What is physiotherapy?
The children’s physiotherapy team provides services for children and young people with symptoms and conditions which limit their physical movement, abilities, development and function.
When your child is referred into our team, we will review the information and identify which clinic is most appropriate. You will be contacted by the admin hub to arrange an appointment. At the appointment a full assessment will be completed with a qualified physiotherapist.
As a team, we run three different assessment clinics:
- Musculoskeletal clinics are for children between 5 - 16 years old, who may be experiencing an injury, after sustaining a fracture or for unexplained pain relating to movement or activity.
- Children’s assessment and treatment clinic (CAT clinic) is for children of any age with a gross motor developmental delay.
- Joint assessment / community input is for children between 0-18 years who may have a more complex diagnosis or physiotherapy needs and are more likely to require input in home and school settings. Your initial assessment will be completed by the multi-therapy team based at Ham.
Once you have had your assessment, it is likely that your physiotherapist will advise you on what exercises or activities you can do to help support your child. You may also be referred into one of our treatment groups.
We offer a selection of multi-therapy and physiotherapy lead groups for children of all ages, as well as aquatic therapy sessions based at Teddington Pool. Your allocated physiotherapist will be able to give you more information about these groups.
We also run three orthotics clinics per month with the orthotics team based in Queen Mary's Hospital and quarterly clinic with an orthopaedic surgeon at St George's Hospital.
Where we do it:
We are based in Ham Clinic, alongside our Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Community Paediatrician colleagues. However, we work from a variety of settings in and around the Richmond borough.
Musculoskeletal clinics are held at Ham Clinic, Teddington Memorial Hospital and Centre House. Specialist multi-therapy clinics are run with our orthotics and orthopaedics colleagues in Queen Mary’s Hospital.
We provide the physiotherapy input at Strathmore and Clarendon schools, the boroughs specialist education settings. There are also situations, where we go to a child’s school or nursery to assess or treat, and provide support to the wider educational team that work with the child.
The Physiotherapy team service base is Ham Clinic.
Address:
Ham Clinic
Ashburnham Road
Ham
Surrey
TW10 7NF
Telephone Number : 020 8891 8150
General enquiries/administration hub: 020 8891 8195
Clinics operate during office hours and there is an answer phone to leave a message. Our physiotherapists work across different clinics and settings in Richmond on different days. Please bear this in mind when leaving messages.
Staff will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible. However due to day to day commitments and some staff working part time it may not be possible to get back to you immediately. Every effort is made to get back to you within 48 hours.
Our team covers the following service areas:
Children assessment and treatment clinics
Children are seen at Ham clinic for physiotherapy assessment and treatment sessions. Clinics are held throughout the week by our team of physiotherapists.
Please contact the admin hub on 020 8891 8195 for further information.
School age and pre-school children
Our team of therapists work across a variety of settings, including schools, nurseries and clinics to provide physiotherapy interventions for children aged between 0-18. We work closely with parents and educational staff to feel supported and confident to implement physiotherapy programmes into day to day activities, as well as offering more intensive blocks of therapy sessions to address a specific clinical need.
Special schools
We provide physiotherapy input at Strathmore and Clarendon school sites, delivering group and individual input to children and young people and training for school staff.
Please contact Sasha Lewis at sasha.lewis1@nhs.net for further information.
Musculoskeletal service
We offer musculoskeletal assessment and treatment sessions for children aged 5-16 over 3 locations Centre House (Sheen Lane), Teddington Memorial Hospital and Ham Clinic. In these clinics we use a ‘Ring and rebook system’ which will be explained to you by your treating therapist. Please call our main department line number on 0208 891 8150 to book in follow up appointments. Please leave a message if you are unable to get through and we will endeavour to get back to you within 1-2 working days. Please discuss with your treating physiotherapist if you are unable to use this booking system and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
Please contact Jenna Cunningham at jennacunningham@nhs.net for further information.
Aquatic therapy (formerly known as hydrotherapy)
We are able to offer physiotherapy lead aquatic therapy at Teddington Pool. This can be in the form of group or 1:1 sessions.Referrals can be made to this service by your named physiotherapist. There are also opportunities for families to access the specialist hydrotherapy pool during public sessions.
