Clinical Director, Aquatic Therapist and Paediatric Neuro Physiotherapist
Jo qualified as a physiotherapist from the University of Brighton in 2006 and completed a Master’s degree in Physiotherapy in 2012, the first year of which was specialising in Complex Physical Disability and Postural Management at Oxford Brookes University. Her studies have continued and Jo achieved distinction for a Post Graduate Certificate in Practice-Based Education and teaching in 2014 which supports her abilities to train, support and mentor Physiotherapists, families and care teams with their goals.
Jo has worked as a specialist clinician on the NHS in both complex physical disability in adults since 2006 and as a specialist practitioner in Paediatrics for the past 9 years, clinical skills include assessment of complex physical disability, Orthotic assessment and gait analysis, postural assessment and management, aquatic therapy, assessment and treatment of developmental delay, and working with babies and young children pre and post diagnosis in a tertiary and community setting. Jo completed the accredited EI SMART course in early intervention and development in 2020 for children with complex and emerging motor disorders and uses this approach to empower carers to support their children in every-day life.
Jo’s passion is Aquatic Therapy, she has comprehensive experience and understanding of this practice both in and out of the water, Jo developed a training pathway for carers and teachers to support children in the water for the NHS, has completed foundation and advanced courses with the ATACP and private providers in treating complex conditions in the water, and completed her accreditation in Aquatic Therapy in 2023. Jo is currently on the comprehensive WATSU® training pathway and has completed WATsU® 1 and is soon to complete WATSU® 2l qualifying her as an independent practitioner and provider in early 2026, she will be one of only 7 providers in the UK. She brings her WATSU® practice to promote opening movement in the water for children with complex disability.
Jo is a warm, compassionate and dedicated physiotherapist who brings both expertise and empathy to her work with children and families. She combines strong clinical skills with a thoughtful and organised approach, ensuring that therapy is both effective and family-centred. Jo is committed to supporting children to achieve their potential and to helping parents feel confident and empowered in their child’s development.
What our families say about Jo.
Jo treats L, her strength is improving day by day, it’s the heat, it allows her to relax more which makes her stronger as she can then do stuff in the water that she cannot do on land. The benefits to her, she sleeps better afterwards and for the week after she’s a lot more steady on her feet.
L.H.
Parent
The story that always sticks in my head about the wonderful work that you do Jo was regarding a home visit that you made to a little boy that had trouble sleeping, you ordered him a special cushion and now he sleeps so well that his mother has to wake him up to go to school. I would imagine that this has had an impact on his whole life, at home and in school, not only for him but for his family too.
R.F.
Parent
I’d say his movement has improved tremendously especially in his arms he also has a lot of fun being in the pool with Jo, he really enjoys it, it’s very important he gets a lot of pleasure out of it, and his movement is great.
Rob
Carer
The physio Jo that K works with, they’ve got a great relationship Jo’s always really welcoming really friendly and Kira really looks forward to seeing Jo, she gets very very excited knowing she’s coming to hydro which is lovely, she has improved dramatically, she’s able to swim unaided, climb up steps and her confidence has improved.
Sophie
Carer
“M had such a fantastic session with Jo (Aquatic), both myself (Dad) and her Mum shed a few tears seeing her with such freedom of movement in the water. We really appreciate everything star physio has done for M”.
M.C.
Parent