Children's Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists work with children who have conditions affecting their physical movement and development, helping them to achieve their full physical potential through play-based exercises, activity programs, and advice for families and schools. 

The SHC Children’s Physiotherapy Service provides assessment for children with a wide variety of conditions including gross motor development delay (eg. delay in sitting / crawling / walking), neurological conditions (eg. cerebral palsy), physical disability, difficulties with balance and coordination, and musculoskeletal problems, including sports injuries, post fractures, back and neck pain and joint problems.

We identify movement and functional difficulties and offer treatment and advice using play, activities and exercise to help children reach their full physical potential.  We provide programmes of exercises and activities the child can do with their family and in school, with the aim of helping the child to manage their physical symptoms, achieve functional mobility and either maintain or develop skills.

We also work with children and young people who have complex health needs and require specialist equipment such as sleep systems, standing frames, and walkers.

Who is this service for?

• We work with children and young people up to the age of:

o    15.5 for musculoskeletal problems.

o    18 for neurological conditions or physical disability.

o    19 for those with complex health needs with an Educational Health Care Plan.

• Children referred must be registered with a Sutton GP.

How will the service help my child?

The Physiotherapist will see you and your child and will talk to you about your concerns.  They will carry out an assessment which may include muscle tone, range of movement, muscle strength, coordination, posture, balance and gross motor skills.

They will agree an appropriate treatment plan with you and give you a home exercise programme to be done regularly.  There may also be some pieces of useful equipment you could use with your child.  

The Therapist will write a short report about your child and provide you with a programme of activities. This information will be shared with nursery or school so they can use the same ideas and activities to help your child during the day.

We may offer your child some therapy input, which could be in a group with other children, or some individual sessions.

How can my child get this service?

If you are worried about your child's development, discuss this with your Health Visitor, School Nurse, or your GP. You will need to get a referral from your GP.  If your child is seen by a Paediatrician, they can also refer.

Where will my child receive this service?

The service is primarily clinic based; children are usually invited to Green Wrythe Lane Clinic, Carshalton for their first Physiotherapy appointment.

Follow up appointments, if needed, may be offered in the same clinic, at school, nursery, or children's centres. For children with very complex health needs, appointments can take place at home.

Children attending Sherwood Park School who have health needs specified in their EHCP receive their Physiotherapy input in school.