Emma Charnock
Clinical lead Paediatric Physiotherapist
BSc (Hons) MCSP

Emma trained at the University of Manchester graduating with a BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy in 2004. She spent the first few years of her career working in junior and senior roles within general physiotherapy rotations in the NHS. It was during this time that Emma gained experience of working with children whilst on the Paediatric rotations. This was and continues to be an area she is passionate about and Emma is now a specialist in Paediatric Physiotherapy.

For the last 10 years Emma has worked in Paediatrics within the NHS. This experience has allowed Emma to develop an extensive skill base in the management of children with a variety of conditions in a variety of settings including pre-school settings, mainstream schools, special schools, homes and clinics to name a few.

Examples of the conditions Emma has experience in treating include:

• Neurological conditions
• Cerebral Palsy
• Neuromuscular conditions
• Downs syndrome
• Developmental delays
• Complex genetic disorders
• Cystic fibrosis
• Musculoskeletal conditions

Emma brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience. She is passionate about supporting children and their families to identify meaningful and achievable goals and focuses on achieving them in a fun and dynamic way.

Outside of work Emma enjoys spending time with her boys and long walks around Calderdale with her dogs Poppy, Bonnie  and Betsy !

Holly Dunne – Specialist Children’s Physiotherapist

Holly also gained experience working with babies assessing and treating conditions such Down’s Syndrome, talipes, torticollis, plagiocephaly and brachial plexus birth injury. Holly managed a caseload of children with complex neurological conditions; working in special schools, mainstream schools, delivering land-based therapy, hydrotherapy and rebound therapy sessions. Holly also treated children on the acute wards with respiratory conditions and complications.

In 2012, Holly started working for Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust (Integrated Children’s Additional Needs Service) with a plan to develop her skills further working with children with Development Delay and Complex Neurological Conditions. In this role she carried out post operative therapy, care and advice, for example SDR or Pelvic Osteotomy/ hip surgery, she devised 24-hour Postural management programmes, Individual physiotherapy programmes, assessed for specialist equipment needs and carried out complex assessments including Goldsmiths and CPIPS. Holly worked in various Specialist Inclusive Centres around Leeds as well as Mainstream schools, nursery settings and clinic settings. She delivered a range of therapies including land based, rebound, aquatic and CIMT.

Holly is also trained and has a specialist interest in Aquatic therapy and has provided assessments, training to schools, support staff and devised individual Aquatic treatment programmes for children. In April 2023 Holly started working as an independent Children’s Physiotherapist in private practise and continues to work with children aged 0-19 years with development delay and complex neurological conditions. Holly is extremely passionate about her role as a Children’s Physiotherapist and the positive impact that she can help make to children’s and their families/carers’ lives. She loves seeing her patients progress with their motor skills and development whether it be a small or a large improvement, helping a child manage their symptoms or pain, empowering her more complex patients to maintain good body shape, health, inclusion and most importantly comfort. Holly endeavours to provide high quality care for all her patients and she is grateful of everyday working as a Children’s Physiotherapist being able to make a positive difference.

Helen Smith – Specialist Children’s Physiotherapist

I love being a Physiotherapist for various reasons; I love meeting people and getting to know them and their stories, helping them through whatever journey they are facing and seeing them achieve their goals at the end of their treatment. They all require the individual attention and approach that I can give them during their sessions. I pride myself in working with patients and their families achieving good outcomes and am committed to helping them achieve their full potential. I utilise my own life experiences as well as the evidence-based knowledge and skills I have gained through my work to deliver a high quality service of care and compassion.

I have had 3 children of my own and currently combine a teaching role and running a private practice alongside being a mum. I enjoy spending my spare time with my children and family, being outdoors in the sunshine, home improvements, crafting, gardening, watching FRIENDS, and being at the seaside.

Heather Angilley – Specialist Children’s Physiotherapist

Heather’s other areas of expertise are:

• Assessment & treatment of children with developmental delay and Cerebral Palsy, preterm to young adult
• Acquired brain injury – treatment and forecast of needs.
• Acute chest conditions.
• Adapted and specialised sports for disabled children and related equipment.
• British Sign Language trained.

In 2014 Heather retired from the NHS she is an active member of the special interest group Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (ACPC) and Paediatric Physios in Independent and Private Sector (PPIPS).

Heather is involved in training various aspects of care and treatment of childhood disability. This includes the promotion and training in the use of “Fit to Learn”- an award winning in-school motor skills programme. Heather promotes evidence-based healthcare, and overseas shares new developments in treatment, promotes Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) and teamwork in rural areas. She supports continuous professional development for all staff and assists in the development of sustainable