BCP Portage Early Advice

Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP Council) Portage Service

When

What

Portage early advice is a blended offer which includes a block of four online information sessions where parents can gain information, advice and practical play and learning ideas. These sessions are followed by two individual home visits with a named Portage officer. This offer is for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) who meet Portage criteria and are already accessing their full early years education funding in a pre-school, nursery or childminder setting.

Portage Early Advice is a block of six specialist advice and support sessions delivered by the BCP Council Portage Service to parents of children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) who are already accessing their full entitlement of two or three years early education funding in a pre-school, nursery or childminder setting. These hour-long sessions will be delivered by two friendly Portage officers who are experienced in working with children with SEND and trained in the Portage ‘Small Steps Approach to Learning’.

How does it work?

Virtual information, advice, and support sessions:
You will be invited to attend four online group sessions delivered via Microsoft Teams each lasting for one hour. A link to the sessions will be sent to you via email. Each session will cover a different topic. Portage play and learning activities and communication strategies will be explained and modelled, with practical ideas given for you to try at home. To get the most out of this Portage offer you will need to attend all four sessions.

Week 1:
An introduction to the Portage ‘Small Steps Approach to Learning’ including developing
play and interaction.
Week 2:
An introduction to a Total Communication Approach including signing, visual support
strategies and Promoting Early Interactive Conversations – Dorset (PEIC-D.)
Week 3:
Understanding and responding positively to children’s social and emotional needs and
behaviours.
Week 4:
Ideas to support children’s physical development, including self-care skills and sensory needs.

There will be an opportunity to chat to experienced Portage officers, other parents and ask questions. Please note that your child does not need to be present for these virtual sessions. We ask that you keep your camera on so we can see and interact with you.

Portage home visits

At the end of the four group sessions, you will be offered appointments for two follow up Portage home visits with a member of the Portage team. These individual home visits will last for approximately an hour and provide an opportunity to work directly with you and your child on some of the learning activities/communication strategies introduced during sessions one to four.
You will be given Portage activities to try and be expected to implement these play activities at home. The final home visit will be a chance to review what you have learned, and the Portage officer will suggest and model ideas and next steps for you to support your child’s home learning. With your permission, they will also liaise with your child’s nursery, pre-school or childminder to support a consistent approach to learning.

For further information or to book a place contact:

Helen Jones, Portage Team Manager

E: helen.jones@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

T: 07824 521 406

SEND specialist