Development support for young children with SEND (Portage Service)
Portage is an Early Intervention programme that supports children within their own home, working in partnership with parents and carers.
What is Portage
Portage is an Early Years Education Programme for children living in Buckinghamshire. It is primarily for:
- Children under 3 years old,
- who are significantly delayed in a minimum of two areas of their development
- and/or have a known diagnosis.
Portage is a home visiting Service. Portage works directly with children in their home environment and in partnership with parents/carers.
The Buckinghamshire Portage Service is a registered service with the National Portage Association (NPA). They adhere to the NPA's principles. Portage sessions will incorporate the 3 portage Elements:
- child-led play
- family focus
- structured teaching
What does the Portage Service offer
The Portage Service offers:
- A bespoke programme of play activities based on the child's needs. Where possible, it supports the closing of gaps in a child's development using different strategies and techniques.
- A small step approach to learning and celebrating the achievement of new skills.
- A holistic approach to children’s learning. It implements identified, appropriate and achievable development goals.
- Support to empower parents. Giving them confidence to successfully engage in their child's learning, communication and play.
- Monitoring and ongoing developmental assessments of current and emerging skills.
- Joint working with other agencies and therapy services.
- Signposting to other agencies and services.
- Support for children transitioning into an Early Years provision.
- A programme of 6 sessions, with a full review to determine the next appropriate steps.
How to receive Portage
All initial enquiries need to be made to the Portage Co-ordinator by:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 01296 387 000 (Option 7)
Our preferred route of referrals is from professionals known to/already working with your child. For example, Health Visitors and therapists. Or following a recommended outcome from a child’s Early Years Notification.
All referrals are triaged. An initial development assessment visit may be offered. This is to determine whether a child meets the criteria to receive Portage.
Children meeting criteria, who are not yet attending an Early Years Setting will be prioritised. Children meeting the criteria who are known to Social Care will be prioritised.
Do children require a diagnosis to receive Portage?
No.
Can children attending an Early Years Setting still receive Portage?
Yes, but this will depend on some factors. For example:
- the age of the child
- how many hours they are attending
- whether they meet the access criteria
How long do children receive Portage for?
This varies depending on the age and needs of the child.
All children are offered a portage programme consisting of 6 sessions. A full review will take place in session 5 to consider the next beneficial steps for that child. The outcome decision will be shared with the parent/carer. Portage sessions generally take place twice a month.
Can children have their portage sessions in the Early Years Setting instead of the home environment?
No. This is because Portage is a home visiting programme in which we work in partnerships with parents/carers. Parents/carers take part during the sessions. They are taught different teaching techniques to support their child’s learning at home.
Can the Portage Worker visit an Early Years Setting?
Yes. The Portage Worker can arrange visits to their setting for:
- transition purposes
- to share goals and teaching strategies with key workers
Are you able to offer joint sessions with other professionals?
Yes. The Portage Service can offer joint sessions with:
- Physiotherapists
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Specialist Teachers
How much time and involvement are expected from parents/carers?
Parents/carers are expected to participate fully in the sessions. This is to enhance their own child’s development and learning. Parents/carers need to be able to commit to practising the agreed play activities, techniques and strategies. This is ideally daily for a minimum of 5 to 10 minutes at any one time.
Additional information about the Portage Service
If Portage sessions are frequently cancelled, the service may be withdrawn.
All Portage Workers are experienced, qualified Early Years Practitioners. They have undertaken an extra qualification with the NPA. This is essential to their role.
They have undertaken extra SEND training. For example, Makaton Sign Language and autism training.
Portage sessions may implement:
- language and communication programmes specifically for children with Down Syndrome (‘See and Learn’.
- Communication and touch through sensory play. This is for children with more profound and complex needs (TACPAC).
- ‘Curiosity Approach’ and ‘Intensive Interaction’ strategies. This is to support early communication, attention and listening skills for children with social communication delay.