Our Team
Health and Care Professions Council
All our Physiotherapists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You should always check that any Physiotherapist is registered with their professional body and you can do so by following the link below and using the Search function:
They are also registered with the Physiotherapy Union which is the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP).
All Therapists have Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks-these were formerly known as CRB checks. They are also up to date with Manual Handling and Safeguarding Children training.
Our Team
Sian Boffey
Director and Principal Physiotherapist
Sian has over 15 years experience in Paediatric Physiotherapy. Even as a physiotherapy student at Leeds Metropolitan University, Sian knew she wanted to work in paediatrics. Graduating in 2002 and having completed her basic rotations (including paediatrics) at Leighton Hospital, she was lucky enough to get her dream job in the neighbouring community Trust. Sian worked for the NHS for over 12 years before deciding to take the leap into the Private Sector. She set up Therapy Stars in 2014 because she believes that every child should be given the chance to reach their potential.
Sian has continued her studies, always looking for further ways to improve her skills and knowledge. She has attended post graduate courses in the Halliwick method of hydrotherapy, Symmetrikit sleep systems, Bobath Therapy, Spasticity, Sensory Integration, Paediatric kinesio-taping, Myofascial release and most recently APPI Pilates.
Sian is passionate about fostering a holistic approach to children’s therapy. Physiotherapy and home programmes are tailored to each child, and realistic goals are set alongside the child and his/her family. The programmes are always appropriate for the abilities and age of the individual.
Sian is a member of the HCPC, the CSP, the APCP (Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists), the CPTRH (Chartered Physiotherapists in Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy) and the ATACP (Aquatic Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists). Sian has presented lectures for both the APCP and at a Hippotherapy conference.
Away from Physiotherapy, Sian enjoys spending time with her family, playing netball and being by the sea!
Clare Burton
Physiotherapist
Clare qualified as a physiotherapist from Sheffield Hallam University in 2000, she has spent the last 9 years working in the field of paediatrics. Clare has experience working with children from birth to nineteen with a wide variety of conditions including neurological, developmental, musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions.
She has experience of working in outpatient clinics, the paediatric ward, client’s homes and educational settings. She also has experience of working with a wide variety of other professional services involved in a child’s care and values a collaborative approach to ensure the best possible outcome for the child.
Clare enjoys working with children and ensures she tailors her treatment to meet the needs of each child as an individual. Clare adopts an open and friendly, yet professional approach to clients and their families in order to develop good two-way communication and ensure their wishes, needs and goals are heard and at the centre of physiotherapy input.
Clare is passionate about continuing her professional development and has attended a wide variety of courses and training sessions including
– Introductory Bobath course: Treatment and Management of Children with Cerebral Palsy
– Breathing in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Bobath approach
– Balance Education and Movement Training
– Accredited Wheelchair Prescribers Course
– APCP Annual Conferences
– Level 1 Aquatic Therapy
– Makaton for Beginners
– Augmentative Communication Training
– Paediatric Respiratory Workshop
– APCP Community Respiratory Study Day
– Post Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation
Clare is a registered member of the HCPC and CSP
Prior to working in paediatrics Clare had a varied career working with adults for 11 years in the NHS and the MOD, gaining valuable skills in neurological rehabilitation, musculoskeletal and orthopaedics, respiratory care and trauma and amputee rehabilitation.
Clare made the decision to change to the field of paediatrics following the birth of her own children.
When not working Clare enjoys spending time with her family, walking in the Shropshire countryside, yoga, and attending live music and theatre events.
Sian Edwards
Customer Care Administrator
Sian works as our Office Manager and Customer Care Administrator. Sian has extensive experience in customer service, sales and administration, having previously worked in Estate Agency for many years. Sian currently works for a Graphics company alongside her role at Therapy Stars.
Sian has completed a HNC in Business, as well as NVQ in Business & Administration. She is conscientious, efficient and organised, which allows her to deliver an excellent level of customer care. Her bubbly personality and fun-loving nature also make her the perfect candidate to help to support our Clients and Families.
When not working, Sian loves reading (a lot!), walking and spending time with her teenage daughter, cat and rabbit! She lives in Penley so you may be lucky enough to meet her at our Physiotherapy Clinic.
Alison Morton
Physiotherapist Assistant
Alison has been a Paediatric Physiotherapy assistant for 11 years. She primarily works for NHS in a special school, helping to treat and manage children and young adults from 2-19 years old. She also carries out home visits when necessary and has worked on various rehabilitation wards at Leighton Hospital as holiday/illness cover.
Alison has previously gained qualifications in sports massage, personal training and Indian head massage. She has recently completed the Introduction to Paediatric Musculoskeletal Clinical Skills and attended an Etac R82 seminar on the subject of seating assessment training. In the future, Alison would love to complete a Physiotherapy degree.
