Lauren Southern | The Harrogate Physio

South Yorkshire

26 Oct

HCPC No: PH75959

Overview

Lauren Southern, MCSP, SRP - Inclusive Specialist Neurological & Learning Disability Physiotherapist for Children & Adults

Lauren qualified from the University of Birmingham in 2005. She is a chartered and HCPC-registered Physiotherapist with over 20 years of experience working in the NHS, charitable, educational, and private sectors. Lauren is particularly passionate about 24-hour postural care, focusing on protecting body shape and maximising comfort, function, and independence. She specialises in treating neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, MS, stroke, head injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Lauren has extensive experience working with individuals with complex physical health needs, learning disabilities, cognitive impairments, speech and language disorders, and neuro-developmental conditions including Autism and ADHD.

After completing core Band 5 rotations within the NHS, Lauren specialised as a Band 6 Learning Disability Physiotherapist with the Harrogate Community Learning Disability Team for 9 years. Alongside this role, Lauren worked as an Associate Community Physiotherapist for a specialist neurological physiotherapy practice. In January 2023, Lauren moved wholly into private practice, working at a specialist further education college, helping to enhance their physiotherapy provision. This included postural care, hydrotherapy, rebound therapy, adapted tai chi, yoga and mindful movement. Lauren worked with the education teams to embed daily physiotherapy within their curriculum.

Lauren is an active member of the Aquatic Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (ATACP) and has over a decade of experience in hydrotherapy with children and adults with neurological conditions. Lauren qualified as a Level 1 Halliwick Instructor in 2024, also enabling her to teach swimming for individuals with disabilities.

Lauren is trained in Rebound Therapy (therapeutic trampolining) for people with physical and learning disabilities and enjoys being creative and putting the ‘fun’ into therapy. Lauren has completed training in Bobath therapy for children with cerebral palsy to enhance her therapeutic handling and treatment skills.

In March 2026, Lauren completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Advancing Practice - Equine-Assisted Therapy, with Ulster University and has been a Member of ACPEA since 2025. For the past year, Lauren has practiced mounted equine-assisted physiotherapy under the supervision and mentorship of Elizabeth Beckerlegge, Director of 'Riding for Rehab' in York and upon qualifying as an Equine-Assisted Physiotherapist in March continues to practice in York one day per week, while exploring opportunities to set up an Equine-Assisted Physiotherapy service in Harrogate and Leeds.

Lauren is committed to evidence-based practice, regular training as part of continuous professional development and believes in maximising individual clients' potential through a holistic and collaborative approach.

Postgraduate Training Highlights:
• Postgraduate Certificate in Advancing Practice – Equine-Assisted Therapy with Ulster University (2026)
• Moving and Handling ‘Train the Trainer’ Training with Yorkshire Back Exchange (2024)
• Bobath Training course for Paediatric Physiotherapists (2024)
• Halliwick Association of Swimming Therapy Foundation Course (2024)
• Management of Physical Disability 24-7 Postural Care Course (2023)
• Simple Stuff Works - Body Shape Protection and Sleep System training (2023)
• ATACP Aquatic Physiotherapy for People with Neurological Conditions and Learning Disabilities training course (2023)
• Rebound Therapy course (Rebound.org) (2023)
• Fatigue Management Course (2021)
• Adapted Tai Chi Training (2021)
• Specialist soft tissue massage, Emmett Technique and myofascial release training. (2023)
• Balance Assessment and Rehabilitation training (2019)

Lauren is registered with:
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) PH75959

Member of:
• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) 075262
• Association of Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Neurology (ACPIN)
• Association of Chartered Physiotherapists working with People with Learning Disabilities (ACPPLD)
• Aquatic Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (ATACP)
• Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP)
• Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Equine Activities (ACPEA)

Specialisms

Adult Learning Disability · Adult Neurology · Aquatic Therapy · Equine Assisted Therapy · Equine Facilitated Physiotherapy · Hippotherapy · Older People · Paediatric Learning Disability · Paediatric Neurology · Paediatrics · Rebound Therapy · Trauma and Orthopaedics