Help and advice

Funding restrictions often means that these wheelchairs are provided by the NHS wheelchair service only to full-time powered wheelchair users, but eligibility criteria does vary between services.

Regardless of whether your child receives their wheelchair through the wheelchair service, or through charitable funding, it is very important that they have a thorough assessment with an occupational therapist or physiotherapist. There will be individual factors that determine which wheelchair best suits your child's needs, and it is vital that your child's posture and position in the wheelchair is professionally assessed.

Kerb climbing can be frightening for some children - the use of dropped kerbs can be safer and more comfortable. Wheelchair skills training can help develop your child's confidence and wheelchair skills.

How far the chair will travel is dependent on many factors including the overall weight of the chair, the weight of the child and the terrain in which it is used. Depending on the chair, manufacturers claim a wide range of distances that it is possible to travel on one full charge.