Portage Worker
What is the work like?
As a portage worker you would provide a home-visiting service for pre-school children who have developmental or learning difficulties, physical disabilities or other special needs. You would help parents to encourage their children's development by suggesting activities and daily routines to make learning fun.
Your work would include:
- observing the child and talking to the parents to identify the skills the child already has
- deciding with the parents which skills are most important for the child's future learning
- suggesting a programme of activities for the parents and child to practise together
- breaking down tasks that are difficult or take a long time into small steps
- providing an activity chart or notebook for parents to record their child's progress
- visiting each week to check on progress and agree on new goals
- writing progress reports and working with the parents to develop long-term goals.
You would work closely with other professionals, such as health visitors, social workers, physiotherapists and speech therapists.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You will need experience of working with children under the age of five, and an understanding of child development. You will also usually need either:
- relevant professional qualifications such as teaching, nursery nursing, social work or nursing, or
- a level 3 early years qualification such as NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education.
Visit the Early Years and Playwork Qualifications Database for details of early years and childcare qualifications.
As you will be working with children you will need CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) clearance.
With some local authorities you may be able to start as a volunteer portage worker.
What further training and development can I do?
You will attend a three-day, full-time (or part-time equivalent) basic training workshop led by a National Portage Association (NPA) accredited trainer before you start work. Your employer may pay for this. Visit the NPA for a list of local workshops.
After the basic training, you will be supervised for six months by qualified colleagues, before becoming a qualified portage worker.
As a qualified portage worker you will be supported by regular supervision meetings with a senior colleague. Your employer may also provide professional development programmes and opportunities for networking with other professionals.
Where can I go for more information?
Related profiles...
Nursery/Primary School Teacher (Scotland)
Special Educational Needs Teacher
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Full-time portage workers start on around £15,000 to £18,000 a year.
- With experience this can rise to between £19,000 and £22,000.
- Senior portage workers can earn between £25,000 and £28,000.
Many portage workers are part-time and would earn a portion of full-time rates (known as 'pro rata' payment).
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would work around 35 hours a week, although part-time jobs may be available. You may sometimes need to work in the evenings and at weekends to visit parents who work during the day.
You would be based in an office, but spend a lot of your time visiting families in their own homes.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- an understanding of child development
- good communication and 'people' skills
- good listening skills
- the ability to give clear explanations to parents
- sensitivity and tact when giving advice
- the ability to write reports and keep accurate records.
What opportunities are there?
You would usually be employed by local authorities or children’s charities. There are around 140 portage services registered in Britain. See the NPA website for details of registered services.
Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, on local authority websites, and on www.LGjobs.com.
With experience you could become a senior portage worker with supervisory or management responsibilities.
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