Parents of children with special needs and/or disabilities

Do you have a child with a special need and/or disability?  The Family Information Service (FIS) can provide details of childcare and leisure activities in your area.  Information leaflets are available and the FIS offer further information in their information for parents and carers page.

For more information contact the Family Information Service on 01905 790 560 or email familyinfo@worcestershire.gov.uk.

Portage

Portage is a home-visiting educational service for children aged 0 to 5 years with additional support needs.  The home visitors work in partnership with the family, supporting the child’s development through play activities.

Parents or professionals can refer children to Portage if:

• A child has significant developmental delay in at least two areas and/or has a recognised disability
• A child lives within the County boundary
• Parents are willing to commit to a regular teaching programme
• The home visiting model is appropriate
• The child is not attending a special needs placement for 50% of the working week
• Children are of a pre-school age
• The child has at least one full term before s/he is due to start school.

For more information please contact the Inclusion Team on 01950 790558 or email eycsinclusion@worcestershire.gov.uk

Family Services Directory

The Family Services Directory is the new way to find out about services and groups for children, young people and their families.  The website has an extensive special needs and disabilities section providing information on:

• Autism
• Dyspraxia and dyslexia
• Information and support
• Leisure
• Resources and equipment
• Speech and language difficulties
• Visual and hearing impairments
• Working, training and volunteering.

You can view the Family Services Directory online or you can contact the Family Information Service (FIS) and helpline staff will be happy to search the directory for you to provide details of services.  The FIS is available on 01905 790 560 or by emailing familyinfo@worcestershire.gov.uk

The Early Support website also offers useful information for families and improving services for families with young disabled children.