Evaluation of Let’s Talk Bristol: Bristol Early Language (BEL) Recovery Programme

Let’s Talk Bristol is a partnership approach that makes different levels of support available to the right children at the right time. The Bristol Early Language programme (BEL) is an initiative of the Let’s Talk Bristol partnership. Working with Early Years Providers, Childminders, Schools, and a network of Parent Champions, BEL offers a framework that should enable all of Bristol’s early talkers to develop a strong grasp of Language and Communication skills by the time they have finished their Reception year at school.

This evaluation of BEL takes a place-based, mixed methods approach to test the programme Theory of Change. In particular, it focuses on understanding the changes taking place at the systems level to understand needs and capacity within the Early Years sector. The emphasis is at the local and at the setting level in Bristol. Whilst the BEL programme is designed to improve children’s speech, language and communication, within this there is a particular emphasis on supporting children for whom English is an Additional Language (EAL).

Project aims

This evaluation of BEL explores the changes taking place in Early Years provision within Bristol at the systems level to understand needs and capacity moving forwards at the local level and at the setting level, in order to support the development of children’s speech, language and communication skills with a particular focus on supporting children for whom English is an Additional Language (EAL).

Impact

Expected impact on policy and practice (dependent on outcomes), in particular, given the focus on systems design this evaluation should influence future offers in Early Years by Bristol City Council.

Publications and outputs

A final report will be submitted to Bristol City Council December 2024.

We would anticipate a subsequent journal article at some point.

Project website

https://www.bristolearlyyears.org.uk/bristol-early-language-bel/