Early Years, Childcare Settings and Childminders in Hampshire - Inclusion Team - Portage Workshop - A Small Steps Approach to Learning for Children with SEND for all Early Years settings

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

Autumn term 2025 – Delivered Face-to-Face

Day 1: Tuesday 7th October 2025, 9.00am to 3.30pm

Day 2: Wednesday 8th October 2025, 9.00am to 3.30pm

Day 3: Tuesday 18th November 2025, 9.00am to 3.30pm

Spring term 2026 – Delivered Face-to-Face

Day 1: Wednesday 11th February 2026, 9.00am to 3.30pm

Day 2: Thursday 12th February 2026, 9.00am to 3.30pm

Day 3: Wednesday 25th March 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.  

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.

What does the course cover? 

The Workshop consists of a Core Curriculum of seven modules: 

• The Portage Model
• Supporting the Development of Play 
• Using Clear Language 
• Planning Successful outcomes 
• Planning, Recording and Sharing outcomes
• Using a Small Steps Approach 
• Positive Approaches to Childrens Behaviour 

All Workshops will also include a Parent's Perspective of Portage.

What will I learn? 

• 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 used by Portage that can be used in the home and early years settings 
• 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 
• Approaches to help children generalise skills 
• Basic appropriate responses and approaches to address behaviour
• Strategies for planning suitable activities, assessing progress, and recording children’s successes

Who is the course suitable for? 

• Early Years Practitioners working in PVI, maintained and children’s centre settings 
• SENCOs 
• Reception class teachers, nursery teachers, HLTAs and teaching assistants 
• Childminders and foster carers 
• Parents 
• Speech therapists/assistants/language development workers 
• Occupational therapists 
• Physiotherapists 
• Sensory support teachers 
• Advisory teachers 
• Inclusion development workers 

Family Support Workers 

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.