Kate Drake and Maxine Shearer are our physiotherapists.

Kate and Maxine are both experienced Chartered Physiotherapists. They are registered with the Health Professions Council. (Anyone using the title ‘Physiotherapist’ must be registered with the Health Professions Council, always check that a therapist’s details are on www.hpc-uk.org)

Kate Drake (PH39575) works full-time as a private physiotherapist for KidsPhysio. She sees children within a 20-mile radius of Milton Keynes, Bucks.

Kate graduated in 1988 from Pinderfield's College of Physiotherapy, Wakefield, West Yorkshire. She completed her post-graduate training at Pontefract General Infirmary and moved to Milton Keynes in 1990, in order to specialise in Paediatric Physiotherapy. From 1995 until 2005, Kate worked part-time through an agency in Bedford, Aylesbury, Luton and London Child Development Centres whilst setting up her physiotherapy practice. She also worked part-time, for two years, for Coventry University as a visiting tutor, supporting and examining physiotherapy students during their clinical placements.

Kate passed the ‘Certificate in Paediatric Physiotherapy’ with a merit. This was a block release course, taken over a year at Birmingham University, covering a wide range of topics pertaining to children’s physiotherapy.

Kate is an accredited Bobath Therapist. She has attended the eight-week Bobath Course and two one-week refresher courses. Bobath Therapy is a treatment approach, also known as Neurodevelopmental Therapy, is beneficial for children with neurological problems, especially cerebral palsy.

Kate has completed the Sensory Integration Therapy course, which can assist children with dyspraxia and coordination difficulties. Sensory integration therapy focuses on the difficulties children have with organising the information they receive, and how it affects the movements they perform.

She has a special interest in biomechanics and the application of orthotics and has attended many courses on this subject; including the accredited Strathclyde University 'AFOs for Children with Cerebral Palsy' course.

Kate is a member of the following organisations:

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP)
Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice (OCPPP or Physiofirst)
British Association of Bobath Trained Therapists (BABTT)

Maxine Shearer (PH 24291) works two days a week as a private physiotherapist for KidsPhysio. She sees children within a 20-mile radius of Shillington, Herts.

Maxine graduated in 1977 from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital School of Physiotherapy, Birmingham. She completed her post-graduate training in Cheltenham, and has also worked in Cardiff, Reading and Luton. She worked for 11 years in the Paediatric Physiotherapy Team in Luton treating children with complex physical and learning difficulties in special schools. In July 2004, she was appointed as Physical Disability Adviser, by Luton Education Authority. The role was created to support and enhance access to all areas of the school curriculum for children with disabilities, in both special and mainstream school.

Maxine is a Bobath Trained Therapist, having attended the eight-week Bobath Course in 1983, and the one-week refresher course as well as several practical Bobath workshops.

Maxine has a special interest in hydrotherapy and has been on many hydrotherapy courses and practical workshops.

Maxine has a lot of experience with children with complex needs and has also attended many courses in this field, including 24-hour postural care and hip problems.

Maxine is qualified to lead Rebound Therapy sessions for children with a range of physical impairment. The benefits of rebound therapy include improved balance, coordination, spatial awareness and normalising muscle tone. It can also provide an enjoyable cardiovascular workout.

Maxine is a member of the following organisations:

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP)