Physiotherapy for Children and Young People
Physiotherapy can help in the management and development of movement skills. Children may require physiotherapy for a range of different movement problems which may occur from a short-term condition e.g. following a fracture, or from a long-term illness or disability e.g. Cerebral Palsy. Physiotherapists use a range of approaches, including exercise programs, postural management equipment, bespoke orthotics, walking aids and other specialist equipment. services for children:
Child Development Physiotherapy Service (0-19 years)
The Child Development Service is a Multi-Disciplinary Team which provides community services for children and young people with Developmental Health Needs.
The Physiotherapists in this team may support children with:
- Delays in motor development
- Movement disorders, including complex disability, neuromuscular disorders and acquired brain injury
Children’s Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Service (0-16 years)
The Children’s Physiotherapy Musculoskeletal Service is for babies, children and young people who require physiotherapy for:
- Acute soft tissue injuries e.g. muscle and ligament sprains
- Rehabilitation following orthopaedic surgery e.g. fractures
- Long term joint and muscle pain e.g. low back pain, anterior knee pain
Physiotherapists from these teams work in partnership with parents and carers, ensuring that they receive advice, intervention and support to enable their child’s movement potential.
Referral to the services can be made via your GP, Health Visitor or Hospital Consultant.
For more information please contact:
0203 312 6281 (if your GP is located in the north of the Borough)
020 331 58667 (if your GP is located in the south of the Borough)
The locations of these services vary depending on the location of your GP.
Speech and Language Therapy Service for Children and Young People (SALT) (0-19 years)
Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Teams Assess, Diagnose, and provide Therapy for children and young people under the age of 19 with Speech, Language, Communication and/or Swallowing Problems. The team works across a range of settings including Nurseries, Clinics, Mainstream Schools, Specialist Units and Special Schools and work closely with Families, Teachers, Support Workers and other key members of staff across the settings they attend. For children with Speech Language and Communication Difficulties the service aims to support them to reach their full potential using whatever their level of ability and preferred communication method.
Children of school age who attend out of Borough schools should access this service through this placement.
This service is accessed via a referral from parents, GP’s, Health Visitors, Nursery Teachers and SENCO’s. For more information call the Speech and Language Therapy Service on 020 8846 7987.
Children and Young Peoples Occupational Therapy (0-19 years)
Occupational Therapists assess and treat children who have difficulties that affect their ability to do every day physical activities. Occupational Therapists support children to access and participate in a range of daily occupations which are meaningful to them. Children may require input for:
- Positioning and posture to support participation in everyday activities
- Developing the skills needed to participate in self-care tasks (e.g. tooth brushing, toileting, washing, dressing, eating)
- Personal organisation and managing transitions between activities or environments
- Participating in learning tasks – e.g. writing, using scissors, selecting and organising tools/belongings
- Accessing play/ leisure resources at home, school or the wider community
- Physical access to places and spaces at home, school, and the wider community. This may include supporting a child with gross motor coordination difficulties
- Upper Limb management for children and young people with neurological conditions (e.g. Cerebral palsy)
Children are supported through individual or group sessions in clinic, school/nursery, or home. The service also provide education sessions to parents.
To access this service your child will need to be referred by a professional involved with their care. For more information call 0207 266 8606
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (0-18)
CAMHS offer a range of Targeted and Specialist Community Assessment and Treatment for families where children and young people have Emotional, Behavioural or Mental Health Difficulties.
The service comprises of multi-disciplinary teams of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, Psychotherapists, Family Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals (Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech and Language Therapists) based in Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster.
The types of problems CAMHS can help with include:
- Violent or angry behaviour
- Depression
- Eating difficulties
- Low self-esteem
- Relationship problems
- Anxiety and phobias
- Obsessions and compulsions
- Sleep difficulties
- Self-harm behaviour
- The effects of abuse or traumatic events
- Additional services for young people with learning disabilities or neurodevelopment difficulties such as Autism Spectrum Disorde
CAMHS can also diagnose and treat Serious Mental Health problems such as:
- Psychosis
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Anorexia nervosa
To find your nearest CAMHS service please click here.
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (South RBKC)
The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service offers Assessment and Treatment for children and young people suffering Mental Health Difficulties.
Their Consultants are experienced in Psychiatry, Family Psychotherapy and Child Psychotherapy and work closely with a Paediatric Social Worker to provide services for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital’s Emergency Department and Children’s Wards, Local Schools and Community Social Services.
The team assesses each child and a Multidisciplinary Treatment Plan is offered for those requiring care on one of their Children’s Wards. They maintain close links with Children’s Social Services to ensure children are supported at home and in the community.
Contact Information
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Service
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
369 Fulham Road
London
SW10 9NH
T: 020 3315 8617
Behaviour and Family Support Team (5-18 years)
The Behaviour and Family Support Team provides Assessments, Intervention Work, Consultations, Support, Counselling and Practical Advice for children with Moderate to Severe Learning Disabilities who have Emotional, Behavioural, Mental Health problems or Complex Needs. These services are also offered to their families and carers. The team also works with RBKC’s Children with Disabilities Team. The team includes a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Assistant Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapist and an Occupational Therapist. They can provide the following support:
- Behavioural Management Advice
- Family Therapy
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Counselling and Support
- Liaison and Consultation with other services involved
- Development of a Care Package
The service is aimed at children between the ages of 5-18 however, if you feel your child, may require help in this area you can contact the team to discuss both your child’s and your needs. You can contact the team directly by phone on 0207 598 4911, or your child can be referred to them by a professional.
Child Development Service (0-19)
Child Development teams are led by Paediatricians working closely with Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists. In RBKC there are two Child development services, one situated in the north and the other in the south of the borough.
For more information on this service click here.