AISee Collaborative Calls for and Proposes 24-Month Study to Improve Early Support for Children and Young People

July 17, 2026

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AISee Collaborative Limited has proposed a 24-month Test-for-Change study designed to improve how children and young people with neurodevelopmental and mental health needs are identified, supported and connected with appropriate services while formal diagnostic processes are still ongoing.

Real-world Test-for-Change project aims to strengthen earlier assessment, coordinated intervention and multidisciplinary decision-making for neurodevelopmental and mental health needs.

The project, titled Better Outcomes through Integrated Collaboration in Real-World Practice, builds on AISee Collaborative Limited’s earlier collaboration and partnership Informed Solutions for Better Outcomes pilot. It will examine whether a structured, multidisciplinary partnership pathway can help families, practitioners and services make better-informed decisions at an earlier stage.


The proposal responds to continuing concerns about long waits, fragmented support pathways and delays in accessing proportionate help. The study aims to test a preventative model that brings together evidence from children and young people where appropriate, parents and carers, education, health, social care, voluntary-sector partners and clinical expertise.


“This proposed study is about making better use of shared knowledge, practical assessment and partnership working so that children, young people and families can receive clearer, earlier and more coordinated support,” said Thom Kirkwood, Project and Investigation Coordinator at AISee Collaborative Limited.

The baseline pilot involved 11 partners and 51 participants. It produced 37 completed reports and 21 feedback evaluations, drawing on 172 questionnaires. The pilot identified 329 indicative wellbeing concerns and 207 suggestions for further consideration, with 75% of collaboratively agreed actions implemented by families and professionals.


The next phase will explore how assessment tools such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Development and Well-Being Assessment, A-TAC and functional or daily living skills assessments can be used together to support earlier understanding of need. The project will not replace formal diagnosis, but is intended to improve planning, coordination and access to proportionate support.



Researchers plan to review progress at 6, 12 and 18 months, followed by a full evaluation report at 24 months. The evaluation will consider quantitative indicators such as identified concerns, suggested actions, completed interventions and follow-up outcomes, alongside qualitative feedback from children and young people where appropriate, families, practitioners and partner organisations.

About the proposed study

The proposed model would operate across real-world service settings, linking families, education, health, social care, community organisations and clinical oversight. It would generate practical outputs including assessment summaries, identified concerns, suggested actions, intervention plans, review points and partner-agency recommendations.


The study is also intended to reduce duplication, improve use of professional time, strengthen shared ownership and provide learning for future commissioning and service design. Its authors say targeted investment could support wider testing, independent evaluation and a stronger financial case for broader implementation.


For further information, interview requests or media enquiries, contact: Thom Kirkwood,  Project and Investigation Coordinator. Email: thom@aiseecollaborative.co.uk. Web: www.aiseecollaborative.co.uk. Mob: +44 (0) 7833 152192

Collaborative research team

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