Impact Assessment form with pre and post intervention scores and return to the ISA.
As a practitioner participating in the SOLAS program, we ask that you:
Submit a copy of a CV including relevant qualifications; professional registrations and indemnity insurance.
Sign the ISA’s Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Provide ISA with information on fee structure.
Have the ability to facilitate in-person appointments in fit-for-purpose premises or via VC.
Agree to a payment term of 5 working days via bank transfer on receipt of an invoice containing your banking details. Please reference the ISA Client number no. rather than client name on invoices.
On completion, provide the ISA with a final DASS21 assessment within 5 working days alongside any recommendations for ongoing support.
Notify the ISA if you have concerns about fulfilling your obligation to the program.
Advise of any particular specialisms (either by training or passion) that can be included in the directory as well as your preferred contact details that can be shared with the client.