The Portage team aims to develop a child's socialisation, self help, physical, cognitive and language skills. The team provides home visits where long term developmental goals, broken into small tasks, are set with the family. Portage Home Visitors are also able to offer support to families when choosing a suitable nursery/school. The team provide a play opportunity and parental contact on a regular basis. There is also a well stocked toy library. There is an open referral system with parental permission. The majority of referrals come from Health Visitors, Doctors and Therapists from the Child Development Centre at Fairfield Hospital. Parents can also refer themselves and their child. The criteria for referral is the child should be aged between 0 and 5 years with a developmental delay in any area. An initial visit is made by the Senior Portage Worker who will, with the parent, decide on suitability for the service.