Leeds Portage Service

25/06/2026

22/06/2026

29/05/2026

Encouraging your child to make choices:

1) Hold up two items/objects in front of your child. Have one in each hand and space them quite far apart from one another.

2) Name each item. For each item, move it forward or lift it higher as you name it to support them in linking the name of the item to the item being presented.

For this example we are going to use a ball and a car but you can use anything! You can offer foods, toys, clothes, books etc. Make sure you only ever offer two items at once.

3) Ask, "Do you want the ball or do you want the car?" Pause. Give your child time to look. It may help to move the items in front of their eyeline if you need to gain their attention. Again ask, "Ball or car? Which one?"

4) Pause and wait to see if your child chooses one. Your child might choose by reaching out for the item they want, point to it, or they might choose just by looking at one of the items for longer. Really observe your child and what their body language and facial expression is telling you. Your child may not choose straight away. Give them time (about 10 seconds) to process what you are asking.

5) Whatever item your child chooses, give that item to them and immediately take the other one away. This teaches them that they have made a choice. If your child struggles to make a choice, you can hold out the item you think they will want so it is closer to them. This will encourage them to take it from you. If your child is just learning how to make choices, you can support them with this by offering an item that you know they love and an item that you know they probably won't like as much. This makes the choice easier for them but still gives them the opportunity for independence.

6) When your child takes an item from you, label it again for them. For example, "Ball. You have chosen the ball." Praise them by saying, "Good choosing!"

17/04/2026

HENRY are a great service who offer strategies to support your child with healthy living, emotional wellbeing, behaviour and much more. They cover a wide range of topics and have group sessions that run face to face or online. Sessions are open to families living in a Leeds postcode. Sessions are filling up quickly so if it's something you feel will be beneficial for you and your child, have a look on their eventbrite link to find out more.

We have lots of fantastic HENRY groups running across the city; with both face to face and virtual group options available. The face to face group lasts for 2 hours every week (same time and venue), and the virtual group is an hour long. Please see below for the start dates.
To book your place please click on the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/leeds-community-healthcare-0-19-phins-73400088013

If the ticket sale has ended or sold out, please contact:
[email protected]

14/04/2026

11/04/2026

26/03/2026

With Easter just around the corner, it's a great time to introduce some new activities for your little ones that are different to anything else they might do throughout the year. Have a look at the blog below for some different sensory activities you can do over the holidays🐣

Whether your child is into arts and crafts, baking, Easter egg hunting or just outright messy play, we have something for everyone in this Easter activity guide.

23/03/2026

10/03/2026

Our friends at LS29 are holding this event, it looks like it will be an amazing day!

The event is open to non-members, and it would be great to make sure local families know of the group. LS29 covers 8 miles around Ilkley which includes Keighley, Shipley, Bingley, Skipton and parts of North Leeds, but this festival is open to families who have children and young adults with SEND from any area.
The charity has been a huge source of support and friendship for many of us. LS29 began when a small group of us met during a wet half-term and realised we had all been feeling a little isolated. Since then, the group has grown, and we are now in contact with around 200 local families. We organise regular activities, short breaks, and outings for the whole family.

During the day there will be inclusive entertainment and activities for all ages including inflatables, discos, keep fit, kinball, drumming, forest school, a ceilidh, choirs and musicians, dancers, circus skills, water play, adventure playground, sensory and quiet rooms, refreshments, food stalls, coffee, ice cream and pizza van, evening bar. Your £5 ticket covers everything apart from the food/drink stalls

A flyer is attached and the booking link for the event is here: LS29 20th Anniversary Festival - Booking by Bookwhen on this link https://bookwhen.com/ls29group/e/ev-s4430-20260425120000