Physiotherapy - Schools

Children playing out on a field at school.

The Children’s Physiotherapy Team provide health advice for Children and Young People (CYP) known to our Service, who have difficulties accessing the curriculum due to mobility, functional difficulties and postural needs.

Treatment in school minimises absence from school for therapy and provides opportunity for the therapist to discuss and give appropriate advice for handling and supporting the growing and changing child in the school environment. Missing school has a negative impact on CYP's learning as well as the reported effects on their self-esteem.

We working jointly with SALT, OT, CDS- Paediatrician, Visually Impaired team (VI), Complex Needs and Dyslexia Service (CNDS), Equipment Representatives to trial Equipment and LBN Social Services - CIN/ Core Group meeting. We also liaise with Tertiary centres like HCP from GOSH and RLH for Team Around child meeting (TAC).

Physiotherapy in Schools

Resource Schools

Physiotherapists in resource schools

Ronald Openshaw Nursery Education Centre (RONEC)- Jalia Mugambwa
Brampton Primary School - Jalia Mugambwa
Cleves Primary School - Katie Walsh and Rufus Luther
Colegrave Primary School - Rebecca Nicolson and Nicola Castradori
North Beckton Primary School - Janhavi Ardesher
Sir John Heron Primary School - Tabassum Dyer and Alex Zacharias
Eastlea Community School - Alex Zacharias
Royal Docks Academy - Katie Espley and Katie Walsh

Provision

We will offer review appointments every year, which may consist of assessments and review of any orthotics and equipment, and training school staff to carry out exercise programmes.

CYP may also be reviewed in specialist clinics, jointly with other health care professionals.

A report will be produced and updated yearly by a Physiotherapist.

We also offer universal training to school staff each academic year.

Special School

John F Kennedy School is a special school in Newham for CYP with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD).

Physiotherapists in JFK

Janhavi Ardesher
Rufus Luther
Nicola Castradori

Provision

We will offer review appointments, which may consist of assessments and review of any orthotics and equipment, and training school staff to carry out exercise programmes.

A report will be produced and updated yearly by a Physiotherapist.

We also offer universal training to school staff each academic year.

Mainstream Schools

Our therapists are able to review children in mainstream schools as required.

Reviewing children in schools ensures a multidisciplinary, holistic approach and supports children in accessing the National Curriculum. A majority of the CYP seen in a school setting have been granted higher resource provision, have equipment and are supported by a Learning Support Assistant (LSA).

Provision

We will offer review appointments, which may consist of assessments and review of any orthotics and equipment, and training school staff to carry out exercise programmes.

CYP may also be reviewed in specialist clinics, jointly with other health care professionals.

A report will be produced and updated yearly by a Physiotherapist.

We also offer universal training to school staff each academic year.

We will offer Annual or Biannual (requested by individual schools if required) Physiotherapy Equipment training sessions in mainstream, resource base and special schools.

In this training, we will offer a 30-minute presentation about the importance of PT positioning in school, commonly seen childhood conditions and information about equipment and practical demonstration of walkers, standing frames, wedges and gym ball for positioning.

The Educational PACK provides generic advice and red flags for schools. Websites and YouTube channels are additional resources to commonly asked questions. Information on local offer - LBN, ELFT & SCYPS website and leaflets are also available. (Newham activity).

Newham local offer: https://families.newham.gov.uk/kb5/newham/directory/localoffer.page?localofferchannel=0 Add link to Ed Pack.

We will offer a minimum of two reviews per academic year, which may consist of postural assessments, joint movement assessments (CPIPs), muscle tone assessment and review of orthotics and equipment such as standing frames and walking frames and training to individual TAs to perform the Physiotherapy positioning, stretching and strengthening programme. Every child will also receive one treatment block per academic year, consisting of 6 sessions.

A report will be produced and updated yearly by a Physiotherapist.

A program, which needs to be carried out in school, will be updated annually. We aim to include advice for inclusion into PE and accessing all areas of the school e.g. playground in our recommendations.

The Educational PACK provides generic advice and red flags for schools. Websites and YouTube channels are additional resources to commonly asked questions.

Add link to EHCP.

Additional 6 week treatment blocks will be offered after intervention (surgical, tone management), during times of transition (new starters or junior to senior school), and during times of functional and mobility change, e.g. if there is risk of deterioration or potential to improve.

CYP who meet the criteria will be signposted to sport and leisure facilities, which they can attend to increase their potential. In specific cases, we may offer a one off introduction visit.

This may also include a one off swimming or gym session, if these facilities are available. Add link to Newham activity leaflet.

What happens when your YP is discharged from our service?

We will continue to review CYP until completion of full-time education. CYP may choose to go to a day centre or college. We will identify CYP who have unmet health needs, like equipment and orthotics, or who require monitoring. We start preparing them and their family for transition to adulthood.

YP can be referred, as needed, to the Adult Learning Disability team, Community Adult Neuro Service, and the Musculoskeletal team (via your GP). They can also be referred to the Adult Orthopaedic team via your GP.

Add links to LD team and CNS?