Early Years and Childcare: Portage workshop - a small steps approach to learning for children with SEND

The workshop will be delivered over 2 days, face to face at a venue. You will need to attend all the sessions to meet the standards.

There will also be a follow-up session via Microsoft teams.

This is a certificated training course delivered by National Portage Association Accredited Trainers. You will need to attend all the sessions to meet the standards.

The Portage Workshop is an introduction to the Portage Approach to working with children with additional needs and their families. The workshop is suitable for anyone interested in finding out more about the Portage model, including early years practitioners, therapists and parents. The NPA has set standards for minimum workshop content and length.

Portage is a home education service for pre-school children with special educational needs. This workshop will look at ways in which to support both a child with special educational needs and their family. The principles and strategies discussed are easily transferable to the early years setting. Central to the course are the ‘Portage Principles’ and the ‘Three Circle Model of Portage’. 

The course will cover:

• The Portage partnership model of working with parents and other professionals
• Portage principles and how they can be applied in the home and in settings with young children who have additional needs
• Strategies, materials, and resources that can be used in the home and early years settings
• The importance of using clear language
• How to use a small steps approach in teaching children new skills through play
• Strategies to overcome the barriers to play
• Approaches to help children generalise their skills
• Positive responses and approaches to understanding children’s unwanted behaviours
• Strategies for planning suitable activities, assessing progress and recording children’s successes
  
  

As an optional development, the Portage Workshop can lead to:

Early Years Settings becoming Portage Approved Settings via the NPA Stamp of Approval Scheme.  An award given to early year’s settings who have demonstrated they deliver inclusive early years education based upon Portage Principles.

• Open Award Level 3 The Portage Model – A Small Steps Approach to Learning for children with SEND
  
  

You will receive a certificate from the National Portage Association after completing the course.

The training is suitable for:

Early Years Inclusion Practitioners, Early Years Practitioners, SENCOs, Parents/Carers, Family Hub staff, Foundation Stage Practitioners.

Cost: £50 pp*

• parents - 2 fully funded places for Devon parents - please contact: [email protected]