What is Portage?

The Portage Service offers home visits to help and advise families with pre-school children who have special needs. A Portage Home Visitor works with the family to design a set of activities aimed at stimulating the development of your child. As parents, you know your child best and Portage Home Visitors build on your knowledge so that the whole family can, with confidence, teach your child in manageable steps. A few minutes each day is all that is needed to practise agreed fun activities with your child.

How can Portage help?

Starting from where your child is at, Portage aims to promote:

• Physical and social development
• Self-help development
• Thinking and language development

To get the best from Portage, it is important that parents and Portage Home Visitors work together, involving others as appropriate, to support the development of your child.

How do I access the Portage Service?

Referrals can be made directly through the Education Department or perhaps via your Health Visitor or GP. You can also contact the service yourself.

Southampton Portage Service

Covers Southampton City. Pre-school children with special education needs (aged 0-4 years).

›	Willow Annexe, c/o Shirley Warren Primary, Warren Crescent, Southampton SO16 6AY
	023 8083 4375
	melanie dalley@southampton.gov.uk

Eastleigh and Romsey Portage Service

Areas Covered: Eastleigh, Southern Parishes of Eastleigh, Chandlers Ford, Romsey, Bishop Waltham and surrounding areas.

›	The Aviary Early Years Centre, Blackbird Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9JW
	023 8065 1983

Andover & Winchester Portage Service

Areas covered: Andover, Test Valley, Winchester, Twyford and surrounding areas.

›	Acorns Early Years Centre, Vigo Road, Andover, SP10 1JZ
	01264 361457

New Forest Portage

Areas covered: New Forest

›	Child & Family Centre, Ashurst Hospital, Lyndhurst Rd, Ashurst,
	023 8029 3768