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\nJanuary 2026  \nAuthors: ICF Consulting Services Ltd.  \nContents  \nList of tables 3  \nList of figures 4  \nList of abbreviations 5  \nExecutive summary 7  \nIntroduction to the evaluation 7  \nOverview of the ELSEC programme 7  \nKey achievements, outcomes and challenges 8  \nKey learning 9  \nNext steps 10  \nIntroduction 11  \nPurpose of the evaluation and this report 11  \nReport structure 11  \nOverview of the ELSEC programme 12  \nContext for the ELSEC programme 13  \nAims of the ELSEC programme 13  \nMethodology 16  \nAims for the evaluation 16  \nKey research questions 16  \nResearch approach 17  \nResearch undertaken to date 18  \nAnalysis methods 22  \nStrengths and limitations 22  \nPathfinder practice and delivery models 24  \nLocal pathfinder areas 24  \nExpected outcomes 24  \nIssues with current services identified by Pathfinders 25  \nAlignment with existing local and national work 26  \nKey features of Pathfinder models 28  \nKey outcomes of the ELSEC Pathfinders 42  \nProgress with delivery 42  \nOutcomes for children and families 42  \nOutcomes for settings 48  \nOutcomes for speech and language therapy workforce 51  \nOutcomes for partner organisations and the wider system 51  \nKey learning from the ELSEC Pathfinders 53  \nChallenges during early implementation 53  \nData sharing and IT challenges 54  \nChallenges and barriers to implementation reported by Pathfinders 54  \nTraining, supervision and scope of practice of support workers 58  \nEngaging parents and carers 60  \nEngagement with settings 61  \nEngagement with other Pathfinders 64  \nConclusions 65  \nKey findings 65  \nKey success factors 67  \nKey learning points 68  \nAppendices 70  \nAppendix 1: Glossary 70  \nAppendix 2: Theory of Change 72  \nAppendix 3: Outcomes data 74  \nList of tables  \nTable 1. Interviews undertaken in November to December 2024 ......................................20  \nTable 2. Interviews undertaken in June to July 2025 .........................................................21  \nTable 3. Number of participating settings in each Pathfinder.............................................30  \nList of figures  \nFigure 1. ELSEC Pathfinder Sites...................................................................................... 15  \nList of abbreviations  \n\n| Abbreviation | Meaning |\n| --- | --- |\n| AP | Alternative Provision |\n| ASQ | Ages and Stages Questionnaire |\n| BDCFT | Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust |\n| CPP | Change Programme Partnership |\n| DBV | Delivering Better Value |\n| DfE | Department for Education |\n| DPIA | Data Protection Impact Assessment |\n| EHC plan | Education, Health and Care plan |\n| ELSEC | Early Language Support for Every Child |\n| EYFS | Early Years Foundation Stage |\n| HLTA | Higher-level Teaching Assistant |\n| ICB | Integrated Care Board |\n| KS1 | Key Stage 1 |\n| LA | Local authority |\n| LLR | Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland |\n| NELI | Nuffield Early Language Intervention |\n| NHSE | NHS England |\n| PCF | Parent Carer Forum |\n| PINS | Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools |\n| PVI | Private, Voluntary and Independent (sector or setting, of early years provision) |\n| Q-Bex | Quantifying Bilingual Experience Tool |\n| QTS | Qualified Teacher Status |\n| RCSLT | Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists |\n| REACh | Reaching Excellence and Ambition for all Children |\n| SaLT | Speech and Language Therapist |\n| SEMH | Social, Emotional and Mental Health |\n| SEN | Special Educational Needs |\n| SENCO | Special Educational Needs Coordinator |\n| SEND | Special Educational Needs and Disabilities |\n| SLA | Speech and Language Assistant |\n\n\n| Abbreviation | Meaning |\n| --- | --- |\n| SLCF | Speech and Language Communication Framework |\n| SLCN | Speech, Language, and Communication Needs |\n| SLTA | Speech and Language Therapy Assistant |\n| SP | Support Practitioner |\n| STW | Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin |\n| TSW | Thera","cbCaiqh7ZgGZuJmW","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiqh7ZgGZuJmW","pdf",922721,86,"English","# Executive summary\n# Introduction to the evaluation\n## Purpose of the evaluation and this report\n## Report structure\n# Overview of the ELSEC programme\n## Context for the ELSEC programme\n## Aims of the ELSEC programme\n# Methodology\n## Key research questions\n## Research approach\n# Pathfinder practice and delivery models\n## Local pathfinder areas\n## Key features of Pathfinder models\n# Conclusions\n## Key findings\n## Key success factors\n# Appendices\n## Appendix 1: Glossary\n## Appendix 2: Theory of Change\n## Appendix 3: Outcomes data","[{\"question\":\"What is the ELSEC programme and what problem is it designed to address?\",\"answer\":\"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.\"},{\"question\":\"Who commissioned and conducted this interim evaluation?\",\"answer\":\"The evaluation was commissioned by DfE and conducted by ICF in partnership with RSM.\"},{\"question\":\"Which areas does the report assess in its interim findings?\",\"answer\":\"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.\"}]","Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) programme - Interim evaluation report - January 2026 | PDF",1792063941,217]