Children’s Physiotherapy – Warrington

General introduction

The Community Children’s Physiotherapy Team support children, young people and their families with physical and developmental needs arising from neurological, developmental, orthopaedic and specific respiratory conditions.

We focus on maximising each child or young person’s physical abilities in everyday activities – at home, in education settings and within the wider community.

Our service aims to:

help children and young people achieve their maximal gross motor potential through specialist physiotherapy assessment, treatment and advice
assess and support parents whose children present with normal variants in walking development
provide assessment, treatment and advice for children with general developmental delay, with or without underlying pathology, where this affects gross motor development
deliver pre‑ and post‑surgery physiotherapy management and rehabilitation
provide assessment and advice for children with respiratory conditions
offer specialist assessment of equipment to support mobility and posture
work as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure a holistic approach
contribute to Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans and reviews for children and young people

How to access this service

Referrals

A referral to physiotherapy must be completed by a health professional.

The children’s physiotherapy referral form should be completed and sent by post or email using the details in the contact us section.

All referrals are reviewed when they arrive in the department. They are then triaged and placed on a waiting list. Families receive a letter confirming that the referral has been accepted.

An opt‑in letter will be sent once we are able to offer an appointment. Families must contact us within 10 working days to arrange this. If no contact is made, the referral will be closed and the referrer informed.

Appointment information

Appointments are offered Monday to Friday.

Usually, your child will receive a face-to-face appointment either in clinic, at home or in their school. However, if you require your child to be seen virtually, your therapist can arrange a virtual appointment for your child using our NHS attend anywhere virtual service.

These typically range from 60 to 90 minutes for initial assessments and 30 to 60 minutes for review appointments.

Children should attend clinic appointments with a parent or carer. To help reduce distractions, we kindly ask that siblings are not brought along where possible.

It would be beneficial for your child to wear comfortable clothing and supportive footwear so that your occupational therapist can complete a full assessment.

If your child has any glasses, equipment or splints they use please bring these with you.

We ask that if you know in advance that you are unable to make your appointment that you contact the children’s occupational therapy department.

Non-attendance to an appointment may result in your child being discharged from the children’s occupational therapy service.

If you have any information that you would like to discuss without your child present, you can contact us on the number provided in the 'Contact us' section and ask to speak to an occupational therapist.

Useful information