North Tyneside Portage Service Awarded Platinum Registration

Families in North Shields with very young children who have additional needs have good reason to take note. North Tyneside Council's Portage Service has been awarded Platinum Registration by the National Portage Association, the highest level under the association's new national registration framework.

What Portage is

Portage is a specialist home-visiting education service for pre-school children with additional needs, developmental delays or disabilities. Rather than taking a child somewhere unfamiliar, practitioners come to the family home and work alongside parents and carers. Together they look at how the child is developing and find practical ways to support learning through play, everyday activities and the family's normal routines.

In North Tyneside the service works with families across the borough, including North Shields. Its focus is on communication, confidence, independence and early learning, and it helps children with key moves such as starting nursery or school.

What the award recognises

As reported by North Tyneside Council, the platinum award recognises the quality, consistency and impact of the support given to babies, young children and their families. This year the National Portage Association introduced a new registration model, and the award followed a self-evaluation and the submission of evidence about the service's work.

Cllr Peter Earley, the council's Cabinet Member for supporting and protecting children, said: "The impact of Portage can be seen in the confidence it builds."

Why it matters

The early years are when support makes the biggest difference, and parents of a child with additional needs can often feel unsure where to start. A home-based service that equips parents to help their child learn is a valuable part of local provision, and national recognition at the top level is a sign that it is working well.

Parents who think Portage could help their child can look for details in North Tyneside Council's SEND Local Offer or contact the council. For other early years options, see our guides to nurseries in North Shields and family activities in North Shields.