{"id":31571,"date":"2025-03-13T12:47:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T12:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/?page_id=31571"},"modified":"2026-01-21T15:18:44","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T15:18:44","slug":"physical-needs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/ordinarily-available-inclusive-provision\/targeted\/sensory-and-physical-needs\/physical-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Physical needs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"content-heading-quote clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-6970ee4fec045\"><div class=\"hq-outer\"><h2><span class=\"hq-heading\">What are physical needs?<\/span><span class=\"hq-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"a\" viewBox=\"0 0 100 100\"><defs><style>.b{fill:none;stroke:#242a5f;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-miterlimit:10;stroke-width:4px;}.c{fill:#242a5f;}<\/style><\/defs><path class=\"b\" d=\"M74.43,1.95s2.1,26.63-23.86,43.38c-27.08,17.47-22.16,52.75-22.16,52.75\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M54.65,83.31s16.82-24.99,37.97,0c0,0-18.26,24.27-37.97,0Z\"><\/path><line class=\"b\" x1=\"51.41\" y1=\"65.29\" x2=\"57.51\" y2=\"71.38\"><\/line><line class=\"b\" x1=\"95.45\" y1=\"65.29\" x2=\"89.35\" y2=\"71.38\"><\/line><line class=\"b\" x1=\"73.77\" y1=\"56.66\" x2=\"73.51\" y2=\"65.29\"><\/line><circle class=\"c\" cx=\"73.64\" cy=\"79.05\" r=\"6.85\"><\/circle><path class=\"b\" d=\"M7.33,19.16s24.51-7.11,19.46,15.53c0,0-1.98,7.04-6.73,8.97-3.64,1.48-1.29,7.84-1.29,7.84,0,0,1.44,6.42-3.33,7.7s-8.29-1.97-7.75-6.71\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M30.15,13.75s9.89,1.2,6.52,13.22\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M36.19,7.5s15.09,4.75,7.25,23.18\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M7.18,33.81s3.78-.44,4.28,2.52c.61,3.61-.31,4.44-3.69,5.46\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span><\/h2><div class=\"hq-intro\"><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 person&#8217;s ability to do daily activities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"content-boxes clearfix\" id=\"block_acf-block-6970ee4fec07e\"><ul class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x small-up-1 medium-up-1 large-up-1\"><li class=\"cell box-contents\"><div class=\"box-contents-inner has-svg\"><div class=\"box-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#222959;stroke-width:0}<\/style><\/defs><g id=\"Group_7793\"><path id=\"Path_2\" fill=\"#f0d85d\" stroke-width=\"0\" d=\"M17.57 2.73h24.27l16.17 16.5v23.01L41.84 60H18.41L1.48 42.24V19.23l16.09-16.5Z\"><\/path><g id=\"question-octagon\"><g id=\"Group_7792\"><path id=\"Path_6596\" d=\"M17.02.55c.35-.35.83-.55 1.32-.55h23.3c.5 0 .97.2 1.32.55l16.48 16.48c.35.35.55.83.55 1.32v23.3c0 .5-.2.97-.55 1.32L42.96 59.45c-.35.35-.83.55-1.32.55h-23.3c-.5 0-.97-.2-1.32-.55L.55 42.97A1.88 1.88 0 0 1 0 41.65v-23.3c0-.5.2-.97.55-1.32L17.02.55Zm2.1 3.2L3.75 19.12v21.75l15.38 15.38h21.75l15.38-15.38V19.12L40.88 3.74H19.13Z\" class=\"cls-1\"><\/path><path id=\"Path_6597\" d=\"M19.57 21.78c-.01.24.08.48.26.65.18.17.41.27.66.26h3.14c.52-.01.95-.41 1.01-.93.34-2.43 2.05-4.21 5.1-4.21 2.61 0 5 1.27 5 4.33 0 2.36-1.42 3.44-3.67 5.09-2.56 1.81-4.58 3.93-4.44 7.37v.8c.03.51.45.92.96.91h3.08c.52 0 .94-.41.95-.93v-.39c0-2.66 1.04-3.44 3.84-5.51 2.32-1.72 4.73-3.62 4.73-7.63 0-5.6-4.85-8.31-10.16-8.31-4.82 0-10.09 2.19-10.45 8.48Zm5.92 21.38c.05 1.96 1.68 3.5 3.64 3.45.07 0 .14 0 .2-.01 2.32 0 3.91-1.46 3.91-3.44s-1.6-3.49-3.91-3.49a3.534 3.534 0 0 0-3.82 3.23c0 .09-.01.17-.01.26Z\" class=\"cls-1\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg> <\/div><h3><strong>Identification<\/strong> &#8211; what you may see in the child or young person<\/h3><div class=\"box-content list-col-1\"><ul>\n<li>Appears unable to take part in some classroom or social activities.<\/li>\n<li>May not have the right equipment.<\/li>\n<li>May not know what lessons they have next or during that day.<\/li>\n<li>Struggles to predict what equipment to use when given a task.<\/li>\n<li>Seems unsure about how to complete a task.<\/li>\n<li>Has difficulty participating in PE lessons; accessing activities which involve throwing and catching or using a bat and ball.<\/li>\n<li>Spatial awareness difficulties.<\/li>\n<li>Struggles to maintain functional working position in the seat provided.<\/li>\n<li>Has difficulty moving between equipment, for example chair to standing, chair to floor.<\/li>\n<li>Shows mental fatigue, for example staring into space, not able to hold small amounts of information, work refusal.<\/li>\n<li>Shows physical fatigue, for example displays poor posture, becomes clumsy or struggles to coordinate movements.<\/li>\n<li>Dependence on an adult to do the planning and arranging for them.<\/li>\n<li>Is unable to maintain self-esteem, for example they can\u2019t see their own strengths.