The NHS describe a physical disability as a limitation on a person’s physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina.

Physical disability may be present from birth or acquired later in life, it may remain the same throughout life or get worse over time. Some disabilities are hidden.

For a person to be offered protection under the Equality Act 2010, they must meet all three criteria.

Their disability must:

• be substantial
• be long-term
• affect day-to-day activities

Examples of physical disabilities:

• Dystrophies e.g. Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Brittle bones
• Cerebral palsy
• Genetic conditions e.g. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome TUBB4A
• Spina bifida and hydrocephalus
• Acquired brain injury from illness or injury e.g. brain tumour or road traffic accident

There are lots of ways you can try and support a child or young person with a physical disability.

Strategies

Some of these strategies include:

Assessment

• Check that the child or young person has an up to date assessment.
• Refer to relevant professionals if needed for further assessment and advice.
  
  

Adaptations

• Consider the adaptations needed to ensure that the child or young person can access learning with their peers as much as possible.
• Ensure that transition arrangements have been put in place prior to the child’s entry to class. This includes ensuring that the necessary adaptations are in place, such as:
  • Undertaking appropriate moving and manual handling training.
  • Use of support equipment such as work chairs, walkers, standing frames, hoists.
  • Ensuring that appropriate accessibility plans are in place, for example, a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan.
  • Undertaking appropriate care training and use of school’s hygiene suites.
  • Procuring and knowing how to use/maintain (where necessary) operated life-skills/curriculum equipment.
• Use adapted equipment to facilitate access to activities throughout the school day such as cutlery, crockery, scissors.
  
  

Development

• Maintain progress by having a handover with the child’s previous teacher so you have a clear understanding of their strengths, coping strategies and any particular areas of need.
• Consider those that also relate more broadly to their development or emotional well-being such as opportunities to develop confidence or developing and maintaining friendships.
• Keep a focus on promoting independence and resilience within planning and differentiation.
• Provide accessible ‘stretch’ opportunities.

Further Support

pdnet – a network for those supporting learners with physical disability

The role of the Physical Disabilities (PD) Team is to promote the successful inclusion and progress of children and young people (CYP) with a range of physical disabilities to achieve their personal best, working in partnership with settings, parents and other agencies. The Team offers an advisory service and work term time only.

Who do the Specialist Teacher PD Team support?

The PD Team work with CYP with or without an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) from Early Years up to the age of 25 if they are still in full-time education. The Specialist Teachers provide support in mainstream settings only and give advice and guidance for CYP who have a complex physical need impacting significantly on their gross or fine motor skills.

Examples of conditions where the PD team provide support:

• Cerebral Palsy
• Spina Bifida
• Muscular Dystrophies
• Spinal Trauma
• Acquired Brain Injury
• Functional Neurological Disorder
• Ehlers Danlos
• Mitochondrial Disease
• Osteogenesis imperfecta
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

How are children and young people referred to the PD Team?

Referral is through the Integrated SEND Team, SENCO, Setting or other professionals e.g. therapists. Referrals can be made with or without a formal diagnosis and should be sent by email to sts@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

What support does the PD Team provide?

Support from the PD Team may include:

• Explaining the nature of the physical disability and the implications of the condition
• Observing the CYP within the setting and speaking with them to collect and understand pupil voice
• Providing advice and strategies regarding access to the whole school curriculum so that CYP are able to achieve their full potential
• Identifying strategies that enable independence and empower children and young people
• Providing advice to ensure that CYP are able to access the site as independently and safely as possible
• Advising on appropriate equipment, materials and resources to support access and inclusion
• Completing assessments to determine if adaptations to the site are required
• Coordinating discussions with School Commissioning Projects Team regarding required adaptations/building works
• Advising on appropriate access arrangements for internal and external examinations
• Providing advice for High Needs Block Funding (HNBF) requests and/or as part of the needs assessment process for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
• Contributing to annual reviews of a CYP’s EHCP
• Advising on target setting for the CYP (at SEN Support or EHCP level)
• Monitoring the progress of CYP towards outcomes
• Providing advice to ensure that CYP with PD make a successful transition
• Advising on post-16 options including college courses and apprenticeships

Contact the PD Team

Email: sts@buckinghamshire.gov.uk 

Phone: 01494 475199

The team of Physiotherapists work with children and young people with or without an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC) from 0 to 19 years old.

Our clinic and virtual support are available for all children and young people with a Buckinghamshire GP. School support is available for those attending a Buckinghamshire early years or mainstream school setting.

Home equipment is provided for children with a Buckinghamshire address.

Who the service can support

The team support children, young people and their families.

Support is provided for children who have a delay in their gross motor skills due to neurodevelopmental or musculoskeletal difficulties.

How the service is accessed

Referrals for face to face assessments and for home equipment can be made by GP, educational setting, other health professionals or parents. You can download the referral form from the Bucks healthcare website.

How the service can help

• Assessment and provision of specialist equipment such as standing frames and walkers
• Support with problem solving manual handling concerns such as toileting and getting in/out of equipment.
• Advice/support with pain management and pacing
• Providing advice on how to adapt PE sessions.
• Advice on positioning of children in the classroom
• Transition back to school following surgery
• Rehabilitation following surgery
• Training for school staff, other professionals and parents
• Contribution to Annual Review, review meetings and multi-professional meetings
• Liaison with other professional services and agencies
• Liaison with parents/carers
• Support with home-school liaison
• Written reports as appropriate
• Telephone and email support

Contact children's physiotherapy

telephone: 01296 831 908
e-mail: bht.cyptherapies@nhs.net