Physiotherapy (community)

As well as individual physiotherapy your child maybe referred to attend a therapy group. These groups run at Sunshine House, Mary Sheridan Centre or at other community sites. More information about our groups can be provided by your child’s physiotherapist.

• After Schools group
• Fizzibabes group
• Neonatal group
• Cruisers and Climbers group

Cerebral palsy integrated pathway South East (CPIPSE) is a standardised musculoskeletal examination of the spine and lower limbs by physiotherapists for all children with cerebral palsy aged between 2 and 16.

If your child has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, they will have a formal assessment to measure their ranges and muscle length. This assessment will detect early changes in lower limb joints and muscles and may help problems developing in the future. All children receive regular X-rays of their hips based on their age and severity of their cerebral palsy. The results of this assessment will be discussed with you and will be entered onto a national database. 

The following information sheet will give you some more information about your child’s CPIPSE assessment (PDF). 

Your child’s physiotherapist may recommend therapeutic equipment to support your child’s development and posture to enable function and participation at home, in the community, nursery or school.

Equipment commonly prescribed by your community physiotherapist are:

• standing frames
• sleep systems
• walkers
• seating systems at school/nursery only (home seating is provided by social services occupational therapists).

The physiotherapist will discuss the suitability of equipment with you and apply for funding. Once the equipment has been approved, ordered and delivered, your physiotherapist will arrange a time to set this up and show you how to use this. Your physiotherapist will check the fit and suitability of the equipment at least every 6 months. However, if you have concerns about the equipment, please stop using it and contact your physiotherapist as soon as possible on 020 3049 8181. If your child is no longer using the equipment they have been prescribed, please contact your physiotherapist who will discuss this with you and as appropriate arrange for replacement or collection of the equipment.

Wheelchairs are provided by Wheelchair Services. Please contact them if you have any concerns about your child’s wheelchair.

Seating and bathing equipment for home use are supplied by Lambeth Social Services or Southwark Social Services.

The community physiotherapy team organises an annual sports camp, typically run during the summer holidays, for children who are actively receiving physiotherapy.

The physiotherapy team link up with local community sports clubs who provide inclusive sports, to offer taster sessions of inclusive sports across Southwark and Lambeth. This is organised with support from the Evelina London Children’s Charity, which means we are able to offer these sessions to our children free of charge.  

The aim of the taster sessions are to promote, encourage and empower young people to participate in community sports and keep active. The week is typically aimed at children over the age of 5 and caters for all levels of disabilities. Each year, we aim to showcase different sports.

Feedback about the sports camp

We have had fantastic feedback from our families, as well as the local sports clubs:

“...(my child) said it made them feel really normal and they made new friends” (parent, 2021)

"Although (my child) didn’t really understand the rules and didn’t participate in quite the same way as others, (my child) loved the football day and asked me if I would drive him to football the following week” (parent, 2021)

“We enjoyed all the sports. Thank you all” (parent, 2021)

“Sports was amazing, (my child) enjoyed all activities” (parent, 2021)

“Great communication, especially since one activity was affected by COVID” (parent, 2021)

“I’m really grateful for the sessions you gave (my child), (they) loved it so much” (parent, 2021)

“(my child) had a great time, I hope it will be repeated” (parent, 2021)

We value our connections with the local clubs across Southwark and Lambeth, some of which you will find in the locals offers for each borough. 

Please speak to your treating therapist if this is something you and your child would like to participate in.

Our team of specialist physiotherapists work very closely with the orthotics team. During your child’s assessment and treatment, they will consider whether your child may benefit from an orthotic prescription. We offer joint clinics with our orthotics colleagues to achieve the best outcome for your child.

What is the orthotics service?

Orthotics is a specialty within the medical field concerned with the design, manufacture and application of externally applied devices onto the body (formally termed as ‘orthoses’ but sometimes called ‘splints’ or ‘braces’). These are used to modify the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal systems and can aid movement and relieve pain or discomfort. Some examples of orthotics would be insoles, ankle foot orthoses (AFOs), knee ankle foot orthoses (KAFOs), helmets and gaiters. 

Our senior physiotherapists work alongside a range of other medical professionals and specialist teams to assess and monitor children at high risk of movement difficulties, or those with emerging or confirmed conditions.

These clinics are a ‘one stop shop’ bringing together community professionals and your family in one place to help diagnose your child and support the management their condition.