Early years: speech, language and communication action plan

The Role of the National Early Language and Communication Team

In January 2023, Public Health Scotland (PHS) published a package of three reports on SLC development among children in Scotland, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Scottish Government established the NELC team in response to the evidence that children’s early SLC development had been negatively impacted.

Six whole time equivalent SLTs were seconded to Education Scotland for 23 months, from September 2023 to August 2025, to establish the NELC project. The NELC team worked through a structured plan, initially focusing on understanding the landscape of SLC support across Scotland. Information gathered from stakeholders was analysed and shared through local, multi-disciplinary events, highlighting the importance of data, the evidence base and multi-agency collaboration. The team has supported local areas by producing a self-evaluation framework to allow them to reflect on their current SLC systems and consider how to build a confident and capable multi-agency early years workforce.

The team has been supported by a Project Advisory Group and National Stakeholder Reference Group comprising key partners, including the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES), Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), RCSLT, Early Years Scotland, Public Health Scotland (PHS), Care Inspectorate and NHS Education for Scotland (NES).

Insights gained throughout the NELC project informed and shaped the development of this Action Plan to include a focus on prevention, a consistent use of data and targeting supports to families who are underserved by current offers. Importantly, the team facilitated parental engagement to ensure actions identified in this Plan are grounded in families’ lived experiences and are responsive to their preferences.

The NELC team produced a range of evidence-informed resources to support local services and inform learning and development offers. These include:

• Chatting Together: A national resource for early language and communication key messages hosted on Parent Club (Annex A).
• Early Speech, Language and Communication Development: Which Factors are Associated with Better or Poorer Outcomes?: Exploration of the evidence and research.
• An expanded version of the My World Triangle within the National Practice Model, adapted to include factors for members of the early years workforce to consider when carrying out a wellbeing assessment.
• How can we create a Language and Communication Supportive Environment (LCSE) in Early Learning and Childcare settings?: A resource for practitioners.
• SLC Knowledge and Skills Matrix for the Early Years Workforce: Learning and development self-evaluation framework.
• Self-evaluation tool: Focusing on local system supports for early SLC development.