{"id":955,"date":"2021-03-26T11:47:28","date_gmt":"2021-03-26T11:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.devon.gov.uk\/educationandfamilies\/home\/send-local-offer\/about-send-and-the-local-offer\/conditions\/physical-impairments\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T10:31:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T09:31:47","slug":"physical-impairments","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/send-local-offer\/types-of-send\/sensory-and-or-physical-needs\/physical-impairments\/","title":{"rendered":"Physical disabilities and difficulties"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A physical disability is a &#8216;limitation on a person&#8217;s physical functioning, mobility, dexterity, or stamina.&#8217; It has a &#8216;substantial&#8217; and &#8216;long-term&#8217; negative effect on a person&#8217;s ability to do daily activities. <\/p>\n<cite>Equality Act, 2010<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Physical disabilities or difficulties can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>be mild or severe<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>affect a child or young person&#8217;s development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>be hidden.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Support for children with physical difficulties or disabilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CFHD website provides <a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/health-topic\/physical-disability\/\" rel=\"noopener\">information and advice on physical disabilities<\/a> that families may find useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CFHD Occupational Therapy telephone advice line<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CFHD have launched an Occupational Therapy telephone advice line, where you can speak directly to a Children\u2019s Occupational Therapist. The advice line is available Tuesdays 1.30 &#8211; 4.00 pm and Fridays 9.30 am &#8211; 12.00 pm on <a href=\"tel:03332341123\" data-type=\"tel\" data-id=\"tel:03332341123\">03332 341123<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The advice line can be called by young people themselves, family members or carers, education staff, social care staff, voluntary organisations or other health professionals. <strong>No referrals are required and personal information will not be taken or recorded.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The phone line provides access to advice and support to develop everyday skills and gain independence in daily activities, such as dressing, toileting skills, using cutlery and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Occupational therapy &#8211; South Devon and Torbay<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children and Family Health Devon\u2019s (CFHD) <a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/what-do-you-need-help-with-physical-disability\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Occupational Therapy (OT)<\/a> Team provides advice, assessment, intervention and support for children who have a range of disabilities, disorders and additional needs that prevent them from carrying out the activities of everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Please note: Children\u2019s Physiotherapy covers South Devon and Torbay only<\/strong>, <strong>and all physio referrals will need to be completed and sent to CFHD by a healthcare professional.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"equipment-and-adaptations\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Equipment and adaptations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/millbrookhealthcare.co.uk\/about\/our-locations\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Devon Independent Living Integrated Service (DILIS)<\/a> <\/strong>includes delivery and installation, servicing and maintenance, and collection of equipment that has been ordered by a prescriber, GP, nurse, therapist or social services provider. DILIS also make adaptations to people\u2019s homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Orthotics, prosthetics, wheelchairs and special seating<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Exeter Mobility Centre<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.royaldevon.nhs.uk\/our-sites\/exeter-mobility-centre\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Exeter Mobility Centre<\/a> provide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.royaldevon.nhs.uk\/services\/mobility-and-equipment-services\/exeter-mobility-centre\/wheelchairs\/\" rel=\"noopener\">wheelchair<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.royaldevon.nhs.uk\/services\/orthotics\/\" rel=\"noopener\">orthotic<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.royaldevon.nhs.uk\/services\/mobility-and-equipment-services\/exeter-mobility-centre\/prosthetics\/\" rel=\"noopener\">prosthetic<\/a> services for both adults and children. Services include the assessment of patients with a variety of mobility needs, as well as the prescription of equipment such as wheelchairs, artificial limbs, insoles, specialist footwear, braces and splints to help maximise our service users\u2019 mobility and independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The wheelchair service assesses you for the provision of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>wheelchairs and children\u2019s buggies if you have long-term mobility problems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pressure care cushions for wheelchairs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>equipment to provide postural support in wheelchairs or buggies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AJM Healthcare<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ajmhealthcare.com\/local-service-centres\/plymouth\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">AJM Healthcare<\/a> provides assessments for people with mobility and other postural problems, supplying wheelchairs, pressure care cushions and accessories for wheelchairs in Plymouth, the South Hams and West Devon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vranch House specialist wheelchair service<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vranchhouse.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Vranch House<\/a>&nbsp;provides the specialist wheelchair service for children assessed by a community therapist as requiring specialist provision that cannot be provided by mainstream service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alternative and augmented communication (AAC)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vranch House provides an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vranchhouse.com\/clinical-services\/speech-language\" rel=\"noopener\">AAC intervention service<\/a>. This service provides specialist speech and language therapist input to help people use high-tech AAC systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The service sees children aged 0-18 from Exeter, East, Mid, North and South Devon. Appointments may be virtual, in the child&#8217;s school or in one of their clinic spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To access this service you need to submit a <a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/requesting-help-from-cfhd\/\" rel=\"noopener\">request for help from Children and Family Health Devon<\/a>, using their referral forms. Requests can be made by parents and carers, or young people themselves if they are 16+, as well as by some practitioners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the equipment or mobility aid needed children and young people may need a referral from a health care professional, for example a GP or physiotherapist. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Disabled Facilities Grants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You could get a grant from your council if you\u2019re disabled and need to make changes to your home. In Devon these grants are provided by your local District, Borough or City Council. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/send-local-offer\/money\/disabled-facilities-grants\/\">Find out more about Disabled Facilities Grants.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Support in school<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children and young people with physical needs are supported in schools by their teachers and special educational needs coordinators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Physical Difficulties Team<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Support may also be available, either in education settings or in the homes from the <a class=\"wpel-icon-right\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow external noopener noreferrer\">Physical Difficulties Team<\/a>. Help on offer ranges from advice on how pupils can safely take part in PE, or how to support them to access exams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SEN\/ICT<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/send-it\/\">SEN\/ICT<\/a> support is available to help pupils access and use Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to enhance learning for children and young people with sensory, physical, significant learning or communication and interaction difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Social care support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children\u2019s Social Care provides a range of services and support which are accessible to children and their families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Find out more about the types of support available, how to request an assessment, short breaks, and Parent Carer Needs Assessments in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/send-local-offer\/support-for-parents\/social-care-support\/\">social care support section<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Financial help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Financial help may be available for children and young people with physical disabilities, and their families. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/send-local-offer\/money\/\">financial support<\/a> section has lots of information you may find useful, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/send-local-offer\/money\/benefits-and-allowances\/\">benefits and allowances<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/send-local-offer\/money\/other-financial-support\/\">grants and other charitable support<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/send-local-offer\/money\/personal-budgets\/\">personal budgets and direct payments<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A physical disability is a &#8216;limitation on a person&#8217;s physical functioning, mobility, dexterity, or stamina.&#8217; It has a &#8216;substantial&#8217; and &#8216;long-term&#8217; negative effect on a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":748,"featured_media":0,"parent":20211,"menu_order":16,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-955","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-08-26 11:23:10","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/748"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=955"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/955\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75167,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/955\/revisions\/75167"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}