Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve early identification of children with Developmental Language Disorder in early years settings.

Effective early identification and intervention are vital to improving outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities, including developmental language disorder.

To spread best practice, the department is strengthening the evidence base and providing clearer guidance to support practitioners in identifying and responding to children’s needs. An independent expert panel will develop National Inclusion Standards, setting out evidence-informed tools to help identify and meet additional needs effectively.

We are also investing over £200 million to ensure every Best Start Family Hub has a family facing practitioner to support early identification and joined-up care for children and families. We will introduce a fast track for Specialist Provision Packages and education, health and care plan for children under five with complex needs.