This delegation does not remove the original parental responsibility. Often he or she will also teach children with special educational needs on a sessional basis, usually when an individual school does not justify the services of a full time teacher for the purpose. Such groups are known under a variety of names, but they are all registered as playgroups. The children often start at an earlier age than in a regular playgroup and staff usually have more specialised training in this field. These groups provide for both children and adults.
Parents remain with the children throughout the session.
Portage began in Portage, Wisconsin, USA, and there is now an extensive Portage network in the UK, which is overseen by the National Portage Association. In the case of a nursery school, the responsible person is the head teacher. The responsible person must be informed by the LEA when they conclude that a pupil at a school has special educational needs. The responsible person must then ensure that all those who will teach the child know about his or her special educational needs. The SCEA oversees the education of UK service children abroad.