FAQs

To find out more about the services our charity provides, about Conductive Education and if we can help you and your child please head to the about us section of our website. You can also get in touch with our team to find out more.

We ask families to make a contribution of £32.50 per month to cover £10 per session (or £390 per annum). This is a contribution to our costs and doesn't represent the actual cost of providing our services (the actual cost per family is £162.39 per session / £5,066 per annum).

We encourage families to talk to one of our team regarding financial assistance from trusts and foundations, that could potentially fund a child's place or other costs, or if they wish to take a break for financial reasons.

Everyone benefits in different ways, but in summary, you and your child will start living a more fulfilling, better quality life. You’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need to help your child at home and play a vital part in developing their personal, social, cognitive and mobility skills. Ultimately, you’ll help your child unlock their ability to explore their potential. We’re here to provide emotional support, as well as practical advice and information on how to care for your child.

We’ll discuss all of this information with you during your initial consultation. Footprints Conductive Education Centre operates a six-week term with a two-week break. You can see all the dates on our Term Calendar.

Our activities and sessions vary according to your child’s age, disability and learning needs. Typical elements might include - 

• Specific programmes to develop communication at the individual child's level, using rhythmical intentions (repeated words to help movements) with lots of fun songs and rhymes.
• A particular series of tasks to teach controlled body movements and motor planning in various positions and to enhance the child’s active participation.
• Using play to teach preschool skills and conceptual learning, for example, colouring, listening to stories, counting and telling the time.
• Day to day self help skills such as eating, drinking, dressing, toileting, as well as practical support for families on how they can continue to help their child at home.
• Pre-reading and writing activities, starting at an elementary level with play including movements.

Any academic work included in your child’s learning sessions will always follow the government’s guidelines for an Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.

We support children with autism as a secondary condition, however, we do not have the expertise or experience to provide services to children whose primary difficulty is autism. Organisations that may be able to provide the support you need are - Sunshine Support Group based in Derby or Rainbows Parents and Carers Forum in Nottingham.

All babies and children develop different skills at different times, but there are certain milestones that you can expect them to achieve at various stages, from birth to the age of five. You’ll find an interactive guide including videos and advice, at the NHS Choices website.

Talk to your GP as soon as possible. If there are difficulties, an early diagnosis can make a big difference to your child’s ability to lead a ‘normal’ life, so don’t delay. Remember that you’re entitled to a second opinion if you’re not happy with your GP’s diagnosis or non-diagnosis. And don’t be afraid to ask for a hospital referral to a developmental paediatrician.

The paediatrician will carry out tests and evaluation to assess how your child is developing alongside the standards for their age. They’ll probably look at the following areas - 

Tests

• Physical and motor development

• Ability to communicate verbally or by other means

• Social and emotional development e.g. social interaction and behaviours

• Self-help skills such as trying to feed, wash or dress themselves

• Cognitive skills such as problem solving or recognising words and letters

Evaluation

• An interview with you about what you’ve observed about your child’s development. Give as much information as you can, but don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers

• A review of your child’s medical history

Your GP or paediatrician should arrange a care package for your child, which might include services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Now is also the time to contact us – we will arrange a consultation to decide how to structure your child’s learning sessions and identify the support you’ll need to help your child at home.

The websites listed below offer advice, information and support for the conditions we meet with most often at Footprints. Your GP or paediatrician should also be able to help and there’s a wealth of more general information at the NHS Choices website.

Cerebral palsy

• NHS - Cerebral Palsy

• Cerebral Palsy Sport

Head injury or stroke

• Child Trust Brain Injury

• Stroke Association - Childhood Stroke

Down Syndrome

• Down Syndrome Association

• DSE International

• Nottinghamshire Down Syndrome Support Group

Muscular dystrophy

• Muscular Dystophy UK

• FSH-MD Support Group

You may need to get an Education and Health Care Plan for your child. We can help to guide you through this process, and you can find more information at these websites -

• Gov.UK - Children with special educational needs
• (IPSEA) Independent Provider of Special Education Advice

You can also contact the education department at your local authority for advice. 

Please head to our dedicated Resource for Families page for details of supporting organisations and charities.