One of the biggest improvements is how quickly we can respond. The time it takes to make first contact with families after a referral has dropped from 3.8 days to just 56 hours. We’re also able to offer appointments within two weeks, compared to the 3–5 week wait we had before.

With the extra capacity, we’ve been out and about more too. This term, we’ve visited three primary schools and hosted SEN parent drop-in coffee mornings. These have been great for connecting with families who might not know what support is available—and we’ll be doing more of them going forward.

We’ve also started running monthly face-to-face parenting workshops in different areas. In May we were in Fenland, and next month we’re heading to King’s Lynn. These sessions are a great way for parents to get practical advice and support, in person.

Another big win is that we can now take on more specialised areas, like sleep support. Since Sleep Solutions closed due to lack of funding, there’s been nowhere to refer families struggling with sleep issues in Cambridgeshire. But with training from Sleep England, we’re ready to step in and help fill that gap.

What feels most important, though, is being back in the community and able to spend more time with families face to face. We’re not just ticking boxes—we’re giving families the time and emotional support they need as they navigate their journey. Before, we were stretched too thin to do that properly, but now we finally can.

Thanks to Crown, we’re not only reaching more families—we’re doing it better.