Please contact Jessica Brown at jessica.brown88@nhs.net for further info.
Groups
We offer a selection of both physiotherapy and multidisciplinary (MDT) groups, including Little Stars and Sunbeams (pre-school MDT group), Motor Heroes (MDT group for children between 4 and 8 with co-ordination difficulties) and Adolescent and Children’s Exercise group - ACE group (physiotherapy lead strength and conditioning class for children ages 8-16). Referrals can be made into appropriate groups by your named physiotherapist.
Please contact Christian Lacsina at christian.lacsina@nhs.net for more information.
Orthotics clinic
This is a joint clinic with our orthotic colleagues at Queen Mary’s hospital, where children can be assessed for the use of orthotic appliances such as insoles, ankle foot orthosis, spinal jackets and more. Referrals can be made to this clinic by your named physiotherapist.
Please contact Jessica Brown at jessica.brown88@nhs.netor further info.
Orthopaedics clinic
We organise a quarterly joint clinic with Miss Gelfer (paediatric orthopaedic consultant) at St George's Hospital.
Please contact Sasha Lewis at sasha.lewis1@nhs.net for further information.
Joint assessment
Families can come and meet the team for the first time in a joint assessment. We offer multidisciplinary assessment clinics at Ham Clinic which are delivered by the paediatrician, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and speech and language therapist as necessary.
Please contact Sasha Lewis at sasha.lewis1@nhs.net for further information.
Educational and health care plans (EHCP)
As a team we can contribute to EHCP’s for children known to our team. This process can be discussed with your named physiotherapist as required. For children with an existing EHC Plan, outline recommendations are delivered within schools if appropriate.
Please contact Sally Jackson sally.jackson16@nhs.net for further information.
Students and observation opportunities
We offer student placements for those in the second and third year physiotherapy students. We can offer observation opportunities for students that are interested in learning more about becoming a Paediatric physiotherapist and are currently doing their A-Levels. We are able to offer a 2 day observational placement.
Please contact Chloe Dooley at chloe.dooley1@nhs.net for further information.
Referrals will only be accepted for children and young people with a Richmond GP and consent is obtained from parent or main caregiver and their primary needs are health related.
However, for children and young people with an EHC plan, provision that is related to supporting their special educational needs and therefore needs to be delivered in school, can only be seen if they have a Richmond or Kingston address.
Please return the referral to:
Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Children’s Therapy Services Admin Hub
Teddington Health and Social Care Centre
18 Queens Road
Teddington, TW11 0LR
Telephone:
020 8891 8195
Alternatively, referrals can be made by email to: HRCH.Childrens-Therapies@nhs.net - if sent from another 'nhs.net' account.
Non-attendance policy
To minimise the impact of missed appointments, which increase waiting times for other, we have a strict non-attendance policy:
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Initial appointments: If you do not attend your booked initial appointment, without contacting the service beforehand, you will be discharged immediately.
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Follow-up: If you do not attend your follow up appointment, without contacting the service beforehand, you will be given 10 days to contact the department before being discharged.
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Groups: If you do not attend two consecutive sessions, without contacting the service beforehand, the remaining group appointments will be cancelled and you will be referred back to your therapist.
GoNoodle
The GoNoodle website has lots of free movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts.
Change4Life
The NHS Change4Life pages have lots of ideas for accessible activities and ways of keeping children and young people active by choosing activities your child is interested in and adapting them to suit their abilities.
WheelPower Adaptive Yoga
Yoga is a safe and effective way to increase strength, flexibility and your balance that can lead to improvements in both your physical and mental wellbeing.
Cosmic Kids Yoga
YouTube channel packed with yoga, mindfulness and relaxation videos, designed specially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world.
Disney 10 Minute Shakeups
Ten minute activities based on Disney films that count towards a child’s 60 active minutes per day.
Super Movers
Videos which help children move while they learn. They support curriculum subjects, including maths and English.
