A council service which supports some of the city's most vulnerable young people has received a prestigious award.
The Peterborough Early Years SEND Specialist and Portage service has been granted Platinum status by the National Portage Association (NPA) for the period 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027.
Portage is a specialist Home Visiting Service that supports pre-school children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), helping them and their families to develop confidence and new skills.
Officers set a program of targets in partnership with the parents/ carers of the children that are referred to them, with the service focussed on three core elements - family focus (supporting parents' needs), structured teaching (play-based learning goals), and child-led play (observing self-initiated play).
In granting the status, the NPA acknowledged that the Portage team provides exceptional service, shows leadership in practice whilst demonstrating innovation and workforce development.
The NPA also confirmed that the service had met all of its essential criteria for obtaining the award. This includes confirmation that families receive weekly or fortnightly visits, evidence of shared visit notes, activity plans and progress reviews as well as goals being planned jointly with parents and reviewed a minimum of three times per year.
Councillor Katy Cole, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "I am absolutely delighted that our Portage service has achieved this phenomenal award and want to say a huge congratulations to the team. Achieving Platinum status is a fantastic recognition of all your hard work and the quality of the service.
"We are fully committed to improving outcomes for every child in our city which achievements like this demonstrate. Portage is an invaluable service which is helping some of most vulnerable children to gain confidence and learn skills in comfortable surroundings at home, ensuring they are getting the best possible start in life."
For more information about the council's Portage service visit the Early Years SEN Specialist and Portage Service page on the Peterborough Information Network website.