The Families SEND Support Team offers Portage and a range of bespoke programmes and workshops designed to guide, support, and empower families who have children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Through our range of support, we aim to listen, understand, and help you develop your skills and knowledge to feel more confident in raising a child or young person with special need and/or disability.
We focus on children’s/young people’s strengths, looking at what they can do and enjoy. We look at ways to help you support your child/young person in achieving next steps in their development.
Who can access the service?
Families living in Bradford and Airedale who have a child or young person aged 0-25 with Special Educational needs and Disabilities.
Children/Young People do not require a diagnosis to access most of our programmes.
We offer Autism specific training as listed below.
How to refer?
Complete the referral form https://bso.bradford.gov.uk/Schools/PortageReferral/default.aspx
Programmes and Workshops available
Portage is an education service for pre-school aged children with additional support needs and their families.
Portage sessions can take place at home or in a group. We work in partnership with parents/carers to identify what a child can do, celebrate their strengths and plan play activities to help achieve next steps in learning.
We work with other agencies involved and support transition to nursey or school.
More information about Portage can be found here https://www.portage.org.uk/
Bradford Portage referral criteria:
A severe developmental delay in two areas of learning from the Early Years Foundation Stage.
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Childs chronological age
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Developmental age
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12 months
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0-4 months
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24 months
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0-8 months
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36 months
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0-12 months
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Areas of learning: Communication. Personal, social and emotional development. Cognition (thinking). Physical development.
Bradford Portage offer:
Portage works flexibly to meet the needs of children and families. The offer is subject to change.
Children aged 0-5 with SEND and who are not accessing funded childcare can receive up to 12 Portage home visits or group based sessions.
*Please note that from 20.05.25 we are no longer accepting Portage referrals for children who are accessing education in a childcare setting*
A re-referral may be considered if further support is required.
Portage in Bradford video: YouTube video
Mini virtual programme for ALL parents of children with SEND who do NOT have an Autism diagnosis. *Referrals welcome from 2nd June 2025*
SEND Support Programme 3x3hr sessions to help parents and carers understand their children and young persons sensory needs, communication differences and support behaviour.
- Understanding senses
- Your child’s sensory portrait
- Strategies and resources to support sensory differences
- How children receive and use communication
- Supporting children to develop communication
- Strategies and resources that can be used at home
- A range of information and strategies to help parent’s/carer’s understand and manage their children’s behaviour.
Programmes for parents and carers
Early Bird - 7 weeks. 2.5hrs online and 2.5hrs face to face. Maximum of 3 places per child (2 parent/carer and 1 professional).
- The EarlyBird Parent Programme supports parents and carers of children aged 6 and under who are on the pathway for an assessment for autism or have an autism diagnosis. EarlyBird helps parents and carers to: understand autism and how children
experience the world around them, develop interaction and communication and understand behaviour.
Cygnet core programme – 7 weeks. 3hrs online and 3hrs face to face
- A support programme for parents and carers of children and young people aged between 5-18years with a diagnosis of autism. Cygnet provides a space to connect with others who share similar experiences, whilst developing further understanding of autism and
gathering practical solutions to support their children.
Following on from Cygnet parents then have the opportunity to attend additional sessions on sleep, and puberty, sexual well-being and relationships. Speak to your facilitator on completion.
Cygnet Sleep Workshop – 3hrs online
- This workshop offers healthy sleep information. Strategies to support sleep concerns such as settling and rising, frequent night awakenings, attachment, and separation, with the aim to create a regular sleeping pattern.
Cygnet Puberty, Sex and Relationships –3 x 3hr face to face sessions
- This three session course is designed for parents of children/young people with autism aged between7-18, to help them develop their understanding and confidence relating to puberty, sexual wellbeing and relationships and how they impact children on the
autistic spectrum.
Please note due to the high number of referrals there is a significant wait for programmes. Once the referral is received you will be placed on a waiting list and contacted when spaces become available. Thank you for your patience and we apologise
for the delay.
Contacts:
Families SEND Support Team
City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Department of Children’s Services
Britannia House (3rd Floor), Hall Ings, Bradford, BD1 1HX
Tel: 01274 439500
Referral form: https://bso.bradford.gov.uk/Schools/PortageReferral/default.aspx
Email: sendsupport@bradford.gov.uk
Team Manager: Janine Wood
Coordinator: Nicola Rothwell
Portage Home Visitors: Wakhida Akhtar, Erum Iqbal, Lisa Haley, Rebekah Braid, Suzanne Farr, Christine Browne, Jeannine Balson, Francesca Finch, Paula Chapman, Lucy Rowley, Hannah Walker.
SEND Programme Facilitators: Noor Khan, Jane Simmons, Megan Lee.