Family-Centred Practice in Physiotherapy: A Modern Approach to Paediatric Care

13 Apr

What Is Family-Centred Practice ?

Family-Centred Practice (FCP) is a collaborative approach where healthcare providers, such as physiotherapists, work alongside families—not just for them. It recognises that parents are the experts on their child’s needs and that therapy should be tailored to fit their lifestyle, culture, and priorities.

Key principles of FCP include:
·      Respecting autonomy – Families make informed choices about their child’s care.
·      Strengths-based focus – Building on what families already do well.
·      Cultural sensitivity – Adapting therapy to fit family traditions and values.
·      Partnership in decision-making – Therapists provide expertise; families guide goals.

Why Traditional Models Fall Short

Historically, therapy was therapist-driven, where:
❌ Professionals set goals without family input
❌ Therapy was soley clinic-based, not integrated into daily life
❌ Parents were passive recipients, not active partners

This often led to:

·     Poor long-term adherence (families didn’t feel ownership of therapy)
·     Missed opportunities for real-life skill-building
·      Higher parental stress (feeling excluded from the process)

FCP makes therapy meaningful, sustainable, and empowering.

The Benefits of Family-Centred Physiotherapy

Research shows FCP leads to:
·      Better child outcomes – Faster motor skill development, improved participation in daily activities
·      Reduced parental stress – Families feel more confident in supporting their child’s needs
·      More effective therapy – Home-based interventions lead to faster progress
·      Stronger therapist-family relationships – Better trust and communication

Putting FCP into Action

Case Study: A 7-year-old with Cerebral Palsy (GMFCS Level II) dreams of walking to school with his family.

Family-Led Goal Setting

· Parents and child identify walking to school as their top priority.

Real-World Assessment & Coaching

· The physiotherapist visits the school route, noting challenges like uneven paths, slopes, and the 1km distance.
· Parents learn practical strategies to support their child’s balance and endurance during daily walks.

Task-Based Training

· Therapy focuses on breaking down the journey (e.g., practicing slopes, walking shorter distances first then gradually increasing the length of the walk).
· Parents receive personalised resources to practice safely at home and in the community.

The Outcome:

Within 3 months, the child walks to school independently—boosting confidence, participation and family happiness.

Why This Works:

·     Therapy happens where it matters most (the school route).
·     Parents become skilled coaches, not just observers.
·     Goals are functional, meaningful, and achievable.

Case Study: A 6-year-old with Down Syndrome loves watching other children play but struggles to join in due to:

·      Low muscle tone affecting climbing and balance
·      Anxiety around unfamiliar equipment
·      Limited opportunities to practice in supportive environments

Family-Led Goal Setting

· During the initial consultation, parents express their heartbreak over seeing their child excluded from playground fun.
· Together with the therapist, they set a clear goal: “We want our child to play on the slide and swings with other kids.”

Therapy Where It Matters Most

· The physiotherapist meets the family at their local park to assess playground equipment (e.g., step height, swing stability).
· Identify small, achievable steps (e.g., sitting on a low platform first before climbing).

Parent Coaching for Real-World Success

The therapist teaches simple strategies for:
·     Supporting balance: Holding the child’s hips (not hands) to encourage core strength.
·     Breaking down tasks: Practicing “climbing” on couch cushions at home first.
·     Social inclusion: Using siblings or peers to model play.

Community Connections

The physiotherapist links the family to:
· Playgroups with inclusive equipment.
· Local parent networks for shared experiences.

The Outcome

Within 12 weeks, the child:
·     Climbs onto the slide independently (using a small stool).
·     Initiates play with peers by handing them toys.
·     Parents report: “We finally see our child’s confidence—not just skills.”

Key Takeaways

·       FCP puts families in charge of their child’s therapy journey.
·      It leads to better, faster, and more meaningful progress.
·     Outreach Physiotherapy brings expert care to your doorstep.