About our service
Our Children’s Physiotherapy Service works with children of all ages from 0-16 years old, (and 0-18 if in specialist education). We aim to support our children and young people to achieve their potential and encourage active participation in their daily life.
Our team is made up of Chartered Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy Assistants and we aim to provide quality, child centred care to manage physical conditions. We work independently across the Trust and also complete clinics alongside Paediatricians, Orthopaedic Surgeons and Orthotists.
We provide specialist care for a range of children and young people in Children’s Physiotherapy who may experience:
- Neuromuscular disorders, e.g. muscular dystrophy
- Musculoskeletal Problems, e.g. knee pain, back pain
- Acute injuries e.g. fractures, sports injuries, post-surgery rehabilitation
- Neurological conditions e.g. cerebral palsy, head injury
- Rheumatological conditions e.g. juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Congenital syndromes
- Delayed development
Children and young people who are registered with a GP practice in County Durham and Darlington (excluding Seaham, Murton and South Hetton) requiring support from a Physiotherapy Service.
How to access our services
Our service runs across County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust with clinics in Chester-Le-Street Community Hospital, Darlington Memorial Hospital, Bishop Auckland Hospital, Sedgefield Community Hospital, Easington Family Hub and Stanley Primary Care Centre. We also complete home visits and work in the Special Education Schools around our catchment area.
Our team is available Monday to Friday and there is an answerphone service for all other times. The service operates an open referral system so if you would like to refer your child or a child under your care into the service please use the referral form.
Orthotics service
Orthotics services supply and fit insoles, helmets, splints, footwear and braces.
Orthoses are used to help improve quality of life for patients who suffer with pain, to help keep service users mobile and independent and they can sometimes assist in preventing other treatments such as surgery. Orthoses can also help with posture alignment and reduce the risk of injury.
Patients are first assessed by a Physiotherapist who may then refer into our Orthotics Service. Each child who is referred will be invited to attend an appointment in one of the orthotics clinics (which are held once a week) to have measurements taken for the prescription. Patients are then later asked to come to clinic for their orthoses to be issued to ensure that they are correctly fitted.
You can refer into the Orthotics Service by downloading and competing a referral form.
Exercise videos
We have created some videos to help you and your child with exercise. If you have any questions please get in touch for more support.
Useful information
Our Physiotherapists' base treatment on an assessment of the child's needs and the formation of an individualised approach to physical management to maximise the physical potential in our service users. The team recognises the importance of working collaboratively with the child, parents and carers in order to maximise a child's physical ability and independence.
We work with:
- Parents and carers
- Paediatricians
- Consultants and Surgeons
- Teachers
- Health Visitors
- School Nurses
- GP's Social Workers
- Occupational Therapists
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Psychologist
- Orthotists
- Dieticians
Our therapists try their best to facilitate the needs of all children, parents and carers so may carry out their work in:
- Child's home
- Schools
- Nurseries
- Clinics
- Child Development Centres
- Children's Centres
- Hospitals
- Hospices
Local SEND Offers for Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council
- Physical Activity Guidelines for early years Physical activity for early years: birth to 5 years
- Physical Activity Guidelines for Children and Young People Physical activity for children and young people: 5 to 18 years
- Physical activity guidelines: disabled children and disabled young people UK Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines for disabled children and disabled young people: infographic