As part of the UK government's Social Mobility Action Plan in 2018, the iHV was commissioned to lead a partnership project to develop a new early language identification measure (ELIM) and accompanying intervention to support practice - this formed 1 of 3 components of a programme of work on speech, language and communication led by Public Health England and the Department for Education.
The other programmes of work included:
- The provision of enhanced training for health visitors to identify Speech, Language and Communication needs (SLCN) and to support more appropriate or rapid referral.
- The development of guidance to support local areas to develop evidence-based Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) pathways. The methodology behind the development of the early language identification and intervention model is evidence based and has been piloted.
Please see summary report https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/best-start-in-speech-language-and-communication
The iHV Director of Innovation and Research was a co-applicant on the study and supported the development of the measure.
Research publication here https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10540411/