Group Expectations
Group success is dependent on consistency in attendance. This is to enable your child to gain maximally from participation but also to ensure that the group dynamic remains constant. When clients enrol to participate in a group, they are committing to attend all booked sessions for the term. Clients pay in advance for the term length package prior to commencement.
There are no refunds for missed sessions.
Verbal feedback is always provided by the therapist at the end of the group and notes disseminated between parents/teachers etc. However if a session is missed, the therapist running the group will provide homework specific to the missed session and tailored to the individual client who was absent. This means the student will stay up to date with the learning outcomes and not be disadvantaged when they haven’t been able to attend.
Group participation can be challenging for our students and parents. It is expected that everyone is respectful and supportive of all members.
At PIC we pride ourselves on matching students well within a social communication group. When a student is new to group work, there may be a level of uncertainty about whether it will meet their need and if the group dynamic is suitable. At the therapist’s discretion, we will offer a 3-week trial period after which time a review will take place to decide on a forward plan.
CONFIDENTIALITY IS CRITICAL.
Cancellation Policy
Partners in Communication dedicates regular sessions to our clients and as such we appreciate our client’s commitment in return.
All clients receive a booking confirmation text message 48 hours prior to their appointments. This allows clients the time to confirm, change or modify their appointment without incurring a cancellation fee.
Individual Sessions (one client with one clinician)
Less than 48 hours notice to office — 100% of session fee
(Fee is waived for first cancellation in the year due to illness)
Failure to attend appointment without notification to office — 100% of session fee
Clinician cancels appointment — No fees charged
Group Sessions (multiple clients with multiple clinicians / assistants)
There are no refunds for planned absences or missed group sessions due to illness
Clinician cancels the group session — No fees charged
Funding
It is recommended that clients find out what benefits are available through their private health insurance company.
All our practitioners are registered through the Medicare programs and so the Enhanced Primary Care/ Chronic Disease Management Plan/ Team Care Plans are available. Please note, Speech Pathologists are NOT able to accept referrals using Mental Health Care Plans.
For those clients with referrals from Paediatricians either for diagnosis or therapy, we are registered with the Helping Children with Autism Program, for more details, see this link on Medicare programs.
Self-managed NDIS clients welcome. Those clients who are currently plan-managed are able to become self-managed by requesting with the NDIS mailto:enquiries@ndis.gov.au. This process takes 4 – 6 weeks.
NDIS Disclaimer
Partners in Communication accepts both self and plan managed clients, however, some plan managers do not support participation in group sessions.
Please speak to our administration staff with any questions surrounding the use of NDIS funding for PIC services.