Portage in Lincolnshire is an educational support service delivered in the home or in group community-based settings, for children aged 0-5 (up to their 5^th birthday) that have a SEND diagnosis or suspected diagnosis which is impacting on their education development. 

Portage is a model that adapts flexibly to individual children and family needs and works in partnership with parents/carers alongside other relevant agencies involved, to assist in creating a holistic profile in supporting the personalised and targeted approach for every child. 

Portage offers specialist play experiences and assessments with the aim to improve areas of children’s development following a small step approach, by providing be spoke teaching and learning opportunities to develop skills, confidence and enable families to feel included in their community.

Experienced Portage Practitioners model activities and strategies, for parents/ carers to practice between home visits or group sessions with the aim to empowering parents/carers to build on their child’s strengths as they play and learn together, looking ahead to transitioning into the wider provision and access to their Early Years entitlement. For Portage to be effective parents must be committed to carrying out the activities and/ or suggested strategies consistently on a regular basis.

The ELPSS team will also offer workshops and/or webinars based on the identified needs of families.

The ELPSS team provide a service across 39 weeks of the year following the school term timetable

Referrals are completed by professionals or parent/carers and triaged by a multi-agency panel which is held fortnightly during the school term, to agree the most appropriate pathway of support to offer.

Families will be offered one of the three core pathways of support based on the identified need.   

• Pathway 1 - Portage Stepping Stones Group: a small targeted group delivered over 6 sessions in local Children’s Centres and Family Hubs, aimed at supporting the development of social and communication skills, play and sensory integration.
• Pathway 2 - Transition support: time limited home visits, 6 home visits to primarily support a broader picture of a child’s needs to enhance transition support into nursery or the wider provision
• Pathway 3 - Core Portage: 6 months of home visiting, to deliver a small step approach to support the development of children identified with having significant developmental delays which greatly impact on their access to education.

Referrals are available by completing this form and returning it to Ann Ordish, ELPSS Coordinator: referrals@elportageservice.co.uk