Physiotherapy for Children (Brighton and Hove Children and Families)

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists are specially trained to help children with physical disabilities, difficulties with their motor development and if they have an injury.

Physiotherapists help with children’s movement skills with the aim of improving their independence and their body’s function. 

In Brighton & Hove there are two physiotherapy services working with children and young people in the city.

This web page is about the service based at Seaside View Child Development Centre. The other service is based at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and provides in-patient care, as well as out-patient management of respiratory, musculo-skeletal and rheumatological conditions.

Who can use the physiotherapy service?

At the Seaside View Child Development Centre the physiotherapists treat children with a wide range of conditions including:

• Developmental delay
• Neurological or neuromuscular disorders e.g. Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy
• Congenital syndromes and metabolic diseases e.g. Down syndrome, Rett Syndrome
• Co-ordination difficulties

How is the children's physiotherapy service delivered?

The Physiotherapist will spend some time finding out about your child’s skills and needs. Intervention may include: a personalised treatment programme to be carried out with parents/carers/educational setting, advice and strategies, provision of orthotics (foot supports or shoe insoles) and other equipment, referral to other services. Physiotherapists may work with a child individually or in a group, or they may help the child by supporting others such as the child’s parent/carer or education staff.

We recognise the importance of working in partnership with children’s parents and carers to maximise a child’s physical abilities and independence.