#ThisIsPE
Videos delivered by teachers focussing on the PE curriculum which are accessible on YouTube.
Fitness Blender
Videos featuring a range of exercises and workouts. You can choose exercises by: degree of difficulty, type, gender and whether equipment is needed or not.
Starting primary school is an important transition for children and young people with SEND and their families. Our transition pathway, which describes our role in the process is here:
Starting secondary school and leaving school to progress to education, training or employment at 16 or 18 are important transition points for children and young people with SEND and their families. Achieving for Children provides help and support with the process of Preparing for Adulthood as part of their local offer. You can find out more here:
If your child has an EHCP their link therapist will work with school staff to support them through these points of transition. Our transition pathways, which describe our role in the process are here:
Post 16 and 18 mainstream schools
Post 16 and 18 specialist settings:
Action for Kids. Acton for kids is a charity that helps young people with physical and learning disabilities across the country find greater levels of independence and opportunity through the provision of mobility aids, employability training and family support.
Always look on the Bright Side of Life Charitable Trust. Grants to make children smile. The trust awards one off grants to children in need for activities/ items (not household)/trips that children’s families are unable to afford. The child must be disadvantaged due to financial circumstances, disability/ill health or other category.
Boparan Charitable Trust. The Boparan Charitable Trust aims to help children and young people up to the age of 18, throughout the UK, who are disadvantaged either through poverty, disability or life-limiting conditions.
Bruce Wake Charitable Trust. Equipment for leisure/activities for physically disabled wheelchair users. Applications on behalf of individuals will only be accepted through a charitable organisation or equivalent recognised body.
Cash for Kids. Cash for Kids is Bauer Radio’s network of local charities, which operate across 22 areas around the UK. Our mission is to respond to the needs of children in our communities, and we aspire to enable all children to live life to the full and achieve their individual potential.
Cauldwell Children. Offers a range of support to children with disabilities including family support, short breaks equipment, treatment and therapies. You can apply direct and the process is straightforward.
Children Today. Children today encourage applicants, usually parents, to come to them for funding and other services on a regular basis as their child’s needs change. Hopefully, this will continue as they grow and develop, gaining more independence and an improving quality of life that is also shared by all those around them. They will continue receiving support until the child reaches the age of 25 years.
Cerebra. Cerebra is a unique national charity that strives to improve the lives of children with neurological conditions, through research, information and direct, on-going support.
Disability Grants. Disability Grants is a web resource which has been set up for people with disabilities and for parents/carers of disabled people. There is a wealth of information on this site to help you find suitable funding, including blogs and forums to help you get a heads up from others who have gone through this process.
Dreams Come True. Dreams Come True is a UK children’s charity. Their mission is to enrich the lives of children and young people with serious and life-limiting conditions across the country by making their dreams come true. Over the last 25 years they have fulfilled dreams for more than 5,000 children and young people as well as their friends, family and carers.
Florence Nightingale Aid in Sickness Trust. The Florence Nightingale Aid in Sickness Trust provides life enhancing grants to help people of all ages in need who are ill, convalescent or disabled.
Family Fund. Will look at any grant request that relates to the needs of a disabled or seriously ill child, young person and their family. If you are raising a disabled or seriously ill child, the family fund may be able to help with a grant for household items, equipment, sensory toys, a family break or something to help with college for 16/17 year olds. You can apply as a parent carer, or agencies can apply on their behalf.
Happy Days Children's Charity. The charity supports families with children aged 3-17 who have learning difficulties, physical or mental disabilities, acute, chronic or life limiting illnesses, been abused or neglected, witnessed domestic violence, been bereaved or act as carers for a parent or a sibling. Eligible applicants can apply for the costs of the following activities: Day trips/theatre trips/theatre workshops and group activity holidays.
Just 4 Children. Just 4 Children is passionate about the relief of sickness and prevention of health of children in the UK and Ireland by providing and assisting in the provision of grants to enable them to obtain medical treatment, therapies, living environments, equipment and holidays which would not otherwise be available to them.