<\/li>\n<li>Has associated pain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-boxes clearfix\" id=\"block_acf-block-6970ee4fec0ed\"><ul class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x small-up-1 medium-up-1 large-up-1\"><li class=\"cell box-contents\"><div class=\"box-contents-inner has-svg\"><div class=\"box-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 65 60\"><g data-name=\"Group 1\"><path fill=\"#f0d85d\" d=\"M3 4h59v56H3z\" data-name=\"Rectangle 1619\"><\/path><path fill=\"#222959\" d=\"M4.434.004A4.59 4.59 0 0 0 0 4.736v50.528a4.59 4.59 0 0 0 4.434 4.74h56.132A4.59 4.59 0 0 0 65 55.264V4.736A4.59 4.59 0 0 0 60.566.004Zm1.476 6.31h53.18v47.372h-7.382v-3.155H38.41v3.155H5.91V6.314ZM32.5 18.947a4.748 4.748 0 1 0 4.432 4.738 4.592 4.592 0 0 0-4.432-4.738Zm-11.816 5.53a3.506 3.506 0 0 0 0 7 3.506 3.506 0 0 0 0-7Zm23.633 0a3.281 3.281 0 0 0-2.957 1.745 3.764 3.764 0 0 0 0 3.61 3.281 3.281 0 0 0 2.957 1.745 3.567 3.567 0 0 0 0-7.1ZM32.5 31.578a13.579 13.579 0 0 0-8.526 2.912 10.54 10.54 0 0 0-3.291-.544c-3.559 0-7.391 2.012-7.391 4.513v2.594h38.416v-2.594c0-2.5-3.832-4.513-7.391-4.513a10.548 10.548 0 0 0-3.291.544 13.579 13.579 0 0 0-8.526-2.912Z\" data-name=\"Path 6598\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg> <\/div><h3><strong>Planned<\/strong> provision in school<\/h3><div class=\"box-content list-col-1\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Regular rest breaks<\/strong> to reduce fatigue.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pupil voice &#8211; make a list of their Red, Amber and Green impact activities<\/strong>. It doesn\u2019t have to be about physical activity; it may be a certain subject, for example Maths because they find it hard.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pupil voice to consider the barriers<\/strong> that drain energy in their day.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use of assistive technology<\/strong>, for example Clicker, switches, roller ball mouse, speech to text.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Careful consideration of timetabling<\/strong>, to allow for rest breaks and fatigue management.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Koosh, spider balls, bean bag<\/strong>, but not just for the child or young person with physical difficulties.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Slower moving objects are easier to catch<\/strong>, for example lightweight balls or balloons.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use lightweight or Velcro bats<\/strong>. Grips are available to secure bats.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Provide specific input<\/strong> for development of age appropriate social and emotional skills.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use alternative equipment and resources<\/strong> from OT, Physio or Advisory teachers, to include self-help skills.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Moving and handling training for key staff<\/strong>, to ensure safe practical handling techniques are followed and a handling plan is in place.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Accessibility planning<\/strong> to include Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan &#8211; PEEP.<\/li>\n<li><strong>School trips planned well in advance<\/strong>, with accessible transport and risk assessment completed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Accessible toilet and an intimate care policy<\/strong> in place for individual child or young person which may include a toilet pass.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reasonable adjustments are made to the school environment and building<\/strong>, adaptions may include:<br \/>\nramps, accessible toilets, grab bars, height adjustable furniture.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Support and opportunity for children and young people to contribute to their reviews and planning meetings.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Access to appropriate modified resources<\/strong> as recommended by the Advisory Teacher for Physical Difficulties.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Teach and practise self-advocacy skills,<\/strong> for example the confidence to speak up if they can\u2019t see the board or activity, highlighting positive role models, opportunities to engage in the physical disability community.<\/li>\n<li><strong>For older pupils, advice and guidance from a careers advisor<\/strong>, aware of the needs of children and young people who have physical needs, about preparation for adulthood and options available at post-16, work experience and independent living.