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
Programmes and Workshops available
Portage
Portage is a play‑based education service for pre‑school children with additional support needs and their families.
The service supports children’s learning and development through play and works in partnership with parents and carers. Sessions focus on identifying what a child can already do, building on strengths, and supporting next steps in development.
Portage works with other professionals involved with the child and supports families as children prepare for the transition into nursery or school.
Eligibility
- Have a severe or profound developmental delay in two or more areas of learning (Early Years Foundation Stage)
- Are aged 18 months to 5 years (Referrals can be made from birth. Support may be offered earlier than 18 months where there is a clear reason. This should be included on the referral form).
- Are not yet attending nursery or school
What the service offers
- Up to 12 1‑hour sessions
- Sessions provided at home
- A flexible service tailored to the needs of children and families
The Portage offer is subject to change.
Portage in Bradford video: YouTube video
SEND Together Programme
- For parents of children with SEND (no diagnosis required)
- Covers sensory needs, communication, behaviour strategies, information to support he whole family and links to further support and services available.
- 4 x 3hr online sessions offered daytime or evening.
EarlyBird Programme
- For parents of children under 6 .5 who have an Autism diagnosis or currently on the Autism assessment waiting list.
- 6x 3hr online sessions.
- Focus on understanding Autism, sensory, communication, and behaviour.
More information about EarlyBird
Cygnet Core Programme
- For parents of children aged 5–18 whohave an Autism diagnosis.
- 7 x3hr online sessions, offered daytime or evening.
- Focus on understanding autism, senses, social interaction, communication, and behaviour.
More information about Cygnet
**NEW OFFER FROM NOVEMBER 2026**
When attending one of our SEND programmes, families now have the opportunity to invite a supporting person to attend alongside them. This could be someone from an organisation that is working with your family.
The aim is to ensure that everyone supporting your child receives consistent guidance, key messages, and practical strategies. Your supporting person is welcome to attend the full programme or join individual sessions that are most relevant to their role.
When you are offered a place on the programme, we will discuss this opportunity with you in more detail.
Please note families/professionals must wait 12 months before re-referring to our service.
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
Email: [email protected]
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, Lorna Marks
SEND Programme Facilitators: Noor Khan, Jane Simmons, Megan Lee.