30 January 2026
The RCSLT welcomes the interim findings from the evaluation of the Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) programme in England, which brings together emerging evidence about the positive impact of the programme in pathfinder sites.
The evaluation report, commissioned and published by the Department for Education (DfE), presents an overview of key outcomes from the first full year of delivery of the ELSEC programme up until July 2025.
The report identifies important learning that should be considered to support successful implementation of the model in any future roll outs. It also highlights significant issues with wider implications, including that the scale of previously unidentified need is “greater than anticipated.” We urge the government to consider the report carefully and commit to take action across its wider work to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) policy, deliver on its Best Start in Life strategy, and in the Department of Health and Social Care’s 10 Year Workforce Plan.
Positive outcomes within the pathfinders reported in the evaluation include:
- children made measurable progress in their speech, language, and communication skills
- improved identification of children with previously unidentified needs through increased screening
- parents and carers reported feeling more confident in supporting their children
- setting staff reported increased confidence and competence in supporting children with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN); they also observed improvements in children’s engagement and social skills
- speech and language therapy support workers reported high job satisfaction
- stronger partnerships between health, education, and local authorities.
We look forward to the publication of the final evaluation report, which we hope will provide more evidence to understand the impact of the programme, including whether there has been in a change in demand for more specialist services.
About ELSEC
ELSEC was launched in September 2023, jointly funded by the DfE and NHS England (NHSE) in nine pathfinder sites as part of the special educational needs and alternative provision (SEND and AP) change programme. ELSEC was designed to address children’s speech, language, and communication needs through early intervention and innovative workforce models, which see teams of speech and language therapists and support workers working in partnership with staff in non-healthcare settings such as nurseries, schools and family hubs.
