Early years: speech, language and communication action plan

Oversight and Accountability

The Scottish Government will ensure effective oversight of the Early Years Speech, Language and Communication Action Plan by building on existing governance structures. A streamlined approach will support national accountability while allowing for local flexibility in delivery. We will collaborate closely with Local Authorities, Service Managers, ELC Practitioners and NHS Scotland, to jointly incorporate early SLC related indicators linked to child wellbeing, attainment and poverty.

Governance and Reporting

• Progress on the Action Plan will be reported regularly to Ministers and COSLA, through the Education and Childcare Assurance Board (ECAB). The ECAB is jointly chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and the COSLA Spokesperson for Children and Young People. This Plan proposes that the ECAB will review progress annually, providing both scrutiny and strategic direction to the activity that arises from this plan.
• Progress will also be reported to Ministers through the reporting mechanisms of the ECD Transformational Change Programme, providing strategic leadership and alignment with wider national priorities. This includes a new shared leadership role for SLC, the reporting of which will be integrated into the existing quarterly Early Child Development Programme update meetings.
• The SLC Stakeholder Reference Group will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting delivery and providing oversight.

Monitoring Within Existing Frameworks

• We will work with the Children’s Services Planning Strategic Leads Network, as they begin to develop their 2026–2029 plans, to incorporate early SLC-related indicators linked to ECD, child wellbeing, attainment and poverty.
• We will explore ways to strengthen the monitoring of early SLC development within GIRFEC processes, supporting opportunities for prevention, early identification and timely, responsive support, for example promoting use of the GIRFEC SLC My World Triangle.

Data and Workforce

• In partnership with PHS, we will explore opportunities to improve access to local-level SLC outcome data and develop user-friendly dashboards to inform planning and action at local and national levels.
• We will identify opportunities to integrate with the new Outcomes and Measurement Framework and dashboard for funded ELC, which supports local government to identify challenges and implement improvement measures in delivering childcare.

Links with the Scottish Attainment Challenge

• Given the importance of children’s early SLC in relation to the poverty-related attainment gap, we will ensure that appropriate links are made with the Scottish Attainment Challenge.

By embedding early SLC needs within existing governance and monitoring frameworks, the Scottish Government aims to drive progress through clear national oversight, informed data use and strong support for local implementation.