The MOVE Programme
The MOVE Programme is a unique activity-based programme focused on the skills essential to independence within the home, school and community. It draws together knowledge from the family unit, education, therapy and social services in six steps, to teach severely disabled children and adults the skills of sitting, standing, walking and transferring. This takes place within the context of meaningful, everyday activities practiced in the child’s/adult’s normal setting, in their school/centre, at home and in their community.
The MOVE Programme is not a therapy technique nor is it prescriptive, it therefore does not come into conflict with any therapy or learning approaches. It is a planning tool which ensures the child/adult’s programme meets their individual needs. Whatever is relevant for that child/adult is incorporated under the MOVE umbrella. The aim of MOVE is to ensure everyone reaches their full potential by integrating the skills and knowledge of everyone in the team around the child/adult.
The MOVE Programme is suitable for anyone who has not leant to sit, stand or walk by the normal developmental age, or has lost these core skills through illness (including strokes), inactivity or accident. No one is considered too old or too disabled, cognitively or physically, although there are some pre-existing conditions (such as brittle bones or severe orthopaedic difficulties) that may prevent its use. Therefore it is important to have someone with a medical background e.g. a therapist on each MOVE team.
Central to the MOVE Programme is the participation of the child’s/adult’s entire care team, including family members, professional carers, teachers, learning assistants, therapists and anyone else who acts in a supporting role. Through this goal-orientated approach involving meaningful skills, the team is able to work to targets chosen by the individual and/or their family, thereby enabling performance to the best of the individual’s ability.
With the focus on skills that are meaningful in everyday family life, the programme ensures that family members are directly involved in and can contribute daily to the child’s/adult’s sustained progress. The range of goals to be worked on can be as varied as the individuals concerned, and ensure that their achievements have a substantial influence in their own lives as well as those of their families and other carers. For one child, a chosen goal might be to join their peer group in the playground to participate in a game of football using a walker. For another, it might be to raise their head independently to look out of the window or to sit unsupported in a normal chair whilst joining in with a family meal.
To find out further details on exactly how MOVE benefits those on the programme click for benefits and supporting evidence and academic research.
Accessing the MOVE Programme