• What are the characteristics of additional needs for children in the early years, with specific consideration of neurodiversity, speech and language, and mental health interventions?

Background

The early years in childhood are crucial to supporting opportunity. This pillar of the Opportunity Mission aims to set every child up for the best start in life, measured against the proportion of 5-year-olds reaching a good level of development in the early years foundation stage. Key research topics include early identification of additional needs and supporting families to help children learn and develop, including through provision of high-quality childcare.

Full details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-education-areas-of-research-interest