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Effective Practice Hub

The Effective Practice Hub holds a wealth of useful resources to help support children and young people with physical disability.

Free to access, resources available include information and advice leaflets, case studies, risk assessment examples and ‘top tips’.

All resources have been written and shared by professionals from across the physical disability sector and then quality assured by the pdnet Editorial Board.

Please note although all resources included within the Effective Practice Hub have been quality assured, pdnet can accept no responsibility for any actions taken or not taken solely by reference to their contents. Please remember that every child and young person with physical disability is unique and that you should seek advice from the appropriate professionals before implementing any changes.

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154 resources found

EY Checklist for Setting Access Visit

Early Years Access Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Transition

A checklist for Early Year’s settings to support and enable inclusion and independence for children aged 0-4.

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Scissor Skills

Early Years, Schools Fine Motor Skills Guidance Resources Top Tips Training

Ideas for developing cutting skills including pre-cutting exercises, activities that require no additional equipment and examples of cutting

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Play Clay and Dough

Early Years Guidance Resources Top Tips

Activities to improve skills with play dough to help support development across the foundation stage.  This includes recipes for play dough and play clay.

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Top Tips Early ICT Skills

Early Years Top Tips Training

Top Tips to support pupils in the Early Years ICT Skills.  This includes keyboard and touch typing skills and troubleshooting tips.

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Top Tips Early Skills

Early Years Top Tips Training

Top Tips on technology to support and develop pupils in the Early Years ICT Skills.

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Top Tips Risk Assessment

Early Years, Schools Top Tips Training

Information to consider when completing Risk Assessments including links to relevant websites and professionals to contact.

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Duchenne Training Slides

Early Years Conditions Training

Training slides on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) providing, key issues to consider, strategies to enable access to the school day and curriculum and further information.

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Ideas for Finger Gym Boxes

Early Years, Schools Training

How to create a finger gym and ideas on items to include.  A finger gym can support the development of fine motor skills and can be used to promote social skills if shared with a peer.

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Disability Rights Fire Safety Advice for Learners with PD

Schools, Post-16 Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Useful Links

Fire safety risk assessment supplementary guide that provides additional information on accessibility and means of escape for disabled people.

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10 Point Checklist to Help Decide if a Child or Young Person Needs a Handling Plan

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Managing Intimate and Personal Care in Schools and Post 16 Settings

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Access Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Toileting Top Tips Useful Links
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Physical Education for the Student who uses a Wheelchair

Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Equipment Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling PE & Swimming Useful Links
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Risk Assessment Example – Crutches

Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Other
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Risk Assessment Example– Manual Wheelchair

Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Other
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Ideas for Finger Gym boxes

Early Years, Schools Fine Motor Skills Guidance Top Tips Training

How to create a finger gym and ideas on items to include.  A finger gym can support the development of fine motor skills and can be used to promote social skills if shared with a peer.

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Risk Assessment Example– Wheelchair use

Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Other
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Top Tips Risk Assessments

Early Years, Schools Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Top Tips Training Useful Links

Information to consider when completing Risk Assessments including links to relevant websites and professionals to contact.

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Risk Assessment Tool

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Other
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Top Tips Support CYP with PD to Organise

Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Guidance Independence Skills Study Skills Top Tips
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Sports Day & Athletics: Advice for Education Settings

Schools, Primary, Secondary Guidance PE & Swimming Top Tips
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Warwickshire Pupil Handling Risk Assessment Template

Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Access Equipment Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling
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Wheelchair Awareness

Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Access Equipment Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling
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Working Memory classroom guide

Schools, Primary, Secondary Guidance Study Skills Top Tips Training Useful Links
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Inclusion of Swimmers with a Disability

Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Guidance PE & Swimming Useful Links
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SEND Reform Guide

Post-16 Case Studies Guidance Useful Links

Guidance and Self-Assessment tool for Post 16 settings

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Supporting Children and Young People to Stay Safe Online

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Guidance ICT Useful Links
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Audit Tool for Transition Planning

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Access Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Other
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Top Tips Keyboard Recognition Skills

Schools, Primary, Secondary Guidance ICT Other Top Tips Useful Links
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Benny’s Shunt Malfunction poster

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Guidance Other
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Pathway to Independence: Guidance and Activity booklet

Schools, Post-16, Secondary Other Preparation for Adulthood Useful Links
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Assessment Strategies for Children and Young People with Hydrocephalus

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Other
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Ipad Apps for Complex Communication Support Needs

Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary ICT Other Resources
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Shine FAQs Physical Disability and Educational Settings

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Other Top Tips
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Hydrocephalus – SEN Support Planning

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Other Top Tips Useful Links
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Arthritis (Juvenile Idiopathic)

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary Conditions Guidance Other Useful Links
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Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Other Useful Links
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Congenital Muscular Dystrophies

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Other Useful Links
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Dyspraxia (Development Coordination Disorder)

