Separated Parents and Shared Parental Responsibility
Shared Parental Responsibility
At Spencer Health, we understand that every family is unique. Many of the children and young people we support have parents who are separated, divorced, part of blended families or living across multiple households.
We recognise that family separation can be a challenging time for both children and parents. Our role is to provide a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment where children and young people can receive the care they need while ensuring we meet our legal, ethical and professional responsibilities.
Our focus is always on supporting the wellbeing of your child and working collaboratively with families wherever possible.
The Child is Our Client
When providing services to children and young people, the child is our client.
Our clinicians work to build a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship with each child while partnering with parents and caregivers to support positive therapeutic outcomes.
Where decisions need to be made regarding consent, communication or ongoing treatment, our guiding principle is always the best interests of the child, while respecting the legal rights and responsibilities of those holding parental responsibility.
Spencer Health is a therapeutic service. Our role is to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people—we do not become involved in parental disputes or act on behalf of one parent against another.
Accordingly:
- We do not prepare reports, letters or opinions for the purpose of Family Court proceedings, parenting disputes or custody matters.
- We do not respond to requests from parents' solicitors seeking opinions or information for use in parenting or family law disputes, unless required to do so by law (for example, in response to a subpoena or Court Order).
- We do not provide recommendations regarding parenting arrangements, where a child should live, or how parental responsibility should be exercised.
- We do not advocate for one parent over another and will not allow the therapeutic relationship to be used to support one party's position in family disputes.
Where families are involved in parenting proceedings, our clinicians will remain focused on providing therapeutic care that supports the child's wellbeing and mental health.
Consent for Treatment
Before commencing services, we ask families about parental responsibility and parenting arrangements.
Where parents share parental responsibility, we will require consent from both parents before commencing treatment.
If Parenting Orders or Court Orders exist, we ask that copies are provided prior to the first appointment so we can ensure we are meeting our legal obligations.
Communication with Parents
Where parents share parental responsibility, Spencer Health is committed to maintaining open, transparent and equitable communication with both parents regarding their child's care, unless Court Orders or other legal documentation direct otherwise.
Our clinicians and administration team will not become involved in parental conflict or act as an intermediary between parents. Our role is to support the health and wellbeing of the child and to maintain a therapeutic relationship that is focused on the child's best interests.
To support this approach:
- Significant communications relating to the child's care will generally be shared with both parents.
- Where appropriate, written correspondence received from one parent relating to the child's treatment may be shared with the other parent in the interests of maintaining transparency.
- Spencer Health will generally avoid engaging in private discussions with one parent about matters relating to the child's treatment that exclude the other parent, unless there is a clinical, legal or safety reason for doing so.
- Both parents are welcome to attend parent review appointments, feedback sessions and other meetings relating to their child's care, where appropriate and clinically beneficial.
- Where separate discussions with parents are clinically indicated, the treating clinician will determine the most appropriate approach, taking into account the child's best interests, professional obligations and any relevant legal documentation.
- Spencer Health will not ordinarily rely on one parent to communicate important information to the other.
- Where Court Orders or other legal documentation restrict communication or decision-making, Spencer Health will comply with those requirements.
Spencer Health's responsibility is to provide safe, ethical and effective care for the child. We do not take sides in parental disputes or become involved in parenting conflict. Our clinicians will remain child-focused and work respectfully with all individuals who hold parental responsibility, consistent with our legal and professional obligations.
Confidentiality
One of the foundations of effective therapy is helping children and young people feel safe enough to talk openly.
For this reason, not everything discussed during therapy is automatically shared with parents.
Your clinician will provide appropriate feedback about your child's progress while also respecting the child's privacy where clinically appropriate.
If there are concerns relating to your child's safety or the safety of another person, appropriate action will always be taken in accordance with our professional and legal obligations.
Changes to Family Circumstances
Family circumstances sometimes change during the course of therapy.
If your family experiences changes such as:
- separation or divorce;
- new Parenting Orders or Court Orders;
- changes to parental responsibility;
- changes to living arrangements; or
- significant family events,
please let your treating clinician or our administration team know as soon as possible.
This allows us to review consent arrangements, communication preferences and any changes that may affect your child's ongoing care.
Court Proceedings
Spencer Health provides therapeutic assessment and treatment services.
Our clinicians do not undertake Family Court custody evaluations, parenting assessments or make recommendations regarding parenting arrangements.
Where families are involved in parenting disputes, our role remains focused on supporting the child's emotional wellbeing rather than becoming involved in legal proceedings.
Questions About Privacy
We understand that privacy, confidentiality and parental access to information can sometimes be complex, particularly following separation.
If you have any questions about how information is managed, please speak with your treating clinician or contact our Principal Clinical Psychologist. We are committed to working collaboratively with families while ensuring that your child's wellbeing remains at the centre of all decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where parents share parental responsibility, Spencer Health requires consent from both parents before commencing treatment. If one parent has sole parental responsibility for healthcare decisions, we will request legal documentation confirming this.
Court Orders and Parenting Orders help us understand who has responsibility for making healthcare decisions and how communication should occur. Having this information allows us to meet our legal obligations and provide the most appropriate care for your child.
Where parents share parental responsibility, both parents are welcome to contact Spencer Health to obtain information relating to their child's appointments and ongoing care, unless Court Orders or other legal documentation restrict this.
Spencer Health will communicate with both parents regarding significant matters affecting their child's treatment where appropriate. We encourage parents to discuss communication preferences with our administration team at the commencement of services so we can support the family's individual circumstances.
No.
Effective therapy depends on children and young people feeling safe to speak openly with their clinician.
Your child's psychologist will provide feedback about progress, treatment goals and ways you can support your child. However, some conversations will remain confidential where this is considered clinically appropriate and in your child's best interests.
If your child's safety, or the safety of another person, is at risk, your clinician will take appropriate action in accordance with professional and legal obligations.
Please let us know as soon as possible if there are changes such as separation, new Court Orders, changes to parental responsibility or changes to living arrangements.
We will review your child's records, consent arrangements and communication preferences to ensure we continue to provide appropriate care.
Where parents share parental responsibility, decisions about commencing or ceasing treatment can become complex if parents disagree.
If this occurs, our clinicians will carefully consider their legal and ethical obligations and may seek further information, consult with our Principal Clinical Psychologist or obtain legal advice before making a decision about ongoing treatment.
Where parents share parental responsibility, both parents may be entitled to receive reports and other clinical information unless Court Orders or legal restrictions provide otherwise.
Requests for information are considered individually, taking into account legal requirements, professional obligations and the best interests of the child.
No.
Our clinicians provide therapeutic services and are not appointed by the Family Court to make recommendations regarding parenting arrangements, custody or where a child should live.
Our role is to support the child's mental health and wellbeing.
The safety of our clients, families and staff is our highest priority.
If there are concerns regarding family violence, coercive control, intimidation or other safety issues, please let us know as early as possible and provide any relevant Court Orders or legal documentation.
We will manage communication and information sharing in accordance with the law while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.
This page was last reviewed: July 2026
If you require this information in an alternative format or need assistance to raise a concern, please contact our team and we will be happy to assist.
