What is your COVID-19 Policy? 

The safety of our client families and staff is of the highest importance. You can find our COVID-19 policy and procedure here.  If you have further questions, an Outreach Therapy team member, or your therapist, is happy to answer them. 

Will I be on a waitlist?                                                                                                                 

It is likely your child will be on a waitlist for a number of weeks. We have a large catchment area and an increasing number of children requiring support. Depending on the nature of the concern, children will be seen in a priority sequence. If you would like to know where your child is on our waitlist please don't hesitate to call and ask. Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to phone for informal consult while on the waitlist. 

Can you treat my child without my consent?

No. At your first appointment with a therapist, you will have a conversation about informed consent. You will be asked to sign a consent form giving Outreach staff permission to work with your child before any assessment, recommendation or treatment can start. 

Who will see my child’s information?

When you consent to treatment, you will be asked to sign a form indicating which (if any) other community agencies or people you consent to us sharing information with, or obtaining information from. All records regarding your child are yours to view at any time. All information is confidential; any written reports regarding your child will be sent to you and shared only with those you have provided consent for release of information. Only information that is pertinent will be shared. 

For example: If your child is in a preschool, you can choose to give consent for Outreach staff to talk to the preschool staff about the child’s therapy goals, and give suggestions for implementation.

If you would prefer your therapy visits remain completely confidential, that is your choice and we are bound by law to honour it.

By law, we must share information with the Ministry of Children and Families if we have any reason to believe the child, you or your family is in danger.

Who has access to my child's information?

Parental requests

  • Parents who are divorced or separated and who have guardianship and custodial rights both have the right to certain information on the child's file, regardless of the child's primary residence.
  • Please contact our office to fill out a  Guardianship Declaration Form.
  • We may also require a notarized copy of the court documentation or mediation document that confirms guardianship and custodial rights.
  • Children who are under the Guardianship of the Province of BC must have records request through the child's social worker.

Legal requests - Any request for information involving litigation must be applied for through the  Ministry of Children and Family Development Freedom of Information Branch.

My partner and I are separated/divorced – do you need both of us to consent?

Only one parent’s consent is needed. We would prefer to have both parents consent whenever possible, as this is invaluable support to the child. We may also require a notarized copy of the court document or mediation document that confirms guardianship and custodial rights.

What if I need to cancel an appointment?

If you are unable to attend a scheduled therapy appointment, please call our office at 250-723-1117 for Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy appointments, and 250-723-1141 for Early Childhood Mental Health. If you don’t speak directly to a staff member, leave a message. We check our voicemail every weekday. (Early Childhood Mental Health will check messages Mon-Wed). We appreciate as much notice as possible to allow staff to adjust their schedules.

My child is sick – should I still come for our therapy appointment?

For the protection of our staff and other families in our care, please call to reschedule your therapy appointment if your child is sick. Home visits also need to be rescheduled if you, your child, or another family member in the home is sick. Symptoms that are a concern include:

  • Fever (a temperature of /over 100.4ºF or 38ºC)
  • Fatigue or body ache
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Discoloured nasal mucous or discharge
  • Persistent cough

What if I don’t agree with the therapist’s recommendations?

Outreach Therapy uses a family-centred approach. This means we want to help you and your child work on the goals that are important to you. Additionally, we encourage you to express any values, morals or beliefs that you feel may help determine delivery of service or development of individual programs. Participation in our services is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.