Community directory

National Portage Association

Portage is a home-visiting service for pre-school children who have special needs. It is based on the common-sense principle that parents are the key figures in the care and development of their child.

Portage assesses the needs of young children with learning difficulties, including those with physical disabilities, and then, in partnership with parents, builds on the abilities the child already has, teaching skills the child has yet to master. A portage team of home visitors offers a carefully structured but flexible system to help parents become effective teachers of their own children.

Parents who enrol with a portage scheme receive regular weekly visits from a home visitor. At first the child's current development is observed and recorded using a checklist across six areas: infant stimulation, social, language, self help, cognitive and motor development. In this way parents and home visitor compile the information on which they can build future teaching.

Memberships costs are £20.00.

Date of AGM: September.

Registered charity number 327306