Local Funders. There are a number of local funders such as Richmond Parish Lands Charity, Hampton Fuel Allotments and Barnes Workhouse Fund that offer grants to individuals and families particularly in relation to fuel grants, white goods and other household equipment and education. For a full list of the local funders
Newlife Charity. Newlife is the UK's largest charity funder of children's specialist disability equipment. We also run the UK's only national emergency equipment service, for terminally ill children. Newlife Nurses support thousands of families, we campaign for policy change and we fund targeted medical research, to improve child health.
The Family Holiday Association (FHA). Supports families on a low income, that have not been on holiday for the past four years and have at least one child between three and 18 years of age can obtain financial support for a break during 2016 and 2017. The FHA can only accept applications from referring agents (such as a teacher, social worker or health visitor, etc) and not directly from families. The website also has a great resource page which lists other charities and trusts that can support holidays and short breaks
The Henry Smith Charity (Richmond). People experiencing hardship or distress who live in Richmond, Ham, Petersham or Kew. Applications in writing from referring bodies such as citizen advice and social services.
Tree of Hope. Tree of hope is the crowdfunding charity that helps children and young people with a disability or illness by supporting their families to raise the money they need to pay for specialist care that is not freely available through the UK healthcare system.
Turn2us. A fantastic website that offers help and information for anyone experiencing financial hardship or debt problems, or who is looking for funding to support an individual need within the family such as a short break. It has a grant and benefits search engine which can be tailored to meet your requirements including locality, and a phone helpline that is free to call and gives you access to trained staff who can talk you through your options. The service is available to individuals and organisations acting on their behalf.
Whizz-Kidz. This charity provide equipment, support and life skills for disabled children. Creating independence to live a life of freedom at home, at school and at play and the independence to be themselves.
Skylarks
Visit the website for a list of all the events, activities, talks, workshops, clinic & therapies they have coming up.
Reflections and Redlees Stay and Play Sessions
Drop in stay and play sessions in Feltham and Isleworth for children and young people with special needs and their families. There is a relaxing white room, a ball pool, soft play area and garden for you to enjoy. Sessions run weekly, Sundays and throughout the school holidays.
Richmond Parent Carer Forum (PCF)
Richmond PCF is offering virtual drop in sessions for parents of children 0-5 years who are concerned about their child’s progress and would like support from other parents.
Tuesdays 10.30-11.30am
- 27 April 2021
- 11 May 2021
- 1 June 2021
Wednesdays 10.30-11.30am
- 31 March 2021
- 28 April 2021
- 19 May 2021
- Whizz Kids - provide equipment, support and life skills for disabled children.
- Companion Cycling in Bushy Park – Based in bushy park this group run inclusive cycling session for all ages and levels of ability
- Riding for the Disabled Association – A national group for inclusive horse riding
- Park Lane stables (RDA) - Their horses and ponies provide invaluable therapy, achievement and enjoyment to people with disabilities in and around London
- Specialist swimming teachers – Teddington pool are able to offer both accesses to public sessions in for families use their hydrotherapy pool, as well as 1:1 swimming lessons for children with additional needs.
- Wheelchair basketball – Richmond’s well established and successful wheelchair basketball team - The Knights
- RISE – hosting regular inclusive sporting events in the Richmond area for children to come along and try a new sport, as well as running a variety of inclusive sports groups from football, yoga, golf, and dancing
- British Paralympic Association – This website provides details about a huge variety of national inclusive sports opportunities.
- CP Sport – a national charity that promotes and supports sporting opportunities for people with cerebral palsy
- English Federation of Disability Sport
- Phyz Swimming is a support group that allows parents/carers to use the Hydrotherapy Pool at Teddington Pool
Small Steps. Charity based in Richmond that run conductive education group classes for pre-school children with physical disabilities.
Skylarks. An independent Richmond-upon-Thames based charity that provides activities and therapies for children with disabilities and additional needs. They also support and provide therapies, courses and information for their whole families.
This website has free resources to help families get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and/or disability (SEND).
Contact a Family. A national charity working to provide information, advice and support to families. They run events for families and children with disabilities, advise on legal or financial support and have a useful database of specific condition support groups.
