Northumberland Portage Service

Avialable Monday - Friday, 9am to 4pm

Please contact Sarah Bott, Administrative Assistant,  07966 774425

Email:  Sarah.Bott01@northumberland.gov.uk


Where to go: Northumberland Inclusive Education ServiceLow Incidence Needs Team (LINT), Portage ServiceRiverside Centre, Armstrong Way, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 0YD

Nature of work:

  • Advice/information
  • 1:1 Support
  • Family Support
  • Education

View information on the Pre-School Portage Service from Northumberland County Council

Who to contact

Contact Name
Sarah Bott
Contact Position
Administrative Assistant
Telephone
01670 622741
07966 774425
E-mail
Sarah.Bott01@northumberland.gov.uk

Where to go

Name
Riverside Centre
Address
Aesca House
Armstrong Way
Ashington
Northumberland
Postcode
NE63 0YD
Notes

Portage referal forms available from NCC Website

When is it on?

Date & Time Information
Avialable Monday - Friday, 9am to 4pm
Time of day
Morning
Afternoon

Other details

Referral required?
Yes
Referral and availability notes

Portage referral form available from NCC website

 

https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Children/Needs/Portage.aspx#portageservice

 

Local Offer

Local Offer Description

Name of Service:

Northumberland Portage Service

 

 https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/SearchResults.aspx?searchtext=portage&searchmode=anyword&searchtype=services

 

 What does your service do?

 Portage is a home teaching service for pre-school children with additional needs.  It helps parents and carers to support their child’s learning.

Parents and carers agree an appropriate time for a visit with their portage home visitor. Each visit takes place at home and will last for approximately one hour.   Together parents, carers and home visitors plan activities to encourage and promote their child’s development.

 The Portage Home Visitor shares information and supports the child’s transition into a preschool setting/school.

 2. Where is it located and what areas does it cover?

Currently based at Aesca House, South View, Ashington, NE63 0SF, the Portage Service visits children who live in Northumberland.

  3. Who does your service provide for?

The Portage Service works with children birth to five years, where there are significant delays in at least two areas of a child’s development.

PLEASE NOTE: We work with children aged birth to five, however we must work with the child for at least two terms before they enter full time education. If this is not possible, the child is not likely to be accepted for our Portage service.

 4. How can I start using the service?

 Parents, carers or professionals can refer to the Portage Service.  A referral form can be downloaded from the Portage Website.

 5. How are decisions made about who can use your service?

The Portage Lead will visit the child in the home and carry out an initial visit.  A decision will be made after discussion with the parent/carer as to whether the child meets the criteria (available on the website) for the Service.

 6. How do you communicate with service users and how are they involved in decision making/planning?

Service users can access leaflets about Portage and what to expect from the Portage Service via our website.

Portage 2 day training workshops plus a follow up day are run every year which parents and professionals can attend.

The Portage Home Visitor will regularly review a child’s progress and provide progress reports for the parent/carer.  They will also be passed on with consent from the parent/carer to professionals involved with the child. 

 7. Is your service fully accessible?

 The Portage Service visits children in their homes.

 8. What training are the staff supporting children and young people with SEND had or are having?

 Portage Home Visitors have a wide range of experience in working with families and children with additional needs.  They are trained in making learning easier, by breaking skills down into small steps. They will devise an individual teaching programme including activities to help encourage and promote participation, play, communication independence and learning.

 The Portage team work very closely with other professionals involved in the child’s care.  Wherever possible joint home visits are made.  The Portage Home Visitor will also take on the role as Lead Professional for the family.

 9. Who can I contact for further information?

 Lynne McKillup – Portage Lead

 Telephone number:  01670 622741

Email:   lynne.mckillup@northumberland.gov.uk

 

 

 

 

Contact Name
Linda Barker
Contact Telephone
07789 414849
Contact Email
Linda.Barker@northumberland.gov.uk
Local Offer Age Bands
Early Years (0-4 years)
Needs Level
High
SEN Provision Type
Universal

Last updated on: 19/01/2024

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Address: Aesca House  Armstrong Way  Ashington  Northumberland

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