Community Physiotherapy Sefton

We are a team of physiotherapists and therapy assistants who work in the community across Sefton. We work with children from birth up to 19 years of age in a variety of settings including clinics, the child’s home, nursery, mainstream and special schools.

We work very closely with other health professionals such as Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Paediatricians.

There are several clinical pathways in our service.

Services we offer

Birth to 5 years (Pre-School) team

Our Pre-School team of physiotherapists and therapy assistants see babies and children from birth up to 5 years of age who have developmental delays or neurological difficulties. We offer appointments in clinics, nurseries, schools and the child’s home.

Within our North Sefton team, we assess and treat babies and young children with musculoskeletal conditions such as talipes equinovarus, torticollis and brachial plexus injuries.

Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (SPOT) team

Within our Pre-School service, we have our SPOT team. This is a multi-disciplinary service with involvement from physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and community paediatricians. Your child may be referred to the SPOT service if they are under three years old and there are concerns about their development in two or more areas of their development; for example, if your child is delayed with gross motor skills and also speech development then they would fit the criteria for this service.

The SPOT service offers a monthly drop-in session at Dobbies Soft Play Centre in Southport and Jakes Sensory World in Netherton. This provides an opportunity for parents to meet each other, for the children to play, and to discuss any concerns with a qualified therapist.

SPOT sessions are relaxed and supportive for both the child and the parents. The assessment and therapy appointments typically occur in a clinic setting, however, they can also be arranged in nursery, or at home, if this is more suitable.

Mainstream

Our Mainstream Physiotherapists and Therapy Assistants assess and treat children in a variety of settings such as clinics, schools, or a child’s home. This service is for children of school age who have neurological difficulties, movement and coordination difficulties, and mobility issues due to a congenital or acquired condition. Our Mainstream physiotherapists work with our Occupational Therapy colleagues to assess children for Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD). This service provides therapy in the form of exercise programmes, exercise groups, hydrotherapy sessions, advice on long-term management of the condition, and therapy equipment to support a child to stand, walk or be positioned safely and correctly.

Special Schools

Our team of physiotherapists and therapy assistants within our special schools in Sefton work very closely with the school staff ensuring the children have a combined therapeutic and educational experience during their school day.

Therapy staff offer exercise programmes, 24-hour positioning plans, and therapy equipment and provide advice and support to education staff regarding the child’s therapy needs. Our team of physiotherapists work closely with Occupational Therapists, Paediatricians, the school nurse, and Orthotists within the school environment.

Musculoskeletal

In North Sefton, only we offer a specialist musculoskeletal service to children from birth up to 18 years. Common conditions accepted for assessment and treatment in this clinic are growth-related conditions, such as Osgood Schlatter’s disease and Sever’s disease, bone and soft tissue injuries, and general muscle and joint aches and pains. Treatment may include getting a home exercise programme, education on self-management of the condition, and core stability, balance and strengthening programmes.

Respiratory

Our highly specialist respiratory team see children from birth up to 19 years old with neuro disability and respiratory symptoms. The children are assessed and treated in any community location which is most suitable for the child and family. Long-term strategies are put into place to manage these day-to-day respiratory symptoms and also help prevent recurrent hospital visits. The team works closely with the community multidisciplinary team, school staff and also the respiratory team within Alder Hey, to provide the best care for children and young people.

Meet the Team

Kathryn Cunliffe – Head of Service, Community Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
Helen Crosdale – Deputy to Head of Service
Bex Winnard – Deputy to Head of Service