Overall a total of 33 core competencies have been identified, together with relevant learning outcomes and corresponding assessment criteria that will enable Portage Home Visitors to present evidence of their achievements.

• The skills and knowledge required cover 5 key areas:
• Family Partnership
• Multi-agency Working
• Planning, Recording & Sharing Activities in the Home
• Continuing Personal Development
• Continuing Professional Development

The NPA Core Competencies can be used by those working as a Portage Home Visitor within a NPA registered Portage service, or by Early Years practitioners using Portage Prinicples in their everyday practice.

There is no time limit on the process which is an ongoing part of appraisal, personal and professional development as well as providing opportunities for celebrating success.

Where the process is likely to take a long time, it is important for the Portage supervisor to negotiate with the Portage Home Visitor small steps and short term goals to ensure a sense of achievement is maintained.

How do I apply to complete the NPA Core Competencies?

The NPA Core Competencies can be used by those working as a Portage Home Visitor within a NPA registered Portage service, or by Early Years practitioners using Portage Principles in their everyday practice.

The process involves the collation & presentation of evidence from Portage practice that demonstrates individual abilities in each of the competencies, divided into 5 key areas.

Evidence is presented in meetings between the Portage Home Visitor and the supervisor and/or supporting Portage practitioner. This can become part of the normal Portage supervision process, taking place within both individual supervision and team meetings.

Evidence can be presented in any of the following ways:

from observed home visits

verbally during meetings,

in writing, as specified in the assessment criteria

within a reflective log.

A Record of Achievement must be completed for each competency and the Portage Hone Visitor may choose to compile a Portfolio of Evidence.

Core Competencies for Portage Home Visitors is intended to be used by Portage service supervisors and managers to draw up a programme of development for newly trained Portage Home Visitors. Support to the newly trained Portage Home Visitor could be given by the Portage service supervisor and / or an experienced nominated peer but the overall responsibility for the completion of the process rests with the Portage service supervisor.

The introduction of this process is at the discretion of the Portage supervisor. Some may choose to introduce the materials as part of the induction process, while others may feel it is more appropriate to wait until the Portage Home Visitor has experience of their Portage role.

There are several important benefits to Portage services from the use of a single framework of professional competencies.

Using the NPA Core Competencies will:

Establish national standards valid across Portage services.

Enable supervisors and managers to monitor progress of newly trained Portage Home Visitors in a structured way.

Enable Portage Home Visitors to monitor their own achievements and progress

Enable supervisors, managers and Portage Home Visitors to identify learning opportunities that need to be provided through appraisal and plan continuing professional and personal development.

Enable Portage Home Visitors to build up a portfolio of their achievements

Raise awareness of the skills and knowledge base of competent Portage Home Visitors

Enhance parental involvement through evidence they provide.