Academies and Independent Schools in Hampshire, Providers from Outside Hampshire and Other Organisations - Inclusion Team - Portage Workshop - A Small Steps Approach to Learning for Children with SEND for Schools

Inclusion Team - Portage Workshop - A Small Steps Approach to Learning for Children with SEND

Summer term 2026 - Face-to-face - Winchester

Tuesday 12th May 2026 – 9.00am to 3.30pm

Wednesday 13th May 2026 – 9.00am to 3.30pm

Tuesday 23rd June 2026 – 9.00am to 3.30pm

Participants must commit to attending all three days of training.

This is a certificated 3-day training course delivered by National Portage Association Accredited Trainers.

Hampshire schools should submit this online booking request to book a place, remembering to include their cost centre, GL code and contact details for the person dealing with finance or IBC internal trading (cost £157.50 per place).

Out of County schools, Independent schools and Academies can use this shop to pay via card or alternatively submit the online booking request form to pay via invoice.

This is a certificated 3-day training course delivered by National Portage Association Accredited Trainers has been adapted to focus on implementing the Portage model in the early years classroom. Participants must commit to attending all three days of training.

What does the course cover?

The Portage Workshop is an introduction to the Portage Approach to working with children with additional needs and has been adapted to focus on implementing the Portage model in the Year R classroom.

The Portage Workshop offers a unique approach to supporting the development of children with SEND.

The Portage approach is a positive psychology model based on Vygotsky's Zones of Proximal Development and scaffolding theory and focusses on what the child can do without help and what they can achieve with the guidance and support of a skilled partner

What does the course cover?

The Workshop consists of a Core Curriculum of seven modules:

•             The Portage Model - introduction and theory

•             Supporting the Development of Play - creating and adapting learning opportunities to support the development of new skills

•             Using Clear Language - how language can support effective target setting and planning outcomes

•             Planning Successful outcomes - the use of holistic profiles to identify baseline skills and appropriate long-term goals

•             Using a Small Step Approach - how to break targets down into small steps using task analysis and failsafe learning approaches

•             Planning, Recording and Sharing Outcomes - creating activity charts and IEPS to support consistent approaches to a children's development

•             Positive Approaches to Childrens Behaviour - using the portage model to support children were behaviour impacts learning. Focusing on the four functions of behaviour and the Thrive approach to SEMH

What will I learn?

•             The Portage partnership model of working with parents and other professionals

•             Portage principles and how they can be applied to Year R classrooms with young children who have additional needs

•             Strategies, materials, and resources used by Portage that can be used in the classroom

•             How to plan for success and set long term goals

•             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 and learning

•             Approaches to help children generalise skills

•             Appropriate responses and approaches to address behaviour

•             Strategies for planning suitable activities, assessing progress, and recording children’s successes

Places booked on scheduled face-to-face and virtual courses will be confirmed when we send out joining instructions closer to the start date.

Please read our cancellation policy prior to booking.

Contact heytc@hants.gov.uk for further details or assistance.