Preliminary Market Engagement Notice For Community Early Language Service

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, on behalf of Public Health and in partnership with Bradford Children's and Families Trust, is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform the future procurement of a Community Early Language Service across Bradford District. The proposed service will support children aged 0-5 years and their families to improve speech, language and communication development, increase school readiness and reduce inequalities in outcomes.

The service forms an important part of Bradford's Best Start Local Plan 2026-2029, the Prevention and Early Help Strategy 2026-2031, and the wider Talking Bradford speech, language and communication pathway. The Council seeks feedback from organisations with relevant expertise to help shape the final service model, procurement approach and contract structure.

Background Speech, language and communication skills are fundamental to children's health, learning, wellbeing and future life opportunities. Bradford faces significant challenges relating to deprivation, educational inequalities and language development outcomes.

Key local indicators include: • Approximately 7,000 children are born in Bradford District each year. • Around 59% of children live in the most deprived decile nationally. • Only 62% of children achieve a Good Level of Development at age five. • Communication and Language outcomes remain below the national average. • Around 50% of residents speak a language other than English as their primary language at home. The Council therefore wishes to commission an innovative, evidence-informed and culturally responsive service capable of improving outcomes for children and families across the district.