Early Years – Specialist Support
If your child needs specialist services and support, they may have significant or complex delays to their development. You should have the support of your GP and Health Visitor who can talk you through these services and how to access them.
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Specialist Support - Portage
What’s available?
After an assessment, you may get help at home from the Portage service to support your child if they have significant or profound delays or another condition that impacts on their development. A Portage worker will ensure that preschool children with significant and complex needs and disabilities have their educational needs met at home, within their early years settings and in their transition to statutory schooling.
How do I get it?
To access the Portage service, children need:
- To show significant/profound delay in two or more areas of development, one of which should be cognitive.
- An existing diagnosis of a condition, where there is likely to be significant/profound delay.
- Where children are undergoing a Specialist Assessment, Portage may be identified as an outcome at the end of assessment if appropriate.
- Where possible, it is preferable that children referred to the service have 3 terms prior to starting school placement.
You will need to make a referral to access support from Virgin Care’s Portage service.
- Referral form
- information-sharing consent form
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Specialist Support - Physiotherapy
What’s available?
Vranch House provides Physiotherapy for children aged 0-5.
How do I get it?
If a child needs a service from Vranch House, anyone working with the child can make a referral. If the child is in East or West Devon, this will be sent straight to Vranch House; in North Devon the referral goes to the Physiotherapy team in Barnstaple Health Centre.
To access services based in Torbay Hospital John Parkes Unit (except for emergency and inpatient care), you can contact the hospital to make an appointment.
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Specialist Support - Augmented and Alternative Communication Aids (AAC)
What’s available?
Vranch House provides Augmented and Alternative Communication Aids (AAC)
How do I get it?
If a child needs a service from Vranch House, anyone working with the child can make a referral.
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Specialist Support - Wheelchairs
What’s available?
Vranch house has a Specialist Wheelchair Service
How do I get it?
If a child needs a service from Vranch House, anyone working with the child can make a referral.
Page updated 31/07/18