Early years: speech, language and communication action plan

Conclusion

The Early Years Speech, Language and Communication Action Plan embodies Scotland’s shared commitment to nurturing children’s SLC from the very beginning of life. Recognising early speech, language and communication development as foundational to upholding children’s rights, supporting wellbeing, ensuring educational success and building future life chances, the Plan is firmly rooted in principles of prevention, equity and partnership.

Our goal is to ensure every child, regardless of background or circumstance, will have opportunities to develop the SLC skills that enable them to reach their full individual potential and to engage confidently with the world around them. By focusing on prevention and early intervention, empowering families and strengthening the workforce, we aim to close the SLC developmental gap that disproportionately affects children living in poverty.

Supporting the development of SLC is key to realising children’s rights under the UNCRC, particularly their right to be heard, to express themselves and to reach their full potential.

The Scottish Government will lead efforts to embed early SLC outcomes across national policies, promote data-driven decision making and maintain clear accountability at all levels. We will work within existing frameworks and networks, making the most of established partnerships and resources to deliver meaningful improvements. Through the actions set out, the Scottish Government will set the strategic direction, ensure transparency and strengthen accountability in partnership with local authorities, NHS boards, and the third sector, who will play a vital role in delivering improvements on the ground.

Success depends on collaboration across sectors; government, local authorities, health services, education and the third sector, and crucially, on involving parents and carers as equal partners in this journey. By uniting our efforts, we can create a system that comprehensively and sustainably supports children’s SLC development.

Together, we can give every child the foundation they need to thrive, improving their learning, social connections and future opportunities. We can build a Scotland where all children have the opportunity to develop the SLC skills they need to reach their full potential.