Early Inclusive Support Through the Local Authority

If your child is not meeting their developmental milestones you can expect for this to be picked up by their Early Years setting and for support to be put in place.

Find out what should be in place to support children with special educational needs in Early Years settings.

If your child is struggling to develop age appropriate speech and language, Hampshire Happy Talkers can help you to support them.

The Portage Service supports children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who have a significant developmental delay—typically around one third of their age—in at least two areas of development, one of which must be cognition. Even if your child does not meet the criteria or is currently on the waiting list, the Portage Parent Support Platform offers a wide range of helpful advice and videos for families. It’s a valuable resource for parents supporting children with additional needs and is well worth exploring.

The Portage Parent Support Platform

If your child is not meeting their developmental milestones you can expect for this to be picked up by their Early Years setting and for support to be put in place.

Find out what should be in place to support children with special educational needs in Early Years settings.

If your child is struggling to develop age appropriate speech and language, Hampshire Happy Talkers can help you to support them.

The Portage Service supports children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who have a significant developmental delay—typically around one third of their age—in at least two areas of development, one of which must be cognition. Even if your child does not meet the criteria or is currently on the waiting list, the Portage Parent Support Platform offers a wide range of helpful advice and videos for families. It’s a valuable resource for parents supporting children with additional needs and is well worth exploring.

The Portage Parent Support Platform

Every child and young person deserves an education that meets their needs, promotes high standards, and enables them to reach their full potential. Their education should help them:

Achieve their highest potential
Become confident individuals leading fulfilling lives
Successfully transition into adulthood, whether through employment, further
education, higher education, or training, and
Thrive in their education setting

Find out how schools in Hampshire are expected to support children and young people

Every child and young person deserves an education that meets their needs, promotes high standards, and enables them to reach their full potential. Their education should help them:

Achieve their highest potential
Become confident individuals leading fulfilling lives
Successfully transition into adulthood, whether through employment, further
education, higher education, or training, and
Thrive in their education setting

Find out how schools in Hampshire are expected to support children and young people

Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, services follow the i‑THRIVE approach — a national framework that helps children and young people get the right mental health and wellbeing support at the right time.

The THRIVE Framework was developed by experts at the Anna Freud Centre and the Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust. It moves away from waiting for a diagnosis and instead focuses on your child’s needs, shared decision‑making, and joined‑up working between families, schools, health teams, and other services.

We know that trying to find the right support for your child can feel overwhelming. The i‑THRIVE approach is designed to make this clearer and simpler. It helps everyone involved use the same language, understand the same process, and work together in a way that feels consistent and supportive — so your child receives the help they need when they need it.

By being needs‑led, i‑THRIVE ensures that support is shaped around what will help your child right now, rather than strict criteria or diagnostic labels. It’s used across England and is at the heart of how we’re improving support for children and young people locally.

Scan to find out more

Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, services follow the i‑THRIVE approach — a national framework that helps children and young people get the right mental health and wellbeing support at the right time.

The THRIVE Framework was developed by experts at the Anna Freud Centre and the Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust. It moves away from waiting for a diagnosis and instead focuses on your child’s needs, shared decision‑making, and joined‑up working between families, schools, health teams, and other services.

We know that trying to find the right support for your child can feel overwhelming. The i‑THRIVE approach is designed to make this clearer and simpler. It helps everyone involved use the same language, understand the same process, and work together in a way that feels consistent and supportive — so your child receives the help they need when they need it.

By being needs‑led, i‑THRIVE ensures that support is shaped around what will help your child right now, rather than strict criteria or diagnostic labels. It’s used across England and is at the heart of how we’re improving support for children and young people locally.

Scan to find out more

No school is perfect and it is not uncommon for a child's journey through school to have difficulties to overcome.

Here you will find the information and advice you need to navigate any difficulties that your child encounters in school.

This includes exclusions, bullying and making a complaint to a school.

Resolving Difficulties at School

No school is perfect and it is not uncommon for a child's journey through school to have difficulties to overcome.

Here you will find the information and advice you need to navigate any difficulties that your child encounters in school.

This includes exclusions, bullying and making a complaint to a school.

Resolving Difficulties at School

Hampshire’s Short Breaks service provides opportunities for children and young people (0–17) with disabilities or additional needs to take part in safe, fun, and inclusive activities, while giving parents and carers valuable time away from their caring responsibilities.

What Short Breaks Provide for Children

Enjoyable activity sessions, from a few hours to a whole day.
Opportunities to join clubs or recreational activities in their local community.
A chance to participate in fun, positive experiences designed to support their development and enjoyment.

What Short Breaks Provide for Parents/Carers

A break from caring, helping them rest, focus on other tasks, or spend time with other family members.
Confidence that their child is enjoying safe, structured support.

Who Can Take Part

Children and young people who:

Have a disability or additional needs.
Need support to join leisure/recreation activities.
Are 0–17 years old.
Live within the Hampshire County Council area (excluding Portsmouth, Southampton, Isle of Wight, and neighbouring authorities).

Costs and Funding

Each activity has a standard cost payable by all families.
If a child needs extra support, the Short Breaks programme can fund the additional staffing/support element.
Families unable to meet costs can speak to the provider; a Charging and Concessions policy exists to guide activity pricing.

How to Access Short Break Activities

Parents need a free Gateway Card+ to book activities funded through the Short Breaks programme.
Activities are booked directly with providers.
Families can receive updates via the Family Information Directory or activity providers.

Apply for a Gateway Card and search for Short Break Activities