At JMW Solicitors, we are committed to supporting families of children with disabilities, helping them gain access to essential resources and support that can transform their lives. We believe in giving these children the best possible chance to reach their full potential, particularly through specialist therapies that promote independence and development.

Our partnership with Brainwave is built on a shared dedication to empowering children and their families. Brainwave is a life-changing charity that provides tailored therapy programmes designed to improve mobility, communication and learning skills for children affected by brain injuries. By working together, we aim to connect families with Brainwave’s expert support, ensuring they have access to the guidance and therapies that can make a real difference in their daily lives, whilst also ensuring they have access to the best legal advice. 

JMW’s specialist solicitors understand that families navigating life with a child with complex needs face immense challenges. That’s why we are proud to support Brainwave’s mission, and their work to help children affected by brain injury to unlock their potential.

Who are Brainwave?

Brainwave is a UK wide charity dedicated to empowering children with disabilities to achieve greater independence and improve their quality of life. Through specialised therapy programmes, Brainwave helps children with conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, and Down’s syndrome to develop their mobility, communication skills and learning potential.

Brainwave’s mission centres on delivering accessible, high-quality therapy services tailored to each child’s needs. The charity operates with values of professionalism, integrity, and passion, believing every child should have the opportunity to unlock their full potential. Brainwave’s qualified therapists from the disciplines of physiotherapy, sensory integration, speech and language therapy and learning and development work closely with families to create personalised programmes and teach them to continue these at home. This family-focused approach integrates therapy as a seamless part of daily life, which enhances the child’s progress over time.

Brainwave is committed to expanding its reach and ensuring its vital services are sustainable, aiming to provide long-term support to families across the UK. By offering flexible and adaptable therapy options, Brainwave ensures that children can progress at their own pace in building confidence and independence in a supportive environment.

For more details on Brainwave’s mission, vision, and values, visit their website.

What does Brainwave do?

Brainwave offers a comprehensive range of services for children with disabilities, with a focus on improving key skills such as mobility, communication, and cognitive development. This includes:

• Customised therapy programmes: Brainwave therapists work with families to assess each child’s specific needs. They provide a full-day initial assessment with two therapists, followed by one-day reassessments every four to six months.
• Specialist facilities and resources: Therapy sessions are enhanced with sensory rooms and adapted exercise spaces designed to make therapy enjoyable and engaging whilst accommodating the child’s unique sensory and physical needs.
• Regular progress reviews: Families have access to ongoing assessments, where therapists monitor progress and adjust the therapy programme as needed to align with the child’s development.
• Family support and training: Brainwave provides training for families, equipping them with the skills to deliver effective therapy at home. The exercises they recommend for children are designed to fit around the structure of their daily lives, and families are provided with written Therapy Programmes and a video of the exercises as a reminder.
• Access to a multidisciplinary team: With professionals from various therapy fields, Brainwave offers holistic support that addresses multiple areas of development, helping to maximise the child’s potential across their physical, communication, and cognitive abilities.
• Family Facilitator: Supports families both pre and post assessment to ensure they have all the information they need prior to the initial assessment and checking in afterwards that everything went well, and they fully understand the programme provided.

The charity offers support across the UK and beyond through various methods:

• In-person assessments and therapy at their National Therapy Assessment Centre in Somerset, Outreach Hubs in Warrington, Essex, and Scotland.
• Home visits for those that can’t access their Centre or Outreach Hubs
• Virtual reassessments through their Brainwave Online service

Across all of these services, Brainwave offers a relaxed, fun, and friendly atmosphere to help put children and families at ease and give them reassurance.

JMW’s Support for Brainwave

JMW’s medical negligence team will be assisting Brainwave families by offering bespoke legal support to those who may have questions about their rights, particularly if there are concerns about medical care. Our partnership with Brainwave aligns with our expertise in clinical negligence, especially for cases involving children with brain injuries.

We’ll be on hand to help families who want more information about their rights, and who may want to speak to a specialist legal professional if they suspect that their child’s disability was caused by problems with their medical treatment. Our medical negligence solicitors Eddie Jones, Melissa Gardner and Steven Brown will all be available to organise free confidential discussions with Brainwave families, listening to their stories and explaining how we can use the law to help them.

We offer no win, no fee agreements and legal aid where eligible, ensuring access to support without needing to worry about the financial aspect. Our team can provide assistance in various legal areas that Brainwave families may need, such as:

• Helping families address concerns related to birth injuries or other medical incidents that may have caused harm.
• Providing guidance and legal help for children or family members who have sustained serious injuries.
• Ensuring that families have the necessary deputyships, powers of attorney and other legal arrangements in place for managing decisions on behalf of their loved ones.
• Offering advice to secure a child’s future by setting up wills, trusts and other legal structures for financial and care planning.

In order to help Brainwave families to find us, JMW leaflets will be available wherever they provide support across the country, and Brainwave’s Family Facilitator and soon to be recruited Family Support Worker, will signpost families who could benefit from our assistance.

The mother of one child who has been supported by both JMW and Brainwave had this to say about the new partnership: “This partnership with Brainwave is a wonderful opportunity for JMW to provide support to families accessing the Brainwave service, as they will be able to benefit from the kindness, commitment and professionalism from everyone at JMW - which is something that every family needs when dealing with a difficult situation.

“My experience with JMW has been overwhelmingly positive, and they have provided myself and my child with impeccable support and advice throughout the entire process. Everyone at JMW is kind, thoughtful and practical, and has helped with signposting me towards further support and guidance for all issues and concerns that I have discussed with them. By helping us throughout the entire process, JMW has allowed my son to live his life to the fullest that he possibly can and has worked towards securing a future which will benefit him greatly.

“Highly specialist firms such as JMW are made up of very experienced and knowledgeable individuals, who can be trusted to make informed and competent decisions. It is really helpful to seek out advice from a specialist firm, as it is a huge reassurance to know that you are working with people who will give accurate and realistic advice and information with the best interest for your child in mind.”