Children's Physiotherapy (Paediatric Physiotherapy)

The Children’s Physiotherapy service (Paediatric Physiotherapy) sees babies, children and young people from 0 to 18, who are delayed in their development or affected by injury, illness or disability.  

We help to improve or restore movement, strength, function and independence. In addition to our specialist skills, we have additional expert knowledge and experience of child development, movement, childhood injuries and childhood disabilities. 

Children and young people are seen at the following sites: 

Who is it for?

We see children and young people with a variety of conditions including:

• Neuromuscular disorders e.g. Muscular Dystrophy
• Neurological conditions e.g. Cerebral Palsy, head injury, Spina Bifida
• Respiratory conditions e.g. Cystic Fibrosis
• Rheumatological conditions e.g. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
• Orthopaedic conditions e.g. Talipes, Perthes, Hip Dysplasia
• Musculoskeletal problems e.g. Torticollis, sprains, joint pain
• Congenital syndromes e.g. Down Syndrome, Pradar Willi Syndrome
• Developmental delay, which affects how your child moves

Can anyone use this service?

Your child can be referred by a consultant, GP, health visitor or another health professional they are known to.

Children aged between 10-15 years old who are experiencing difficulties with their muscles, bones or joints (musculoskeletal and orthopaedic problems) will be seen by the Paediatric MSK service. This service currently does not accept self-referrals; therefore referrals to the services will need to be made via the GP.

All other children and young people will be seen by the general paediatric physiotherapy service for which we accept self-referral from parents. Self referral can be made by contacting our service at either Princess of Wales on 01656 752237 or Ysbyty Cwm Cynon on 01443 715300 or you can email your concerns to us at CTT_PaedPhysio_Referral@wales.nhs.uk.

What to expect

Dependent on the information we receive we may contact you directly to discuss your concerns so we can best guide our response and if appropriate, provide you with information and strategies to support your child whilst awaiting an appointment. 

Your child could be offered an assessment appointment at one of our children’s centres (as above). 

It is important that a person with parental responsibility accompanies the child to this appointment so that informed consent can be gained for assessment and treatment. It is important from the outset that we work together with you to help maximise your child’s physical abilities and independence.  

During the assessment we look at any difficulties your child is having with their movement and how this is impacting on their day-to-day activities. For example, how they move around at home or in school or being able to take part in leisure activities. 

Once we have completed our assessment, we will discuss the results and treatment plan with you. 

We will see your child as often as we think is necessary, based on the findings from their assessment. 

We normally treat children in a clinic setting, but there might be occasions where we will carry out treatment in school or at home.  

Following assessment, the plan might include:  

• Discharge with advice for you to continue with your child at home 
• Activities to work on at home for example, strengthening activities, developmental activities 
• A treatment block delivered by a physiotherapist or one of our Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioners  
• Referrals to other services if we feel different expert advice would be beneficial to you and your child, for example, Paediatricians or Occupational Therapists 

You can contact us at:

Find more information and useful links below:

• Information for Parents and Carers
• Disability Sport Wales