Blog
Healthcare Spotlight: Conductive Education with Megan Baker House
02 Sep 2026
Conductive Education (CE) is a holistic method of learning that provides coping mechanisms and techniques to help participants manage mobility difficulties caused by their movement disorder. Education programmes work with the individual to promote accessibility and inclusion, while maximising their ability to learn and develop within an educational environment.
For children with movement disorders such as cerebral palsy, developmental delay, brain injuries, strokes and genetic conditions, Conductive Education can help develop movement, coordination, confidence and independence.
Tree of Hope Partners with Megan Baker House
Earlier this year, Tree of Hope partnered with Megan Baker House (MBH), a Conductive Education therapy centre that provides services for children with neurological motor disorders. Each child is actively involved in learning through CE sessions, with skills developed during sessions transferable to all aspects of everyday life.
Techniques are task-based rather than focusing solely on the medical aspect. Sessions combine engaging and structured activities with imaginative play and are always tailored to each child's unique needs. Children who receive Conductive Education can develop confidence, independence and vital life skills in a supportive environment.
We spoke to Sue Mechan, Head of Client Services at Megan Baker House (MBH), about the Conductive Education they offer and how it can improve outcomes for children and families seeking support.
Sue explained that their services “supports everyone that has a movement difficulty, for example, cerebral palsy, milestone delays, genetic conditions, brain injury, and even children who've had a stroke.”
What type of therapy does Conductive Education focus on?
The key distinction between traditional, medically based therapy and Conductive Education is its focus on teaching a person how to solve movement problems, rather than having a therapist passively move their limbs for them.
Because of this, equipment used as aids for CE includes simple and adapted equipment such as:
Everyday objects – cups, cutlery, clothing, toys and other items used in daily life.
Parallel bars – for supported standing and walking practice.
Steps and platforms – for practising stepping, balance and weight shifting.
Balls – for reaching, throwing, catching and coordination.
Adapted chairs and seating – to support good posture.
Exercises and sessions are adapted to each child's individual needs, but tend to focus on activities that can help children develop skills they can use in their day-to-day lives.
These may include:
Sitting and posture
Rolling and transitioning
Standing and walking
Upper-body and leg exercises
Balance and coordination
Fine-motor skills
Functional skills
"Parents come to us to progress the whole child. They want them to stand, to walk, to sit, and use their balance. But we teach the whole child, for example to improve their confidence, their social skills, anything really that could make them lead an independent life or quality of life.
For example, when a child is being lifted out of the wheelchair into another chair, we will [instead] find the way where they can do that transfer themselves. We will break the task down into little sections so that they are able to learn in their own time.
No one is rushed, and because it takes longer for a child to learn rather than just to whip them out the chair into another chair, we expect to see the whole child improve, communication, movement, sitting balance, to be able to play with toys, to reach out, grasp, release, and to play with their siblings or even other adults.”
Head of Client Services at MBH
When is the best time to begin Conductive Education?
Children and adults can begin Conductive Education at any stage of their lives, as improvements can be made at any time. However, as with many forms of intervention, starting as early as possible can help establish habits and patterns from an early age.
Sue explained one case in which “a parent reached out and asked if there was anything that they could do while their child was in intensive care in an incubator, and we gave them a few little tasks to do while they were sitting nearby. They completed that and then the child came to us after!”.
What does Megan Baker House offer?
Megan Baker House was created in 2002 by parents Jo and Dave, who had previously taken their daughter Megan to Hungary, the birthplace of Conductive Education, to receive CE. This became extremely costly, so they founded a small CE centre in the UK shortly before Megan sadly passed away.
Today, the centre is based in Herefordshire and has become a popular centre for families who travel from across the UK and even from abroad to attend.
Due to increasing demand, Megan Baker House now also runs a Reach out service, operating within Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire for families who cannot travel to their base in Herefordshire, and they even attend select schools within the area.
How can families access Conductive Education at Megan Baker House?
Megan Baker House heavily subsidises all Conductive Education sessions, helping to lower the cost for clients. Anyone with a movement disorder can refer themselves to Megan Baker House.
Families can reach out to Megan Baker House directly via their contact form.
Children will require an assessment before beginning their journey with MBH. This will need to be booked with Sue via email at sue@meganbakerhouse.org.uk.
Intensive sessions are also available and will need to be booked with Sue.
How can Tree of Hope help families access Conductive Education?
While the cost of Conductive Education sessions is reduced through Megan Baker House's subsidies, funding therapy can still be a concern for families. Families may also need to purchase specialist equipment so their child can continue practising CE-based activities and skills at home.
This is where Tree of Hope can help.
Tree of Hope helps families raise money for children and young people to access medical treatments and healthcare services that are not freely available through the NHS and social care. This can include private therapies, specialist equipment and other healthcare needs that can make a meaningful difference to a child's life.
The charity provides fundraising guidance, campaign development, financial management, charity registration and emotional support from the Family Support team. Families benefit from having the support, tools and resources to fundraise effectively, as well as access to Gift Aid and corporate support, while also providing donor reassurance.
Fundraising through a registered charity like Tree of Hope can provide reassurance to donors and businesses, helping families build trust while raising money for private therapies, specialist equipment and medical treatment.
Families can also benefit from charity fundraising expertise, Gift Aid and support with grant applications, allowing them to focus on what matters most – their child.
Could Tree of Hope help your family?
If your child has cerebral palsy, a brain injury, developmental delay, a stroke, a genetic condition or another movement disorder, Conductive Education could be one of the therapies available to support their development and independence.
And if you already access Conductive Education but are worried about the cost of sessions or specialist equipment, Tree of Hope may be able to help you raise the funds your child needs. Find out more, here
