Support for SEND families at home
In Portsmouth we want every child or young person with SEND to have the care and support that they need so that they can achieve the best possible outcomes.
Support at home is offered through a range of services across Portsmouth city. Some of them are provided by Portsmouth City Council and others by our partners from the wider community.
To view all of the services providing family support visit our information hub.
Early Help Service
The Early Help and Prevention service provides extra practical help with families early on, to stop problems getting worse. They talk with families about the things that are most important to them, what might help and what they can do differently to help them. Click here to find out more
Children’s Disability Service
The Children’s Disability service , formerly known as the Children with Disabilities team, is based within children’s Social Care and Safeguarding service.
The Children’s Disability service is situated within the Locality and Through Care Social Work Teams and the Locality Early Help Service.
The service aims to provide a high quality service to children and young people with profound disabilities and complex needs between the ages of 0 – 18 years .Click here to visit the Children’s Disability Service page.
Respite Care in Portsmouth
Respite care tries to keep families together by offering children a break, or a regular series of breaks, from a difficult family environment or a problem for which the child needs some support or help.
Short Breaks service
Short breaks provide opportunities for disabled children and young people to access universal/mainstream sessions such as after school clubs, activity groups, clubs and day care settings enabling them to spend time away from their primary carers. This also benefits parents and carers too, by giving them valuable time away from their caring responsibilities.
Private and Voluntary Services
We have a number of private and voluntary services across Portsmouth City who can provide support to families within their own homes. Search our information hub for the full list of help, or here are a few of the most well known services.
Home Start Portsmouth – provides emotional and practical support within the home.
Health Visiting and specialist health visitor – A universal service for all families with a child under 5.
Family Hubs – For families with children up to 19 years. Offer behaviour management surgeries, support to families and groups.