Background and Development
Background and Development
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This course has been developed to support the teaching of some basic English to migrant mothers with low English proficiency who are pregnant and/or have babies and young children.
It aims to develop the mums' confidence, integration and health literacy, in order to improve outcomes for both them and their families, where lack of English may be a barrier to health and wellbeing.
It is designed to be delivered by existing staff, practitioners and volunteers in community settings, with simple, clear course guidance and high quality, engaging materials.
Commissioned by Improving Me
The NHS Women’s Health and Maternity Vanguard, Improving Me, delivered 'ESOL Stepping Stones' from 2018-2024. The programme ran until Education and Skills Funding Agency, and then Combined Authority, changes in funding drew the programme to a close.
In 2025, Improving Me commissioned an update, with the original designer working with a team of student midwives and adult education experts, to design new and improved resources, and with a view to enhancing course delivery by combining it with midwifery student placements.
The previous 'ESOL Stepping Stones' programme 2017-2022
ESOL Baby Steps builds on the learning from a previous Economic and Social Research Council-funded Knowledge Exchange project developed by LuCiD at University of Manchester from 2017-2022; known as ‘ESOL Stepping Stones’.
'ESOL Stepping Stones' Pilot 2018
'ESOL Stepping Stones' Pilot 2018
'ESOL Stepping Stones' was first piloted in 10 settings across Greater Manchester in 2018.
'ESOL Stepping Stones' Reach by 2020
'ESOL Stepping Stones' Reach by 2020
It was then rolled out further afield, before becoming a spin-out Community Interest Company from the University of Manchester, before finally closing in May 2022. An article about the project, written at the time, can be accessed here.
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