Postural Care is the term used to describe protecting and supporting the posture and spine of people with physical disabilities, movement difficulties or neurological conditions. It uses specialised positioning and equipment across the day and night to prevent physical distortion, pain and reduce secondary health complications.
For many people, posture is something associated with sitting up straight, standing tall or avoiding a slouch. But for families raising a child with additional needs, posture can affect comfort, communication, participation in everyday activities, health and their future quality of life.
A group of parents whose children have been supported by the Children’s Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust have come together with staff to create a series of five animations about postural care. The animations were coproduced throughout and made by My Pockets, a video production service based in Beverley, East Yorkshire.
These films, created by parents and clinicians from Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, are for parents and everyone involved in a child’s life. They provide practical information, guidance and reassurance for families who may be navigating postural care for the first time. As a more accessible resource, they replace lengthy PowerPoint presentations that clinicians used previously to educate families and carers.
Developed from real-life experiences of parents who understand first-hand the challenges that can come with caring for a child with additional needs, parents describe how their understanding of posture changed after having a child with complex needs. What was once a simple concept, became a matter of ensuring their child was comfortable, able to take part in everyday activities and supported to achieve the best possible outcomes in their future.
They openly acknowledge the realities many families face with parents speaking honestly about adapting to additional equipment in the home, learning new routines and overcoming the feeling of being overwhelmed when first introduced to postural care. By sharing these experiences, the animations help families realise they are not alone.
They guide viewers through every stage, from referral and assessment through to developing a personalised postural care plan and introducing equipment using clear and accessible language throughout. For families already managing multiple appointments, therapies and decisions, having information delivered by people who have experienced the journey themselves can be invaluable.
The purpose of the animations is far reaching, breaking down the information that is needed for everyone involved in a child’s life, not just parents. Grandparents, siblings, carers, teachers, teaching assistants and healthcare professionals all have a role to play in supporting good postural care. The series reinforces the idea that the best outcomes are achieved when families, schools and services work together to create a consistent approach throughout the day.
The families and clinicians who voiced and created the animations recently attended a launch event at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, providing the opportunity for reflection and sharing of a new resource that will support many more families along their journey with postural management. The animations are now available for anyone to view and will provide an invaluable resource for many families as they navigate postural care.