Portage and Early Support
Hangleton Community CentreHarmsworth Crescent
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 8BW
01273 749085
The Portage and Early Support Service is a city-wide project in Brighton and Hove offering early intervention to pre-school disabled children and their families. We are based in Hangleton Children’s Centre and are a partnership with Brighton and Hove Children and Young People’s Trust [poss link www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=b1140328]. We are well integrated with local services and sit on the Strategic Implementation Group for disabled children.
Our team of experienced staff and volunteers provide weekly home visits to families and agree a structured teaching programme, taking into account the child’s strengths and preferences. All volunteers must successfully complete a five-day training programme and assessment before being approved as Portage visitors.
We use a range of methods and developmental tools, including Makaton, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and non-directive play to maximise children’s participation and enjoyment. An experienced educational psychologist offers clinical supervision and is qualified in VIG (Video Interaction Guidance).
We believe disabled children are first and foremost children and should have the same rights and opportunities as their non-disabled peers. Much of our work is about helping adults interpret and respond to disabled children’s implicit communications and helping families recognise their strength and expertise in supporting their child’s development.