Special Kids in the UK. Special Kids in the UK aim to bring families together for friendship, to share information and to support one another via their online forums and regular events throughout the country.
The organisations offer (mostly free) independent advice and support on all SEND matters including the Assessment, Education, Health and Care Planning processes.
Information on local services and support available for families including children and young people aged 0 - 25 years with special educational needs or disabilities.
Portage is a home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with SEND and their families. Portage aims to:
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Work with families to help them develop a quality of life and experience, for themselves and their young children, in which they can learn together, play together, participate and be included in their community in their own right.
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Play a part in minimising the disabling barriers that confront young children and their families.
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Support the national and local development of inclusive services for children.
Achieving for Children is a social enterprise company created by the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames to provide their children’s services. On 1 August 2017, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead became a co-owner of AfC and they now deliver children’s services across all three boroughs.
Children’s Centres aim to provide children and their families with the best start in life. There are six centres around the borough of Richmond.
https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/community-information/information-and-advice/children-centres
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK's 56,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers.
Association Of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP) is a recognized Professional Network of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
There are standard specialised equipment that will be assessed and provided for by your local NHS including: specialised seating, specialised standing equipment, specialised walking aids, specialised orthotics and specialised sleep systems. Speak to your community therapist directly regarding if your child needs this type of assessment.
Special adaptations to your home and home seating equipment for 5 y/o’s and above are provided by The Social Services OT Service (AfC Info website - Kingston and Richmond :: Local Offer / Information And Advice / Social Care / Disabled Children's Team)
Non-standard specialised equipment is not provided by the NHS and links to providers who may be able to assist your family are found here. Please note that this list is not exclusive and the NHS does not recommend any particular company, but have listed some options here to help families with searching for potential options.
- Car Seats
- In Car Safety Centre- Milton Keynes MK6 Children's Car Seats in Milton Keynes - In Car Safety Centre
- Queen Elizabeth Foundation- Carlshalton SM5 Children's Car Seats in Milton Keynes - In Car Safety Centre
- Mobility Vehicles (new, used and rented options)
- McElmeel Mobility Services Ltd Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles from McElmeel’s Northern Ireland (mobility-services.com)
- Allied Mobility Mobility Vehicles - Allied Mobility
- Gowrings Versa Mobility Wheelchair Accessible & Adapted Vehicle Hire | GowringsVersa Mobility
- WAVSGB Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles for Sale - Approved UK Dealer (wavsgb.com)
- Motability Scheme (scheme to help to lease a vehicle) Help if you have a disabled child: Motability scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Air Travel
- Queen Elizabeth Foundation Accessible Aviation Accessible Aviation - QEF
- UK Civil Aviation Authority (information on rights and how to assess special assistance) Passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)
- Transport support services for disabled people: Planes - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Train Travel
- Information on UK Transport Services for People with Disabilities Transport support services for disabled people: Trains - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Information on Mobility Grant Programmes
- Julie Hale - Divisional Manager
- Claire Schneider- Clinical Service Manager for Children’s Therapies
- Julie Knox - Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist and Team Lead. Tel: 020 8891 8160
- Sally Jackson - Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist. Tel: 020 8891 8159
- Jenna Cunningham - Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist. Tel: 020 8891 8156
- Sasha Lewis - Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist. Tel: 020 8891 8177
- Jess Brown - Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist. Tel: 020 8891 8154
- Tina Houlton – Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist. Tel: 020 8891 8150
- Chloe Dooley - Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist. Tel: 020 8891 8150
- George Mitchell - Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist. Tel: 020 8891 8150
- Christian Lacsina - Paediatric Multi Therapy Assistant. Tel: 020 8891 8150
All about us
Learn more about our therapists below.
See where we work:
We've made a short video about visiting Ham Clinic, which you can watch with your child.
Contact Information
Address:
Ham Clinic
Ashburnham Road
Ham
Surrey
TW10 7NF
Telephone Number:
020 8891 8150
General enquiries/administration hub:
020 8891 8195