Portage Service - Reading

Brighter Futures for Children

What is Portage?

Portage is an early intervention programme that supports children within their own home, working in partnership with parents and carers.

The Reading Portage service helps families in Reading with young children (0-4 years old) who need extra help with their development. Portage support can happen at home with family or at a venue in a group. Families who are referred to the Portage service will receive an initial visit to determine which criteria they meet and will be offered either targeted Portage or specialist Portage.

 

How do I refer to Portage?

Referrals for Portage support can be by parents or professionals and can be made via the Children’s Single Point of Access.

 

What does Portage support look like?

Portage is delivered in the home, in a group or a combination of both. 

Families who are referred to the Portage service will receive an initial visit to determine which criteria they meet and will be offered either targeted Portage or specialist Portage.

 

Targeted Portage support

Families are invited to attend Portage group sessions and will receive advice & guidance from a Portage worker throughout this time.  

 

Specialist Portage support 

It starts with a full assessment of the child's development. Then, together with parents, long-term goals are set for the child's development with a plan for educational activities that the family can do at home. Parents get support from a Portage worker during home visits and in-between visits. These visits include three key elements of structured teaching, child-led play, and helping the whole family.

Every cycle of support (on average 10 visits), the family will be reviewed to check whether they still need ongoing Portage support.

 

If you would like any further information on Portage and the support we can offer please see contact details below. 

Who to contact

Contact Name
Jessica Kenward
Contact Position
Senior Portage Home Visitor
Telephone
07773 197126 07773 197126
E-mail
[Jessica.Kenward@brighterfuturesforchildren.org, Portage@brighterfuturesforchildren.org]
Website
Brighter Futures for Children ~ Early Help ~ Support we offer
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Availability

Age Ranges
6 months - 4 years
Referral required
Yes
Referral Details

Requests for our involvement may come directly from parents and carers or professionals (with parental consent) through the Children's Single Point of Access. Please complete a referral form. Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) ~ Children's Single Point of Access (CSPoA)

Age Range: 6+ months- entry into a maintained nursery or school

Portage is suitable if:

The child is of Pre-school age and at least two terms before entering school.

The child has a significant delay in at least two areas of their development.

Local Offer

Contact Name
Jessica Kenward
Contact Telephone
07773 197126
Contact Email
Jessica.Kenward@brighterfuturesforchildren.org Portage@brighterfuturesforchildren.org
Local Offer Age Bands
Early Years (0-4 years)
SEN Provision Type
Targeted

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Disclaimer

This information has been collected from third party providers therefore the Reading Services Guide, Reading Borough Council (RBC) and Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of this information and recommends that parents, carers, young people, residents and professionals check with providers regarding DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) and OFSTED registrations and CQC registrations. Information collected by Reading Service Guide; is used solely to implement and supply the Family Information Service (FIS), Special Educational Needs & Disabilities - Reading's Local Offer, Adults & Carers Support Group and Reading Youth.

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Last Updated

Last updated:

Contact the Team

Family Information Service

fis@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2

SEND Local Offer

localoffer@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2

Adult & Carers Support

CSAAdvice.Signposting@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3747 0118 937 3747
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