Hello all, I had a call from a foster carer this morning. She has had 3 sisters (aged 5, 6 & 8) in her care for four months and has sought assistance from the school psychologist re their behaviour, but since it's not demonstrated at school, it's not her problem. The carer was advised to go to the GP who has written up a mental health treatment plan for each child. I suspect that the girls are adjusting to a new situation and the carer is perhaps in more need of assistance than the children - but not having seen the referral or the children it's difficult to tell. I called Medicare re an opinion, saying this is most likely a family situation which Medicare does not cover as we all know; but of course, she was not able to provide much assistance saying she's not qualified to determine who has or has not got a mental illness. She said that it's up to the GP and if he's assessed them with a mental illness then it's OK to go ahead, but if I'm audited and they don't fit the criteria, I'd be held responsible as well as the GP. I know that in WA there is a process involved in hiring an external psychologist, but I also know this is not the case in debt-ridden, dirt poor Tasmania. I spoke with the carer's support worker (who should logically provide this sort of support to the carer) and he's referred me to the case-worker who only works Tues - Thurs, but I will contact her tomorrow. Any thoughts or words of wisdom would be highly valued and appreciated. Many thanks Sandy Sandy Kastner Specialist Clinical Psychologist (MACPA; MACSP) Tasman Psychological Services Mobile: 0400-528-284 Email: tasmanpsychservices@westnet.com.au