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Other Useful Links
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Hydrocephalus

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Other Useful Links
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Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Other Useful Links
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Lower Limb Abnormalities

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Other Top Tips
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Muscular Dystrophy

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Other Top Tips
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Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bones)

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Other Top Tips
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Perthes Disease

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Top Tips
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Restricted Growth

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Useful Links
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Spina Bifida

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Useful Links
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Upper Limb Abnormalities

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Useful Links
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Gross Motor Skills Activities to Promote Jumping

Schools, Primary Gross Motor Skills Other PE & Swimming Top Tips
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Gross Motor Skills Activities to Promote Balance

Schools, Primary Gross Motor Skills Other PE & Swimming Top Tips
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Gross Motor Skills Activities to Promote Ball Skills Catching and Throwing

Schools, Primary Gross Motor Skills Other PE & Swimming Top Tips
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Gross Motor Skills Activities to Promote Coordination and Sequencing Skills

Schools, Primary Gross Motor Skills Other PE & Swimming Top Tips
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Gross Motor Skills Activities to Promote Core Stability

Early Years, Schools, Primary Gross Motor Skills Guidance Other PE & Swimming Top Tips
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Gross Motor Skills Activities to Promote Hopping

Schools, Primary Gross Motor Skills Other PE & Swimming Top Tips
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Gross Motor Skills Activities to Promote Running

Schools, Primary Gross Motor Skills Other PE & Swimming Top Tips
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Gross Motor Skills Activities to Promote Skipping

Schools, Primary Gross Motor Skills Other PE & Swimming
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Gross Motor Skills Activities for Obstacle Course

Early Years, Schools, Primary Gross Motor Skills Guidance Top Tips
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Exam Technique and Revision

Schools, Post-16, Secondary Guidance Study Skills Top Tips Useful Links
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Staying calm before and during exams

Schools, Primary, Secondary Other Resources Study Skills
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Cerebral Palsy – awareness raising training

Early Years, Schools, Primary Access Conditions Guidance Training Useful Links
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Successful Transition

Early Years, Schools, Primary, Secondary Access Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Top Tips Transition
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Continence Confidence

Early Years, Schools Guidance Independence Skills Toileting Top Tips Useful Links
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Top Tips Toys for Early Years Children with SEND

Early Years Equipment Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Resources Top Tips
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Toys for Early Years Children with SEND – Safety

Early Years Access Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling
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EY Personal, Social, Emotional Development and Wellbeing

Early Years Guidance Top Tips Well-Being
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Dressing Skills

Early Years, Schools Access Fine Motor Skills Independence Skills Top Tips Training
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Getting Seating Right!

Early Years, Schools, Primary, Secondary Access Equipment Fine Motor Skills Gross Motor Skills Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling
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Gross Motor Skills – Posture

Early Years, Schools, Primary, Secondary Access Gross Motor Skills Guidance
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Rulers

Early Years, Schools, Primary, Secondary Curriculum Equipment Fine Motor Skills Top Tips
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Transport for School Trips

Schools Access Educational Visits Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Top Tips
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Top Tips for trips

Schools, Primary, Secondary Access Educational Visits Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Top Tips
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Cerebral Palsy: training slides

Early Years, Schools Access Conditions Top Tips Training
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Short Stature

Schools, Primary, Secondary Access Conditions Guidance Top Tips Useful Links
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Managing Continence in School

Schools, Primary, Secondary Toileting Top Tips Useful Links
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Case Study – Art Painting

Schools Case Studies Curriculum Practical Subjects

During redevelopment of the upper school curriculums, the opportunity was taken to broaden the Art teaching in this school setting; extending the range of artists studied, techniques used and using Art to engage students with other areas of learning (e.g. developing communication, ICT, Literacy and Maths skills)

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Case Study – Art Teaching (Portraiture)

Schools, Post-16, Secondary Case Studies Curriculum Guidance Practical Subjects

During redevelopment of the upper school curriculum, the opportunity was taken to broaden the Art teaching in this school setting; extending the range of artists studied, techniques used and using Art to engage students with other areas of learning (e.g. developing communication, ICT, Literacy and Maths skills)

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Pupil feedback form – school age (with symbols)

Schools, Primary, Secondary Feedback
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Inclusion in Physical Education and School Sports

Schools, Primary, Secondary Access Curriculum PE & Swimming Top Tips Useful Links
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Individual Environmental Access Audit

Early Years, Schools Access Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling

A risk assessment that suggests the reasonable adjustments schools should consider to enable a child access to the school and its curriculum.

This resource links to the Early Years pdnet Standards 1.5, 3.1, 3.7, 4.5 and Schools pdnet Standards 1.5, 3.1, 3.6, 4.4

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The Role of the Teacher working with Pupils with PD

Schools Guidance Independence Skills Top Tips Training

Tops tips for Teachers working with pupils with physical disabilities.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 1.4

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pdnet Top Tips Early Skills

Early Years, Schools Curriculum ICT Top Tips Training

Top Tips on technology to support and develop pupils in the Early Years ICT Skills.

