Portage
Helping every child reach their potential
Our Portage team works alongside families of young children with complex needs, providing personalised support at home. By focusing on what children can do and breaking learning into small, achievable steps, we make learning through play fun, rewarding, and meaningful for both children and parents.
How Portage can support a child and family attending my setting
Portage helps young children with significant additional needs develop through play, communication, and everyday learning. Working alongside parents, our Portage Officers provide tailored support, practical strategies, and achievable next steps, helping children make progress while building family confidence.
Eligibility criteria
A child:
- should live in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole, and be aged under 3 years
- must have significant delays across three areas of development equivalent to 50% of their age or have a recognised syndrome that is likely to have a significant impact on learning and development
- must be accessing less than ten hours childcare with an early years provider
How to request Portage advice and support
Parents and professionals can make a referral to the service using the Early Years SEND request for support online form.
The referral must include sufficient information to show the child meets the Portage learning and development criteria.
This information can be provided by emailing supporting documents to eysend@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or typing additional information into the referral form.
Priority and waiting lists
Due to high demand the service has a wait list in operation. Referrals are triaged and support will be prioritised for children who:
- are either Looked After, Child Protection or Child in Need status
- have the most complex SEND needs who are not accessing an early years setting, and support is needed to facilitate a successful transition to a setting
- were referred earliest (for example on a ‘first come, first served’ basis)
What to expect when a child under Portage is due to start at your setting
When a child supported by Portage is preparing to start in your provision, a Portage Officer will contact your SENCo to arrange a transition meeting. This meeting includes parents, the setting, and any relevant professionals, and focuses on ensuring a smooth and successful start.
Information about the child’s development, strategies, and current learning plan will be shared (with parental consent), and a transition plan will be agreed. Ongoing communication may also take place to support the child’s settling-in process and ensure consistency between home and the setting.
Contact us
You can contact the Portage team by email at portage@bcpcouncil.gov.uk