This Service is part of the Early Years SEN Inclusion Service. It is part of the National Portage Association. The Service employs Portage Home Visitors who work with families in their homes.

Who is the Service for?

Portage Home Visitors work with families whose babies are a few weeks old until the child reaches their third birthday. At this time the child is usually beginning to widen their horizons and attend their local early years setting. This is then a good time to transfer to the Area SENCO's in the Early Years SEN Inclusion Service who can support the early years setting in meeting the child's needs.

Children up to end of three years old is when most children are starting an early years setting the child can then transfer to the teachers and practitioners in the Early Years SEN Inclusion Service who can support them in their setting and into school.

What does a Portage Home Visitor do?

Finds out what the child can do across all areas of development
Decides with the parent or carer on some long term (for approximately 6 months) teaching targets
Breaks down the targets into small step activities
Shows the parent or carers how to teach the activities
Works closely with other professionals helping the child or family
Organises social events for children and families so that they can get together

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How can a child be referred?

Anyone can refer a child, for example, parents, early years settings (pre-schools, play groups and nurseries), health visitors or paediatricians.

There is a meeting every fortnight (called the Early Years Referral Panel).

People from the Early Years SEN Inclusion Service, the Psychology Service and the Autism Outreach Service discuss every child referred and decide which service (or services) is best placed to meet the child’s needs.

Helping Families and Carers

There are a number of support services available to families and children with additional needs in Leicestershire.

Many of our families’ access:

Menphys SOS, who also provide an Early Support programme

The Parent and Carers Council

The Parent Partnership Service

Face 2 Face

Leicester Downs Syndrome group

Steps- Conductive Education Centre

Scope- Cerebral palsy

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Moving On

Some of the children we have been working with go on to the specialist nurseries we have in Leicestershire:

The Wigston Menphys Centre

Sketchley Hill Specialist Nursery

Inclusive places at Shelthorpe Childrens Centre

FAQ’s

Does the service run all year?

No, the service runs on an academic timetable for 38 weeks of the year.

How often will a Portage Home Visitor come to my house?

Usually a Home Visitor will come weekly, but may visit fortnightly if this suits your family best.

Will information about me and my child be shared with other services?

We will share information about your child with other appropriate services to enable us to support them. However we will never pass information to another service with out your knowledge and only after we receive a signature from a parent or guardian giving us permission to do so.

More parents FAQ’s

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