Service overview
Our Physiotherapy team is part of our Children and Young People’s Integrated Therapies Service. We support children and young people to help them become as independent as possible, reducing the impact of physical development and mobility issues on everyday life.
We'll work with you to help to develop gross motor skills and provide advice on posture, mobility (including walking), and specialist equipment such as seating, standing equipment, mobility aids, and splints.
We do not see children with orthopaedic conditions such as painful joints/muscles, broken bones or respiratory conditions. Please contact your GP for support relating to these concerns.
Accessing our service
We accept referrals for children and young people aged 0 to 19 who are registered with a Berkshire GP or live in the area.
You can make a referral using our online referral form. Referrals can come from parents, carers, teachers, Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs), GPs, or other healthcare professionals.
For West Berkshire (covering Reading, Wokingham, and Newbury), referrals for primary school-aged children under 5 must go through the Dingley Physiotherapy team at Royal Berkshire Hospital. For secondary school-aged children, the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy team will provide support.
A GP and Paediatrician will need to complete a referral to access these services.
Preparing for an assessment
Assessments may take place in a clinic, school, or at home depending on your child’s needs.
You’ll receive a letter, email, or phone call with details of the appointment. Most appointments last between 30-60 minutes.
Please bring any relevant reports or equipment your child uses, and make sure to dress them in comfortable clothes. You don’t need to bring their medication with you, but a list of what your child takes is helpful.
You're welcome to bring a family member, friend, or carer with you for support.
Managing your health
If you have concerns about a child or young person, there are several ways to access help and support.
Gross motor skills
Discover advice and guidance on topics including balance, core stability, hypermobility, and developing standing and stepping.
Neurodiversity in schools videos
Explore our videos covering everything from inclusive classrooms to movement breaks, balance and coordination, and supporting younger children.
Contact us and FAQs
Erlegh House
Children's and Young People’s Integrated Therapies
Contact number: 0118 904 3700 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays)
Email: CYPIT@berkshire.nhs.uk
Post Address: RG6 6BZ
Location detailsWhitley Health Centre
Children's and Young People’s Integrated Therapies
Contact number: 0118 904 3700 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays)
Email: CYPIT@berkshire.nhs.uk
Post Address: RG2 7PJ
West Berkshire Community Hospital
Children's and Young People’s Integrated Therapies
Contact number: 0118 904 3700 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays)
Email: CYPIT@berkshire.nhs.uk
Post Address: RG18 3AS
Location detailsWokingham Community Hospital
Children's and Young People’s Integrated Therapies
Contact number: 0118 904 3700 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays)
Email: CYPIT@berkshire.nhs.uk
Post Address: RG41 2XR
Location detailsFrequently asked questions
Do I need a diagnosis to access the service?
No you don't need a diagnosis to access our service. Our support is based on your child’s needs, not on their diagnosis.
Can I refer my own child?
Yes, parents and carers can make referrals using our online form. You can also ask your child's school to make a referral for you.
How long will I have to wait for an appointment?
Waiting times depend on the service and the urgency of your child’s needs. After your referral is reviewed, we’ll contact you with the next steps.
We can also help you with
Is there any information for friends, family and carers?
If you’re a family member/carer or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available to you from a range of local communities and national organisations.
How do I request an interpreter?
We can provide language translation and interpretation support whenever you visit or contact us.
Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.
We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:
- telephone interpreting
- video remote interpreting (VRI)
- face‑to‑face interpreting
- written translation
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
How can I get information in an accessible format?
Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to receive information in a format that meets their needs. Under the Accessible Information Standard (AIS)—a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers—we must ensure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand the information we provide and communicate effectively with us.
We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- large print
- braille
- audio
- easy Read
- text message
- face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present
If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.
Are service dogs allowed to my appointment?
Yes. You are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.
These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.
To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.
Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.
Treating our team with respect.
Respect is important.
We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.
Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.
We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.
This includes contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.
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