Issue - meetings

Early Talk for York continues to make good progress and is showing signs of closing the disadvantaged gap it set out to tackle.  This report asks the Executive Member to note the outcomes of Early Talk for York and to support the full rollout of the Early Talk for York approach.

Resolved: That;

                     i.        Support be given to the full rollout of Early Talk for York across the city.

                    ii.        A report measuring the outcomes of the full rollout of Early Talk for York be presented to the Executive Member in one year (November 2023).

Reason:     Early Talk for York is demonstrating impact on improving children’s outcomes in line with the original Theory of Change.  Of particular note is that children’s outcomes have continued to improve in the Early Talk for York area during the pandemic window whilst those in other areas have declined.  This is particularly so for those children who are disadvantaged.  As this work has demonstrated Early Talk for York appears to be an effective way of improving outcomes, particularly for the disadvantaged cohort, a roll out across the city is recommended so more children can benefit from this approach.

The Executive Member considered a report that detailed the  outcomes of Early Talk for York and asked him to support the full rollout of the Early Talk for York approach. The Social Mobility Project Manager outlined the report detailing the aims, development and outcome of the scheme. He explained the work undertaken with the three schools involved in the scheme and how universal screening had been scaled up across the city. He noted the outcomes and impact of Early Talk for York, including the difference in outcomes for disadvantaged children involved in the scheme. He also noted the impact of COVID. He outlined the current position noting that the offer of a universal screening tool had been made, with 82% of providers signed up to using the tool. He added that there had been great partnership working, for example with family learning and the University of York. He then explained the next steps which was to expand universal screening.

In response to questions from the Executive Member, he explained that:

·        Despite COVID, there had been improvements in outcomes nationally and improvements had been learnt as a result of Early Talk for York.

·        Regarding the longevity of work to ensure long term improvements in social mobility and equality of access to education, schools and academies were maintaining investment in Early Talk for York.

The Executive Member acknowledged the flexibility of the approach for each setting, He thanked staff for their work on Early Talk for York and then;

Resolved: That;

                     i.        Support be given to the full rollout of Early Talk for York across the city.

                    ii.        A report measuring the outcomes of the full rollout of Early Talk for York be presented to the Executive Member in one year (November 2023).

Reason:     Early Talk for York is demonstrating impact on improving children’s outcomes in line with the original Theory of Change.  Of particular note is that children’s outcomes have continued to improve in the Early Talk for York area during the pandemic window whilst those in other areas have declined.  This is particularly so for those children who are disadvantaged.  As this work has demonstrated Early Talk for York appears to be an effective way of improving outcomes, particularly for the disadvantaged cohort, a roll out across the city is recommended so more children can benefit from this approach.