Our aim is to provide a high quality physiotherapy and occupational therapy service to meet the needs of children and young people aged 0-16 (up to 19 if already in the service).
Physiotherapists support children and their families with their physical needs and development.
Occupational Therapists provide advice and support to families in relation to functional and daily living skills.
All our therapists are specialists in child development and the assessment of a child’s abilities.
Our aim is to support and develop self-management and independence of a child or young person in their everyday activities at home, in education and in their community.
Where we work
Depending on what is most appropriate for your child, we offer consultations:
- face to face
- via telephone
- via video consultations
We carry out assessments and interventions at:
- Woodview Child Development Centre in Widnes
- Childrens Centres, Runcorn and Widnes
- Nurseries
- Mainstream and Special schools
- Childs home
Most of our locations are wheelchair accessible, but please get in touch if you have specific access needs for appointments.
What to expect
An opt in letter will be sent once a child’s referral is accepted – the family must contact us within 10 days to make an appointment.
We aim to offer an appointment within 18 weeks of accepting a referral.
The initial appointment will take around 45 minutes. We will gather information and complete activities that support understanding the child’s difficulties. A report summarising our findings will be shared with relevant professionals.
If difficulties are identified the therapist will
- Agree goals with the child and family,
- Make plans towards these goals, and
- Provide advice and activities
Therapy activity sessions, assessments for specialist equipment, and EHCP contributions may be offered.
Your child may be invited back for review of their progress and to update their plan.
There is no cost to use the Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy service.
With parental consent, we share information about the outcomes of assessments and the strategies recommended in order to ensure that preschools, nurseries and schools implement the same strategies on a daily basis.
If you do not wish for this information to be shared then you can withdraw this at any time by speaking to your therapist.
Transition
Where the service continues to be involved at transition points, such as school entry or moving from primary to secondary, children to adults services.
These transitions will be supported by ensuring links are made with other relevant agencies.
Please contact your therapist as your child approaches these transitions if you have any concerns.
Discharge
A child will be discharged from the service for any one of the following reasons:
- No functional goals identified from the initial/review assessment.
- Where the child is functioning in line with their overall cognitive level
- Treatment Goals Complete – episode of care complete.
- Non-compliance with a therapy programme by child / carer.
- Abuse/violence/aggression toward staff by client/carer.
- Child/family does not engage with the service – in line with Bridgewater Patient Access Policy.
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