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Portage home visitor

Alternative titles for this job include Portage worker, Portage support worker

Portage home visitors provide help at home for pre-school children with learning difficulties, physical disabilities or other special needs.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£32,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 38 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

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How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a Portage home visitor

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly
  • training from a charity or private training provider

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in early childhood studies.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could learn some of the skills you need for this job through a college course like:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care
  • T Level in Education and Childcare

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could learn some of the skills you would need to get into this job through an early years educator advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Volunteering

Some local authorities may offer opportunities to be a volunteer Portage worker, without the need for qualifications.

Direct Application

It may be possible to apply directly to employers if you've got experience of working with children aged 0 to 4 years, and knowledge of early childhood development and special needs. You may also need one of the following:

  • a relevant professional qualification in teaching, social work or nursing
  • a level 2 or 3 early years qualification
  • a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in early childhood studies

Other Routes

You could do a 2 to 3 day Portage Workshop led by a National Portage Association accredited trainer. This could be a good way for you to find out more about the role before applying for work. No knowledge or experience is required.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a Portage home visitor from the National Portage Association.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with others
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • knowledge of English language
  • knowledge of psychology
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you may:

  • observe children and talk to parents to identify their child’s skills
  • assess which skills are most important for the child's future learning
  • suggest a programme of activities for parents and their child to practise together
  • break down tasks into small steps
  • show parents how to record their child's progress
  • encourage parents and carers to meet each other and offer support
  • help parents to apply for disability benefits
  • check progress and agree on new goals
  • write progress reports

Working environment

You could work at a client's home or in an office.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a senior Portage worker with supervisory or management responsibilities.

You could also study to be an accredited Portage trainer or look for work in a special educational needs school.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Early Years Apprenticeship Level 3

  • Wage: £117.00 Weekly
  • Location:

Excell learning centre - Early Years Apprentice

  • Wage: £146.25 Weekly
  • Location: LONDON
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

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