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"content-boxes clearfix\" id=\"block_acf-block-6970ee4fec81f\"><ul class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x small-up-1 medium-up-1 large-up-1\"><li class=\"cell box-contents\"><div class=\"box-contents-inner has-svg\"><div class=\"box-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 76.617 60\"><g data-name=\"Group 1\"><path fill=\"#f0d85d\" d=\"M1.371 3h73v52h-73z\" data-name=\"Rectangle 1638\"><\/path><g fill=\"#222959\"><path d=\"M46.517 13.632h19.154v5.473H46.517Z\" data-name=\"Path 6599\"><\/path><path d=\"M46.517 27.264h19.154v5.473H46.517Z\" data-name=\"Path 6600\"><\/path><path d=\"M46.517 40.896h19.154v5.473H46.517Z\" data-name=\"Path 6601\"><\/path><path d=\"M10.945 13.632h19.154v5.473H10.945Z\" data-name=\"Path 6602\"><\/path><path d=\"M10.945 27.264h19.154v5.473H10.945Z\" data-name=\"Path 6603\"><\/path><path d=\"M10.945 40.896h19.154v5.473H10.945Z\" data-name=\"Path 6604\"><\/path><path d=\"M71.144 0H5.473A5.469 5.469 0 0 0 0 5.455v49.09A5.469 5.469 0 0 0 5.473 60h65.671a5.469 5.469 0 0 0 5.473-5.455V5.455A5.469 5.469 0 0 0 71.144 0ZM5.473 5.455h30.1v49.09h-30.1Zm35.572 49.09V5.455h30.1v49.09Z\" data-name=\"Path 6625\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg> <\/div><h3><strong>Resources<\/strong> for schools<\/h3><div class=\"box-content list-col-1\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Support services<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/request-for-access-to-send-support-guidance\/\">Request Support from Devon&#8217;s Sensory or Physical Needs Team<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoneducationservices.co.uk\/events\/5900092e-b805-4c1d-b5b8-d5a27cd22910\/Moving-and-handling-of-children-and-young-people-with-physical-difficulties-Init\" rel=\"noopener\">Moving and handling of children and young people with physical difficulties training<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/send-local-offer\/preparing-for-adult-life-ages-14-25-years\/referral-to-the-tasc-team\/\">The Transitions Adult Social Care Service (TACS)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncarers.org.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Devon Carers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Further reading and information<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Devon sensory and physical resources and information:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/\">Devon&#8217;s Sensory or Physical Needs Team (physical difficulties)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/conditions\/\">Conditions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/positioning\/\">Positioning<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/useful-physical-difficulties-websites\/\">Useful physical difficulties websites<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/managing-fatigue\/\">Managing fatigue<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/concentration-and-organisation\/\"> Concentration and organisation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/top-ten-tips-for-pe\/\">Top ten tips for PE<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/moving-and-handling\/\">Moving and handling<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/health-topic\/physical-disability\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Physical Disabilities<\/a> | Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/resources\/body-awareness-in-pe-tips-and-advice\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Body awareness in PE &#8211; tips and advice<\/a> | CFHD<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/resources\/accessories-that-can-be-used-to-support-with-mealtimes\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Accessories that can be used to support with mealtimes<\/a> | CFHD<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rhcg.org.uk\/kids-for-families\/development-and-growing-up\/primary-school\/movement-skills\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Movement skills<\/a> &#8211; Primary School| NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/education-and-families\/send-local-offer\/preparing-for-adult-life-ages-14-25-years\/preparing-for-adulthood-transitions-guide\/\">Devon&#8217;s preparing for adulthood transitions guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Resources to share with parents<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/send-local-offer\/understanding-send\/sensory-and-or-physical-needs\/physical-impairments\/\">Support in Devon for children with physical difficulties\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/resources\/backward-chaining-teaching-young-ones-self-care\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Backward chaining: teaching young ones self-care<\/a> |Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/resources\/accessories-for-toilet-training-and-going-to-the-toilet\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Accessories for toilet training and going to the toilet<\/a>| CFHD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":981,"featured_media":0,"parent":31561,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-31571","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-11 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