National Portage Association

Kings Court
17 School Road
Hall Green
Birmingham
B28 8JG

Tel: 0121 244 1807
Web: www.portage.org.uk

The National Portage Association operates a scheme, available in some areas, to families with pre-school children. It is a home visiting service aimed at helping young children with special needs. This could include children with developmental delays, physical disabilities, language and sensory difficulties. Features of the scheme are as follows:

• Portage is based on parental involvement, structured teaching and positive monitoring. The teaching provides intensive support to the child at home, on either a short or long term basis. Very young children with disabilities, even in their first year, can be included.
• Portage home teachers are drawn from a variety of backgrounds who are trained in the Portage Model. They visit the home and plan learning activities and management strategies, which parents and child work on during the week.
• Portage trained teachers have available toys and materials for use in the home. They will also consult with other professionals such as speech therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, who may be involved with the family.
• Referrals are accepted from a variety of sources including health visitors, social workers, the paediatric department of the local hospital, GPs or from other people who work with young children, such as early years workers. Parents/carers can also contact the scheme directly.
• Portage schemes are run in close liaison with the Local Education Authority, Social Services and Health Department.

Contact the Association (address above) for information about local schemes.