What is Portage?
Portage is a council provided service whereby child professionals can work with parents to develop children’s skills. Normally, a child is referred to portage by a health visitor or doctor because there is a possibility the child may benefit from some help. Being referred is nothing to worry about at all. After a while you’ll get a letter saying a portage worker would like to visit your house to assess your child. The reason they want to come to your house is young children are themselves in a familiar environment so its easier to assess what skills they have.
The portage worker may decide your child may not need any help at all, or maybe just some help for 6 months or so. I’ve heard of children getting help for all sorts of reasons: from not walking when expected to having a phobia to being late talking.
Alternatively you, your child and any pre-school siblings may be invited to attend a group session at a local venue, or a portage worker will visit your home every week for about an hour to lead your child in play activities.