Car Seats
We understand that travelling with a child with FOP may have unique needs can require a little extra care. A standard car seat may not provide the right support for your little one, and that’s where a special needs car seat becomes a fantastic solution.
These seats are designed with special features like additional postural support, head stability, and space for medical equipment, making every journey more comfortable. They’re about so much more than meeting safety standards; they’re about giving you peace of mind and ensuring your child is secure and happy on every trip.
The journey to finding the right car seat for your child often begins with a chat with your Occupational Therapist. Their primary role is to provide an expert assessment to ensure you find the safest solution for your little one. They’ll evaluate your child’s physical and behavioural needs, recommend specific features or models, and provide a professional report to support your application for funding from other sources. This guidance is a crucial first step, particularly as a specialist supplier may be needed if your child has very specific needs.
The good news is that there are many fantastic UK charities dedicated to helping families with this kind of equipment. This is the most common and successful route for funding a special needs car seat.
You can also explore other avenues for support, such as a grant from your local council’s social services department or the Motability Foundation if you qualify. While funding for this type of equipment isn’t typically available through the NHS or local authority services, these other options are here to help.
Having a Motability car can be a significant advantage when getting a specialist car seat, particularly if the seat is part of a larger vehicle adaptation to meet your child’s needs.
Integrated Adaptations: The Motability Scheme is designed to provide a vehicle that meets your specific mobility needs. An adapted car seat is often considered a vehicle adaptation. You can discuss the required seat with an approved adaptations installer, who will work with your chosen dealer to ensure the car you order is compatible and the seat is fitted before you even receive the vehicle. This simplifies the process and ensures everything works together seamlessly.
Financial Assistance: While the car seat itself is a piece of equipment and not a standard vehicle adaptation, the Motability Foundation, the charity behind the scheme, can offer grants to help with the costs. If the recommended car seat is a vital part of your child’s mobility solution, you can apply for a grant to help with its cost. This is often a means-tested process, but it’s a dedicated funding stream for those using the scheme.
Expert Guidance: The scheme gives you access to a network of Motability-accredited dealers and adaptation installers. These specialists have experience with a wide range of disability needs and can provide expert advice to ensure you get the right vehicle and the correct fittings for the specialist car seat.
Get started here: Motability Scheme
Scroll down the page to find out if you are eligible.
