Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) programme - Interim evaluation report - January 2026

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Bintang

Interim evaluation of the Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) programme, commissioned by the Department for Education and conducted by ICF with partner RSM. The report reviews the programme’s early implementation and outcomes from the first year of full delivery up to July 2025 across nine Pathfinder sites. It examines progress on children and families, settings, speech and language therapy workforce, and wider system alignment, identifying achievements, challenges, and key learning to inform next steps and policy development.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages86

Reading Time3 h 37 min

AccessFree to download

Executive summary

Introduction to the evaluation

Purpose of the evaluation and this report

Report structure

Overview of the ELSEC programme

Context for the ELSEC programme

Aims of the ELSEC programme

Methodology

Key research questions

Research approach

Pathfinder practice and delivery models

Local pathfinder areas

Key features of Pathfinder models

Conclusions

Key findings

Key success factors

Appendices

Appendix 1: Glossary

Appendix 2: Theory of Change

Appendix 3: Outcomes data

Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) programme: Interim evaluation report Research report January 2026 Authors: ICF Consulting Services Ltd. Contents List of tables 3 List of figures 4 List of abbreviations 5 Executive summary 7 Introduction to the evaluation 7 Overview of the ELSEC programme 7 Key achievements, outcomes and challenges 8 Key learning 9 Next steps 10 Introduction 11 Purpose of the evaluation and this report 11 Report structure 11 Overview of the ELSEC programme 12 Context for the ELSEC programme 13 Aims of the ELSEC programme 13 Methodology 16 Aims for the evaluation 16 Key research questions 16 Research approach 17 Research undertaken to date 18 Analysis methods 22 Strengths and limitations 22 Pathfinder practice and delivery models 24 Local pathfinder areas 24 Expected outcomes 24 Issues with current services identified by Pathfinders 25 Alignment with existing local and national work 26 Key features of Pathfinder models 28 Key outcomes of the ELSEC Pathfinders 42 Progress with delivery 42 Outcomes for children and families 42 Outcomes for settings 48 Outcomes for speech and language therapy workforce 51 Outcomes for partner organisations and the wider system 51 Key learning from the ELSEC Pathfinders 53 Challenges during early implementation 53 Data sharing and IT challenges 54 Challenges and barriers to implementation reported by Pathfinders 54 Training, supervision and scope of practice of support workers 58 Engaging parents and carers 60 Engagement with settings 61 Engagement with other Pathfinders 64 Conclusions 65 Key findings 65 Key success factors 67 Key learning points 68 Appendices 70 Appendix 1: Glossary 70 Appendix 2: Theory of Change 72 Appendix 3: Outcomes data 74 List of tables Table 1. Interviews undertaken in November to December 2024 ......................................20 Table 2. Interviews undertaken in June to July 2025 .........................................................21 Table 3. Number of participating settings in each Pathfinder.............................................30 List of figures Figure 1. ELSEC Pathfinder Sites...................................................................................... 15 List of abbreviations | Abbreviation | Meaning | | --- | --- | | AP | Alternative Provision | | ASQ | Ages and Stages Questionnaire | | BDCFT | Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust | | CPP | Change Programme Partnership | | DBV | Delivering Better Value | | DfE | Department for Education | | DPIA | Data Protection Impact Assessment | | EHC plan | Education, Health and Care plan | | ELSEC | Early Language Support for Every Child | | EYFS | Early Years Foundation Stage | | HLTA | Higher-level Teaching Assistant | | ICB | Integrated Care Board | | KS1 | Key Stage 1 | | LA | Local authority | | LLR | Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland | | NELI | Nuffield Early Language Intervention | | NHSE | NHS England | | PCF | Parent Carer Forum | | PINS | Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools | | PVI | Private, Voluntary and Independent (sector or setting, of early years provision) | | Q-Bex | Quantifying Bilingual Experience Tool | | QTS | Qualified Teacher Status | | RCSLT | Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists | | REACh | Reaching Excellence and Ambition for all Children | | SaLT | Speech and Language Therapist | | SEMH | Social, Emotional and Mental Health | | SEN | Special Educational Needs | | SENCO | Special Educational Needs Coordinator | | SEND | Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | | SLA | Speech and Language Assistant | | Abbreviation | Meaning | | --- | --- | | SLCF | Speech and Language Communication Framework | | SLCN | Speech, Language, and Communication Needs | | SLTA | Speech and Language Therapy Assistant | | SP | Support Practitioner | | STW | Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin | | TSW | Thera

FAQs

What is the ELSEC programme and what problem is it designed to address?

The ELSEC programme is an initiative launched by the Department for Education and NHS England to address children’s speech, language, and communication needs through early intervention and workforce models.

Who commissioned and conducted this interim evaluation?

The evaluation was commissioned by DfE and conducted by ICF in partnership with RSM.

Which areas does the report assess in its interim findings?

It assesses outcomes for children and families, settings, the speech and language therapy workforce, partner organisations, and the wider system, drawing learning from nine Pathfinder sites.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Bintang