The keystone of all Portage practice is PARTNERSHIP, placing children and families at the centre and working with parents as the senior partner and lead educators.

Partnership also extends to multi-agency working with all involved with the child and family.

Portage supports parents and practitioners to use a SMALL STEPS approach to learning, breaking down long term goals into achievable targets that are PRACTICAL, IMMEDIATE AND RELEVANT for the WHOLE CHILD, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.  

Through playing and learning together, families and children are supported to GENERALISE SKILLS; participating and working towards full INCLUSION in their community.

Working in a genuine partnership with families, Portage practice is SUPPORTING & ENABLING for parents, offering practical strategies, signposting and joint problem solving.

Portage practitioners aim to empower parents to make informed choices about their child’s development whilst supporting them to feel confident in their own abilities.  

The Portage CAN DO approach CELEBRATES DIVERSITY and emphasises that all children are able to learn. 

By building on abilities and strengths rather than focusing on difficulties, Portage supports families in LOOKING FORWARD, with small step targets planned to CELEBRATE SUCCESS.

Parents often comment that they value Portage most for BEING POSITIVE.