This resource links the Early Years and Schools pdnet Standards

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Durham Pupil Risk Assessment Form Example

Schools Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling

A pupil risk assessment form including the assessment of tasks and the pupils ability and levels of independence.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 1.4

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Checklist for School Access Visit

Schools, Post-16 Access Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling

A checklist for School settings to support and enable inclusion and independence for children

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 2.1 and 2.4 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 2.1

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Pupil Profile and Advice Template

Schools, Post-16 Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling

A Pupil Profile and Advice form to support Physical Disability teams level of intervention.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 2.1 and 3.6 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 3.6

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WCC SEND Toileting Guidance

Early Years, Schools Access Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Toileting Training Useful Links

Guidance on special toileting needs in schools and early years’ settings.

This resource links to Early Years and Schools pdnet Standards 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.6, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5

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Secondary PE Leaflet Advice

Schools, Secondary Access Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling PE & Swimming Top Tips Useful Links Well-Being

Supporting Secondary Pupils with Physical Disabilities in P.E

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 2.1 and 3.1

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The Educational Implications of Epilepsy

Early Years, Schools Conditions Guidance Top Tips Useful Links

A resource intended to support staff in improving educational outcomes for students who have epilepsy.

This resource links to the Early Years and Schools pdnet Standards 1.4, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4.3, 4.5

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Swimming Checklist

Schools, Post-16 Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling PE & Swimming

A checklist to support pupils with a physical disability during their swimming lessons.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 2.4, 3.1 and 4.4 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 4.4

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Warwickshire Access Pro forma

Schools, Post-16 Access Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling

An access pro forma to support pupils with a physical disability at school.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 2.4 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 2.4

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A Manual Wheelchair in School

Schools, Post-16 Equipment Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Top Tips

Information and advice for schools and settings on manual wheelchairs.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 3.2 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 3.2

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A Splint in my Shoe

Schools, Post-16 Equipment Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Top Tips Well-Being

Information and advice for schools and settings on splints.

 This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 3.2 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 3.2

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A Standing Frame in my Classroom

Schools, Post-16 Equipment Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Top Tips Well-Being

Information and advice for schools and settings on standing frames in school.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 3.1

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Have you thought about adapted PE?

Schools, Post-16 Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling PE & Swimming Top Tips Useful Links

Adapted and modified physical education ideas across a range of sports for including children and young people with physical disabilities.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standards 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 3.4, 3.5

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A Powered Wheelchair in School

Schools, Post-16 Equipment Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Top Tips

Information and advice for schools and settings on powered wheelchairs in school.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 3.2 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 3.2

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Doing Fine: Practical Ideas to Support Fine Motor Development

Schools, Post-16 Fine Motor Skills Guidance Top Tips Training

Practical ideas to support fine motor development.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 3.2 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 3.2 

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Getting Around School with a Walking Aid

Schools, Post-16 Equipment Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling

Information and advice for schools and settings on walking aids in school.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 3.2 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 3.2

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PE; Including children and young people with physical disabilities

Schools, Post-16 Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling PE & Swimming Top Tips Training

Information and advice for including children and young people with physical disabilities in PE.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 3.4, 3.5

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Risk Assessment for Home Working

Schools, Post-16 Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Top Tips

A risk assessment form for staff to complete when working from a pupils home.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 3.1 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 3.1

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Supporting Achievement for Pupils with PD in PE

Schools, Post-16 Guidance PE & Swimming Training Useful Links

Information and advice on supporting achievement for pupils with a physical disability in P.E

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 3.2 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 3.2

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Planning School Trips

Schools, Post-16 Access Educational Visits Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Top Tips

Information and checklists for planning school trips in the UK and abroad.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standards 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 1.5, 3.4, 3.5, 4.4

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Top Tips for Crossing the Midline

Schools Fine Motor Skills Guidance Top Tips

Top Tips and exercises to develop crossing the midline skills.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 3.2

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Top Tips for Left-Handers with PD

Schools Fine Motor Skills Guidance Top Tips

Top Tips to support the development of left-handers.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 3.2

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Using Specialist Seating in Schools or Settings

Schools, Post-16 Equipment Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Training

Daily and weekly guidance on using specialist seating in schools or settings.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard

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Top Tips Seating and Posture

Schools, Post-16 Equipment Guidance Health & Safety e.g. risk, manual handling Top Tips Training Useful Links

Top Tips and advice on good seating and posture that aids stability and concentration.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard 3.1 and Post 16 pdnet Standard 3.1

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Swimming Symbols

Schools PE & Swimming

Widget symbols linked to swimming.

This resource links to the Schools pdnet Standard

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Hydrocephalus – Quick Teaching Tips

Early Years, Schools, Post-16, Primary, Secondary Conditions Guidance Top Tips
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