Overview
We offer assessment, advice and therapy for children and young people with physical difficulties or disabilities. This can include support, instructions and consultations for parents and carers and others that may be involved with you or your child (such as teachers and other health professionals).
Therapy may include activity and exercise programmes, individual or group sessions, aquatic therapy. The physiotherapy team work collaboratively towards enabling children and young people and their families to manage their own physical health needs, and maximise their physical potential.
Examples of when physiotherapy may be needed include delay in development, mobility problems, neuromuscular disorders, neurological conditions, balance and co-ordination difficulties, joint and muscle pain/problems.
We also provide physiotherapy as part of outreach work for Marjorie McClure and Riverside special schools. More information on these aspects of services can be found on the school websites.
If you are not sure whether a physiotherapy assessment is needed or not please contact the children’s physiotherapy department through the Care Coordination Centre (administration pod 5) on the number below.
Using this service
The service is for children aged 0 to 18. To use the service you need to be registered with a Bromley GP or attend a special school in Bromley borough.
There is a service available for school-based physiotherapy for your child if they attend a mainstream school in the Bromley borough. We will work closely with your local physiotherapy service if your child should need this.
Your child can be referred to see us by your doctor (GP), health visitor, paediatrician or teacher, and other health care professionals who might be seeing your child. However, you can approach us directly to discuss your concerns.
Who do we see?
The Children’s Physiotherapy service is open to children and young people registered with a Bromley GP or at a Bromley school, who meet the criteria described in our leaflets:
Eligibility criteria for Children’s Physiotherapy
Guidance for Health Visitors (pre-school children)
Appointments
Your first appointment
You will be seen by a qualified physiotherapist who will complete an assessment. Your appointment will take place usually in the clinic, but your physiotherapist can arrange appointments with pre-school, school or home; wherever is most suitable to meet your child’s needs.
Changing or cancelling an appointment
Please give as much notice as possible. Please call the Care Co-ordination Centre on 0300 330 5777. If you are asked to leave a message, please state your child’s name and date of birth, appointment details as well as your contact details. This will enable us to have your information to hand when we return your call.
More information
Below are a number of local services which you might find useful.
Bromley Mencap
A registered charity working with and on behalf of people with a learning disability in the London Borough of Bromley.
Bromley Parent Voice
A forum that aims to be a voice to inform service providers of the needs of children and young people with a disability or additional need and their families by facilitating two–way communication between parent/carers and service providers in the London Borough of Bromley.
Children with Disabilities and Additional Needs
Provides help and advice to families in the borough who have children aged 18 or under with disabilities and special needs. This includes children with severe physical, learning or sensory disabilities.
Below are a number of national organisations which you might find useful.
Contact a Family
The only UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to the parents of all disabled children.
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
Supporting blind and partially sighted people.
Royal National Institute for the Deaf
Helps to improve life for deaf and hard of hearing people.
Bromley Local Offer
Support for children and young people with disabilities and special educational needs
Scope
A national charity who’s vision is a world where disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else.
More about physiotherapy
Children who come to physiotherapy have a range of needs and health conditions. Information from NHS Choices tells you a bit about more some of the conditions that our children may have.
Cerebral palsy
Muscular dystrophy
Childhood dyspraxia
Birth-to-five development timeline
Accessible breaks, activities and day trips
Advice leaflets from the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists
Choosing footwear for children