The following are frequently asked questions about the changes at are occurring at headspace Parramatta on 1 July 2019. We will update this page frequently as we learn new information. The last update was 16 May 2019. 

What is changing? 

Nearly all headspace centres across the country are locally operated by a lead agency and each lead agency must operate their centres using the national headspace foundation’s branding and standards of care.

Currently Parramatta Mission is the lead agency for headspace Parramatta and headspace Castle Hill. From 1 July 2019, Flourish Australia will be the new lead agency for these centres. This means that the day-to-day operations of the centre will be run by another organization.

The changes that are happening will be mostly internal but there may be some changes to the centre’s staff and the way the service supports young people and their families.

More importantly even with these changes, headspace Parramatta will still be here to support young people and their families.

Why is this happening?

Almost all headspace centres across Australia are locally run by a lead agency. 

Parramatta Mission has been the lead agency for headspace Parramatta and headspace Castle Hill and recently the funding body, WentWest made the decision that Flourish Australia will be the lead agency  from 1 July 2019. 

More information about the decision can be found here: https://www.wentwest.com.au/news-media/media-releases

How will this affect me?

I’m already accessing support at headspace Parramatta

How these changes affect you may depend on the type of support you are currently accessing at headspace Parramatta. 

The most important thing to know is that headspace Parramatta will continue to provide services that are in line with the national headspace foundation’s branding and standards of care.

You will be able to continue to receive support at headspace Parramatta from 1 July 2019. If would like your file to be shared with Flourish Australia, you will need to provide consent for this to happen.

If you would like to know more about how the changes may specifically impact you, the consent process or if would like to talk about how the transition could be made easier for you, please give our team a call on 1300 737 616 or talk to your clinician.

For young people accessing our Youth Early Psychosis Program (hYEPP), these changes will not have a huge impact on you, as the hYEPP program will continue to be run by Parramatta Mission, at your headspace centre.

I want to start seeing someone at headspace Parramatta

Parramatta Mission is committed to continue to help and support young people and their families make informed decisions about their care. Depending on the type of support you need, we may be able to help you with our current programs, otherwise we can help you find alternative supports outside of your local headspace. 

One informed decision that we can help you make is whether you’d like to start getting support before or after the transition.

What will be different?

We will continue to provide any updates about what may be changing as this information becomes available and at this stage the important thing to know is that headspace has over 100 local centres across Australia and each centre is committed to providing an easy to access one-stop-shop for young people. 

Each headspace centre must also operate using the national headspace foundation’s branding and standards of care so this means that headspace Parramatta and headspace Castle Hill will continue to help young people with their mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drugs & work and study support.

Flourish Australia have experience of being the lead agency for headspace Bankstown and headspace Broken Hill.

Will I still be able to see the same person I’ve been seeing?

The transition of headspace Parramatta and headspace Castle Hill from Parramatta Mission to Flourish Australia means that some of the staff may be changing. So if your clinician is going to change, we will work to let you know as early as possible. 

If you give us consent, we’ll provide a copy of your file to Flourish Australia so that if the person you see changes, they’ll have a better understanding of the type of support you need. 

If you would like to know more about how the changes may specifically impact you, the consent process or if would like to talk about how the transition could be made easier for you, please give our team a call on 1300 737 616 or talk to your clinician.

What are the next steps? 

If you have not spoken to your clinician about these changes, please give our team a call on 1300 737 616.

When will we have more answers? How can I stay up to date?

Parramatta Mission are having regular meetings with Flourish Australia to work through this transition and as more information comes to light we’ll update this page. If you have any questions please let our team know or give us a call on 1300 737 616.

 Version Differences:

1.1 [16 May 2019 BU] - Minor changes to overall wording.
1.0 [15 May 2019 BU]  - Original Q&A