Paediatric Case Management
Paediatric case management supports children with brain injuries, birth injuries, and complex long-term conditions by coordinating rehabilitation, healthcare, and education. At OFH Care, our paediatric case managers work with families, solicitors, and deputies to secure the right support, ensure smooth rehabilitation, and provide expert, court-compliant reports across England and Wales.
What Is Paediatric Case Management?
Paediatric case management is the planning and coordination of health, rehabilitation, education, and social care for children with complex needs. Families often have to deal with multiple professionals and systems after a child sustains a catastrophic brain injury. For many families, this can feel overwhelming, especially when they must navigate multiple systems at once.
A paediatric case manager acts as a single point of contact, ensuring that therapies, medical treatment, education, and family support are joined up. Unlike adult case management, paediatric services also consider growth, development, schooling, and family life, making them uniquely child-focused and centred on long-term independence.
When Is a Paediatric Case Manager Needed?
A paediatric case manager can support families and legal teams in a variety of situations, including:
- Brain injuries (traumatic or acquired through stroke, infection, or oxygen deprivation)
- Birth injuries such as cerebral palsy, hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), or Erb’s palsy
- Progressive or genetic conditions including muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, or rare syndromes
- Long-term rehabilitation needs following medical negligence or surgery
- Cases involving litigation or Court of Protection deputyship
Solicitors and deputies frequently instruct paediatric case managers at an early stage of the litigation process. This ensures children receive timely rehabilitation and helps secure funding for care.
Need a paediatric case manager for a client or family member? Our team can help.
What Does a Paediatric Case Manager Do?
- Comprehensive Assessments: Initial Needs Assessments (INA) to review health, education, family circumstances, and home environment.
- Care Planning and Coordination: Developing joined-up plans with therapists, nurses, and educational specialists.
- Education Support: Working with schools and local authorities, supporting Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
- Family Support : Helping parents access respite care, counselling, and peer support.
- Equipment and Adaptations: Sourcing wheelchairs, hoists, communication aids, and arranging home modifications.
- Legal Support: Preparing reports, attending court when required, and assisting with costings in personal injury or Court of Protection proceedings.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Regular reviews to adapt care plans as the child grows, including transition to adult services.
How Does Paediatric Case Management Support Brain Injury Recovery?
Recovering from a childhood brain injury can be unpredictable. Some children regain independence quickly, while others require lifelong paediatric rehabilitation. Early intervention is crucial because children’s brains exhibit neuroplasticity, meaning they can adapt and recover more effectively. With coordinated support, children may:
- Improve mobility and strength through physiotherapy
- Develop communication skills with speech and language therapy
- Gain independence in daily life via occupational therapy
- Enhance concentration, behaviour, and memory with neuropsychological input
How Do Paediatric Case Managers Support Solicitors and Legal Professionals?
- Preparing expert, court-compliant reports
- Calculating lifetime care costs and rehabilitation projections
- Assisting with interim funding applications
- Supporting deputyship and mental capacity assessments for children
Case Study:
Coordinating Support After a Birth Injury
Client:
Context:
The family’s solicitor instructed OFH Care during a clinical negligence claim. Child A required therapies, equipment, and an EHCP, but the parents were struggling to access consistent support.
What We Did:
We completed a detailed Initial Needs Assessment, liaised with NHS and private therapists, and coordinated physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. We supported the EHCP process, advised on specialist equipment, and oversaw home adaptations.
Outcome:
The family accessed interim funding for therapies and equipment, and Child A achieved progress in mobility, communication, and school participation. The family also reported reduced stress and greater confidence in the coordinated support network around them. Our case management reports also provided the solicitor with robust evidence of long-term care & rehabilitation needs.
How to Choose the Right Paediatric Case Manager
When selecting a paediatric case manager, families and solicitors should look for:
- Registration with NMC, HCPC, or other professional bodies
- Training in paediatric brain injury and complex rehabilitation
- Experience with birth injuries, cerebral palsy, rare conditions
- Knowledge of the Court of Protection and litigation support
- Networking with local schools, therapists, and healthcare providers
You can read our comprehensive How to Find a Case Manager Guide for a more detailed overview of the process.
Looking for an experienced paediatric case manager? OFH Care can help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paediatric Case Management
How long does paediatric case management last?
Can families choose their own case manager?
How much does paediatric case management cost?
Do paediatric case managers work with schools?
What happens if we are unhappy with our case manager?
Why Choose OFH Care's Paediatric Case Management Services?
Selecting the right child case management service is a crucial decision. At OFH Care, we provide:
- Specialist expertise: Extensive experience with brain injuries, birth injuries, and long-term conditions.
- Trusted by solicitors: Clear, accurate reports and evidence for Court of Protection and litigation.
- Family-focused care: Practical, compassionate support for parents and carers.
- Multidisciplinary approach: Strong links with healthcare providers, schools, and therapists.
- Proven track record: Families & professionals across England and Wales trust our paediatric brain injury case management services.