Alison enjoys helping children and young adults work hard to achieve their goals in creative ways, whilst still making their Physiotherapy sessions fun. She is passionate about ensuring that any equipment is suitable and set up in the best way for all her Clients. Alison is calm, confident and conscientious.
In Alison’s spare time, you will always find her active! She enjoys swimming, running and cycling, as well as participating in running and triathlon events and pacing half marathons. Alison is also a valued member of the local St John’s Ambulance service and often volunteers her skills at concerts and events across the North West area.
Nick Emery
Physiotherapist
Nick qualified from Keele University in 2005 with a First Class Honours Degree in Physiotherapy. After qualification he worked at the Neuromuscular Centre in Winford treating people with genetically inherited diseases that affect muscles and nerves (neuromuscular disease).
In 2009 he took on a new position at the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital working in 3 areas; paediatrics, Neuromuscular and gait assessment/rehabilitation. The paediatric role encompasses the rehabilitation of children and young adults post surgery, musculoskeletal injury, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, DCD to name a few. The Neuromuscular role is the treatment of both adults and paediatrics. The gait (walking) aspect of his work is carried out in ORLAU, where he works as part of a team assessing the way people walk and providing splints (AFOs) to improve/normalise gait pattern.
Nick continued his studies achieving a PostGradDip in physiotherapy. In addition he has attended a variety of courses; Halliwick hydrotherapy, acupuncture, Kinesio taping, Jo Gibson shoulder course, Know Pain, Lorimer Moseley Explain Pain/Graded Motor Imagery.
Nick is passionate about ensuring a patient achieves their full potential with a carefully structured patient centred approach with agreed realistic goals.
Nick is member of the HCPC, the CSP and AACP.
Kate Strachan
Physiotherapist
Since graduating as a Physiotherapist from Keele University in 2011 Kate has worked across a variety of clinical specialties, including the Orthotic Research and Locomotor Assessment Unit (ORLAU), Musculoskeletal Outpatients, Neuromuscular Team, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Spinal Injuries and General Medicine.
Kate is registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Alongside her work with Therapy Stars Kate works in ORLAU and is a senior member of the specialist Neuromuscular team in the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital. She assesses and treats a wide range of adults and children with neurological, orthopaedic and musculoskeletal presentations, with particular interests in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), Orthotic assessment and provision, and gait analysis.
Kate is a quiet, confident and approachable professional who is pragmatic and ensures accurate treatment plans with patient led goals in mind. Ongoing learning is important to Kate and she has attended and presented numerous in-service training sessions over a wide range of subjects as well as attending externally organised events and professional training, as listed below:
- Ian Horsley Athletic Shoulder course
- Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) course
- Jo Gibson Shoulder course
- ATACP Jacqueline Pattman Aquatherapy course
- Mike Stewart Know Pain course
- Odstock Functional Electrical Stimulation – upper limb and lower limb courses
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP) research course
- Clinical Movement Analysis Society (CMAS) conferences
- Hemi Help conferences
- The Movement Centre (TMC) conferences.
During her own time Kate enjoys spending time with her family, two dogs and horse, walking, dining out and baking and going to the cinema. She also has a keen interest in cars and motorbikes.
Jill Absolon
Physiotherapist
With over 30 years’ experience in Paediatric Physiotherapy Jill joined Therapy Stars in January 2021.
Jill trained at Sheffield City Polytechnic and qualified in 1982. During her training she completed a paediatric placement at Sheffield Children’s Hospital and knew immediately that this would be the speciality for her.
Her first paediatric job was in 1984 at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and she has worked as a Community Paediatric Physiotherapist since moving to Shropshire in 1986. She was the Clinical Lead for Special Schools and Long Term Conditions linking in with Special Educational Needs and Disability prior to retiring in March 2021.
To celebrate 70 years of the NHS, she was nominated for a care and compassion award. These qualities encompass Jill’s approach towards the families that she feels privileged to work alongside.
Jill provides a holistic collaborative approach to the families that she supports. Her wealth of experience enables her to empathise and she prides herself on her communication, interpersonal skills and calm approachable manner.
Jill has a passion for supporting children and young people with complex needs, long term conditions, life limiting conditions and end of life care.
She also has many years of experience working with pre-school children where the importance of Early Intervention is recognised as a key to improving outcomes for these families.
She has vast experience working with children and young adults with a variety of conditions and diagnoses. She always puts the child or young adult at the centre of her approach and realistic goals are set in conjunction with them and their parent or carers.
Jill is a member of the Health Care Professions Council, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and The Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapist.
Jill is always looking at different ways to enable the families that she supports to keep the children and young adults interested and focussed on their activity programme to achieve the best outcome for all and is part of the Therapy Stars Hydrotherapy Service
When not working, Jill enjoys the outdoors including skiing, walking and cycling. She has a very close family network and enjoys nothing more than spending time with her family including looking after her first granddaughter.
If you would like to discuss in detail any problems or concerns that you have about your child and you think we can help please contact us.