Health Professionals
Physiotherapy
At Mill Ford School we have a physiotherapist who works regularly at the school. Our physiotherapy department is part of the service offered to children by the Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust and they have links with other paediatric physiotherapists in the area.
When delivering physiotherapy progammes the aim is to promote independence, mobility and self help by minimizing or preventing contractures or deformities. Physiotherapists’ work closely with families to support in this aim and parents are encouraged to visit the department. During the school holiday’s therapists will make home visits if necessary.
Hydrotherapy
At Mill Ford school we have a hydrotherapy pool, which is used to carry out hydrotherapy programmes with the same aim as physiotherapy programmes. Our aim is that those with hydrotherapy needs have the opportunity to access our pool at least twice a week. Our early swimmers also use our hydrotherapy pool to develop water confidence and our pupils with autism use it to encourage communication and social interaction.
Additional Therapies /Specialists
Mill Ford school also has access to a range of other specialists to support our children including a link educational Psychologist who is highly specialist in supporting pupils with severe, profound and complex difficulties. Via a referral system we have access to support from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). CAMHS service includes the support of clinical psychologists and art therapists to support pupils with behaviour and social needs. Furthermore we have access to therapeutic music session, advocacy and counseling when necessary.
Speech and Language Therapy
At Mill Ford School we have one speech and language therapist and one assistant who work regularly at the school. Our Speech and Language department is part of the service offered to children by the Plymouth Community Health Care (part of the NHS), and they have links with other therapists in the area.
When delivering therapy programmes the aim is to promote independence through the development of communication and interaction skills. Speech and Language therapists work closely with families to support this aim and parents are encouraged to visit the department. Therapists also work with class teachers to support communication work being done in the classroom, through the curriculum or through individual therapy programmes. They also work with the school as a whole to help in securing a total communication environment.
Useful links:
www.communicationmatters.org.uk