Inclusion, SEND & Evidence-Led Practice
EALC leads a cross-system approach to inclusion and SEND support across Bradford. Our ambition is that every child’s needs are identified early, understood clearly, and supported effectively — in every school, without exception.
Rolling Out the EDSP Across All Primary Schools in Bradford
At the Education Alliance for Life Chances (EALC), we have a bold and transformative ambition: to ensure every primary school in Bradford has access to the Electronic Development Support Passport (EDSP) — a tool that enables earlier identification, clearer understanding, and more coordinated support for children’s developmental and neurodiversity‑related needs.
This ambition is rooted in evidence, co‑production, and our commitment to improving life chances for every child in our district.
What the EDSP Is
The Electronic Development Support Passport (EDSP) is a teacher‑led digital assessment tool designed to help schools identify developmental, neurodiversity‑related, and emerging social‑emotional needs earlier and more consistently.
It has been developed by Born in Bradford’s Centre for Applied Education Research (CAER) and co‑produced with teachers, clinicians, families, and experts
The EDSP works by:
- Assessing children across 12 key developmental skill domains
- Exploring underlying “Fundamental Learning Skills” when concerns are identified
- Using adaptive psychometrics so teachers can complete it quickly when no concerns are present
- Providing instant, evidence‑based resources for teachers and families
- Creating a structured, holistic picture of a child’s strengths and needs
It is grounded in strong scientific evidence.
This makes the EDSP both research‑driven and practical for real classrooms.
Why We Are Ambitious About District Wide Rollout
To Give Every Child the Right Start
Bradford’s schools face increasing complexity in children’s needs. The EDSP provides a holistic, classroom‑based assessment tool for early identification, helping teachers spot emerging issues earlier and more consistently.
Our ambition is that every child in every school benefits from this early insight.
To Reduce Inequalities
The EDSP aligns with national expectations that schools should have access to free, reliable, evidence‑based, validated and developmentally appropriate holistic educational assessment tools.
Rolling it out district‑wide ensures equity, not postcode variation.
To Strengthen Inclusion and Reduce Escalation
Earlier identification means earlier support — reducing pressure on SEND systems, improving attendance, and preventing escalation.
To Enable Joined‑Up Support Across Education, Health and Social Care
The feasibility phase is establishing safe, GDPR‑compliant mechanisms for sharing EDSP insights across education, health, and social care.
A district‑wide rollout creates a shared language of need across the whole system.
To Empower Teachers With Evidence‑Based Resources
The EDSP provides immediate, practical guidance.
Our ambition is for every teacher to have this support at their fingertips.
To Deliver on EALC’s Mission
This work aligns with EALC’s mission to strengthen inclusive, community‑rooted education and improve outcomes for children across the district.
Rolling out the EDSP is a strategic investment in Bradford’s future.
Our Vision
EALC believe Bradford can become a place where collective impact is not an aspiration but the way the system works every day. Our vision is a district where schools, health services, early years, policing, and the voluntary sector act with shared purpose, using evidence, data, and community insight to drive change that no single organisation could achieve alone.
By 2029, we aim to see a connected ecosystem in which early support is strengthened, inclusion is championed, and neighbourhoods are empowered to shape the solutions that matter most to them. As the backbone organisation, EALC will continue to create the conditions for disciplined collaboration — aligning priorities, coordinating action, and ensuring partners learn and improve together.
Our ambition is simple: a Bradford where partnership becomes the engine of better life chances, and where every child grows up supported by a system that works collectively for their success.