Little Sparks
Mental health support for children and families
Beam Health delivers the Little Sparks program, a Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (PHN)- funded initiative that provides free mental health support for children under 12 years of age.
Children can access support from experienced Psychologists and Mental Health practitioners in a safe, supportive, and child-focused environment.
The program is fully funded by the Commonwealth Government and PHN, so there are no out-of-pocket costs for eligible participants. Children who meet the criteria can access up to 12 individual sessions (50 minutes each) per calendar year with an experienced psychologist and Mental Health Practitioners. Where appropriate, group sessions may also be facilitated; these do not count towards the individual therapy sessions.
Referrals are primarily received from General Practitioners. Provisional referrals may also come from Paediatricians, Child & Family Health Nurses, or School Counsellors. If a child is provisionally referred, a maximum of two appointments can occur before referral from a General Practitioner (GP) is required for services to continue.
How We Can Help
Target group
Children under the age of 12 and their families/caregivers who may experience barriers accessing mental health support due to financial hardship or limited service availability.
Priority group
Services are prioritised for children in the target group who:
- Have parents with a severe mental illness
- Are experiencing significant emotional distress, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or mental health concerns
- Live in rural or remote areas
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, children must:
- Meet the target group criteria above
- Live within the Central Coast, Greater Newcastle, Lower Hunter Valley, or Upper Hunter Valley regions
- Not currently accessing equivalent psychological services through other funded programs
How to access the program
Speak with your GP about whether the Little Sparks program may be suitable for your child. If your GP is unfamiliar with Little Sparks, our team can help provide information about eligibility and referrals. Your GP will make the referral to the program if appropriate.
Therapy delivery options
The Little Sparks program can be delivered in the way that feels most accessible and supportive for your child and family:
- Face-to-face appointment
- Telehealth appointment
- Alternative arrangements
Number and length of sessions
Eligible children can access up to 12 individual sessions per calendar year, with each session lasting approximately 50 minutes.
Meet our Psychology & Mental Health Team
FAQs
How long do sessions go for?
Each session runs for 50 minutes.
Do I need a Medicare card?
No. However, a referral from your GP is required to access up to 12 individual sessions.
What happens if my child needs ongoing support?
At the end of the 12 sessions, your clinician will work with you to identify appropriate next steps if further support is needed. This may include connecting your child with additional services or ongoing care options.
How do I book sessions?
Appointments can be booked through our reception team, who will help find a suitable day and time for your child.
You can also contact us by phone to book your next appointment.
How often will my child attend sessions?
Together, we’ll create a schedule that best supports your child’s needs and therapy goals. We will work to find a schedule that best supports your child’s needs and therapy goals.
What is the cost of sessions?
Little Sparks is a free mental health support program.
Will my child’s information be kept confidential?
Yes. Your child’s information is kept private in line with our confidentiality policy. With your consent, we may share relevant information with your child’s GP to support their care. There are some legal and safety limitations to confidentiality, which will be discussed with you at the first appointment.
What appointment types are available?
We offer face-to-face, phone, and telehealth appointments.
What happens if I need to cancel?
We ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations or missed sessions may affect your child’s place in the program. If three sessions are missed without notice, your child may be discharged from the program or placed back on the waitlist. We will always aim to provide guidance on ongoing support options if this occurs.
Who will be supporting my child?
Your child may be supported by experienced psychologists, counsellors, social workers and mental health nurses, depending on their individual needs and goals.
We're Here to Support You
Our team is here to help your child access supportive, compassionate mental health care.
GP & Health Professional Referrals
GP referrals for the Little Sparks PHN-funded program can be addressed to Beam Health and sent to referrals@beamservices.com.au