Type of service: Family support and information services, Nursery and pre-schools, Outreach - education

Website: http://www.stockton.gov.uk

Provides services for children (aged up to five years) with complex and/or multiple special educational needs.

Portage is a step-by-step teaching approach for children with special needs and is used as part of a home teaching service. Portage home visitors provide support and advice to enable parents to teach their children effectively. Families receiving Portage can meet together every month at the Portage Family Groups. These are held each fortnight at different Children's Centres across the borough to ensure that parents without transport have some access to group activities.

The Early Support Nursery is for children with complex and/or multiple special educational needs. Children can attend from aged two, if places are available. The nursery is registered with Ofsted and follows the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. The nursery offers assessment of a child's needs and the nursery education is then focused upon those specific needs.

Outreach support from the Early Support Team is available for children who move on to other places such as their local school nursery, a day nursery or a playgroup. Outreach provided involves giving advice and support to staff at settings, making home visits and attending planning/review meetings.

Aimed at: Child , Parent/carer of a child

Gender: All genders

Specialisms: Generic

Other specialisms: Learning disability