Useful Links

Jargon Buster

The different terms and acronyms used in education can be overwhelming.  This quick guide is helpful for understanding some of the terms you may encounter.

Portage

The Reading Portage Service is a Home Teaching Programme for Reading families who have pre-school children with additional support needs.

Portage families are visited in their own home by a trained Portage Home Visitor who offers support, encouragement and advice. Together with parents the Portage visitor will design and record stimulating activities to help the child achieve their individual goals.

SEND Local Offer

Information, support and services for Reading’s children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families.

Disability Access Fund (DAF)

The Disability Access Fund is additional funding available for three- and four-year olds who are accessing their free early years funding entitlement and are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance.

Early Years Inclusion Funding | Reading Services Guide  

The EYIF is for 2, 3 and 4-year-old children in private, voluntary and independent settings, childminders and nurseries who are accessing the early education entitlement.

EYIF will focus on emerging and lower level SEN i.e where a child requires some provision in addition to or different from the settings usual graduated approach to help children learn. Children with more complex SEND will receive support from the High Needs Block (HNB) funding; it is not a requirement for early years children to have or be in the process of having an EHCP to access the HNB funding.

IASS

Reading Information, Advice & Support Service for SEND (Reading IASS) offers free confidential and impartial information, advice and support about education, health and social care to Reading parents and carers who have children (up to the age of 25) with special educational needs or disability. 

Reading IASS Leaflet

Reading IASS Videos

Parenting Special Children

A local charity providing specialist support, events, training and workshops for Berkshire Families who have children and young people with special needs.

Speech and Language

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has a speech and language therapy team supporting children and young people with speech and communication difficulties.

Parents wishing to refer their child for speech and language therapy can do so by filling in the SALT referral form below.