Dorset Council Awarded 5-Star Rating for ‘Best Start in Life’ Pathway for Young Children with additional needs 

Children in Dorset will benefit from top-tier support through the ‘Best Start in Life’ Pathway, a program designed to aid young children with additional needs.  

This pathway has recently earned a prestigious 5-Star Registration Status from the National Portage Association. 

This award celebrates Dorset Council’s commitment to delivering high-quality services and support for families with pre-school children requiring extra support to thrive. 

The success of this programme is a testament to Dorset's dedicated Best Start in Life Advisors, who collaborate closely with early years settings, health visiting teams, Speech and Language Therapists, and schools to provide comprehensive support for children and families. 

The programme was developed with invaluable insights from parent carers, whose feedback was essential in shaping the initiative. Ongoing follow-up and additional feedback opportunities will be available to parent carers, ensuring the program remains responsive to their needs and as effective as possible. 

Amanda Davis, Corporate Director for Education and Learning at Dorset Council “This 5-Star recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of our entire team, who are committed to providing the best possible start in life for every child.” 

 “We’re incredibly proud of this achievement, which recognises the positive impact of our partnership with families and our commitment to delivering high-quality services across Dorset.” 

Lesley Mellor, Chair of the Dorset Parent Carer Council, said, “This recognition is a wonderful endorsement of Dorset’s efforts to support families. It’s so reassuring to see a commitment to quality care and tailored assistance for children with additional needs.” 

Clare Sutton, Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Children Services, Education and Skills said, “It’s great to hear about the 5-star recognition that the Best Start in Life programme has received, a huge well done to the team that have worked so hard to make this happen.” 

The benefits of the new Best Start in Life programme are: 

• Personalised Support: Working with community partners, Dorset Council provides families with valuable information, advice, and guidance to support each child’s development. 

• Specialised Assistance: Support extends to both homes and early years settings, ensuring children with additional needs and disabilities receive the care they deserve. 

• Community-Based Services: Six locality-based services bring local expertise and support directly to Dorset communities. 

• High-Quality Education and Childcare: The council supports early years settings to help them meet and maintain Ofsted 'Good' or 'Outstanding' standards. 

The 5-Star Rating from the National Portage Association highlights Dorset Council’s commitment to high standards, ensuring families receive consistent, quality care.  

This milestone reflects the council’s dedication to the Portage Model, which emphasises regular home visits and personalised support. 

For more information on Dorset Council’s ‘Best Start in Life’ Pathway, please contact the Family Support and Advice Line at  01305 228558 or visit Dorset Council’s Best Start in Life page.