What do Paediatric Physiotherapists do?

Paediatric Physiotherapists will listen to what matters to you.  We will discuss your concerns and identify if and how Physiotherapy can help.  We may work in collaboration with others to support your health and wellbeing and aim to work in the most appropriate environment for you.  This may include Child Centres, out-patient clinics, hospitals, homes, nurseries, schools or local leisure centres.

Paediatric Physiotherapists can help with a wide range of conditions, motor development and acute illness and injury. Below are some examples:

• Neurological conditions e.g. Cerebral Palsy, Head Injury
• Congenital Conditions and Syndromes e.g. Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome
• Neuromuscular disorders e.g. Muscular Dystrophy
• Respiratory conditions e.g. Cystic Fibrosis
• Rheumatological Conditions e.g. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
• Developmental delay
• Conditions where mobility is affected
• Coordination problems
• Neonatal care
• Acute injuries e.g. following trauma
• Musculoskeletal problems
• After surgery rehabilitation
• Burns and plastics

Who else is in the Physiotherapy Team?

Physiotherapy Clinical Support Workers are an essential part of the Physiotherapy Service delivering interventions to children, young people and their families under the direction of a qualified Physiotherapist.

With your consent a Physiotherapy student may also be involved in your care under the supervision of your Physiotherapist.

Your Physiotherapist will retain overall responsibility for your care.

The Role of the Community Physiotherapy Support Worker

The Physiotherapy Clinical Support Workers are part of the Physiotherapy Service delivering intervention to children, young people and their families under the direction of a qualified Physiotherapist.
The Physiotherapist will agree a therapy plan with you and the Support Worker will work with your child/young person in the most appropriate setting to carry out this plan.
The Support Worker will feedback regularly to the Physiotherapist on the progress of the therapy plan. The Physiotherapist will retain overall responsibility of care for the child and young person.