Physiotherapy Service for Children (Newham)

Parents, Guardians, GPs, Schools and other Healthcare Professionals can refer to the Children’s Physiotherapy Service.

We have a standard referral form which enables you to provide us with the information we need to decide how it is best to help the child/ young person. These referrals can be posted or emailed directly to our Service. Once a referral is received, an experienced qualified Physiotherapist, will read the referral and decide whether the referral will be accepted or not.

Specialist Children's & Young People's Services Child Development Service and Therapies Referral Form>>

Your child's first physiotherapy appointment will involve a thorough examination to establish how physiotherapy might be able to help. Initially, we will ask you various questions. You will be asked about your child's development, any medication they may be taking, how they are managing at school, their abilities and difficulties, any pain there are suffering from. Your child will be involved as much as possible in these discussions.

Your child will then need to be appropriately undressed for the physical examination. This is important in order to check ranges of movements and see how your child moves. They may prefer to wear shorts.

Once the physiotherapist has assessed your child, they will discuss their findings with you and together establish a plan for your child's treatment if this is required. This may include what we can do to help you and what you and your child can do at home to continue the treatment. You will always have the opportunity to discuss any concerns or questions you may have.

We are based at West Ham Lane Health Centre but also hold clinics at Appleby Health Centre.

The Children’s Physiotherapy Team provide a child centred service to children who are registered with a Newham GP, under the age of 18, and who have a physical disability, condition or concern that impacts on their development and functional daily activities at home or in school. Sometimes only one appointment is needed and sometimes we are involved with the child until adulthood.  

A children’s physiotherapist has an understanding of:  

• child development
• childhood diseases and conditions that may impact on development and well being
• therapeutic interventions that enable and optimise development and well being
• the need to place the child at the centre of planning
• the impact that having a sick or disabled child has on family life
• how to keep children safe
• how to ensure that children and young people make choices
• how to develop their own skills and practice
• how to develop services in line with Government guidance committed to improving quality and life chances for children

We assess and treat to promote independence and help every child achieve their physical potential. We see children in clinic, in their homes, at schools/nurseries and children’s centres depending on the needs of the child and family. We are also now able to offer appointments via video and telephone consultations. 

Our treatment is based upon an assessment of the child’s needs. This may include:

• advice, reassurance and recommendations
• personalised activity or exercise programmes
• positioning and handling
• providing specialist equipment
• serial casting and orthotics 
• referrals to other Professionals

We see children who are registered with a Newham GP and aged up to 18 years old. There are many children who may benefit from physiotherapy with a huge range of problems or conditions.

The most common conditions we treat are:

• Neurological conditions e.g. cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury
• Neuromuscular conditions e.g. muscular dystrophy
• Syndromes and metabolic diseases e.g. Down syndrome
• Congenital abnormalities e.g. talipes, torticollis, spina bifida
• Delayed movement skills e.g. rolling, sitting, walking
• Concerns with walking or posture and developmental variations 
• Community rehabilitation following planned hospital admission or surgery
• Rheumatological conditions for community access needs 
• Developmental co-ordination difficulties
• Musculoskeletal concerns e.g. knee pain. Children over 10 years old will be forwarded to the Adult Musculoskeletal Team.