The SPROCKET Hub is excited to be hosting its first workshop, presented by Dr Jeremy Hilton. The workshop will be a gentle introduction to systems thinking and modelling. Everyone is very welcome to attend.
Sign up using this link:
forms.office.com/e/x2vGWpVJgN
🌼Wishing a meaningful Passover and a joyful Easter from all of us at SPROCKET!
🌿Chag Sameach and 🐣Happy Easter!
Congrats to SPROCKET Co‑Lead Prof Monica Lakhanpaul on her @nihr.bsky.social Senior Investigator appointment, recognising the leading applied health and social care researchers. Monica’s collaborative, community‑led work to improve outcomes for children in vulnerable communities is core to SPROCKET.
Couldn't agree more! 😀
Introducing SPROCKET Spotlight! Every month, we’ll shine a light on a different member of the SPROCKET team.
This month we meet Ryan Aoudjet, our Young Persons PPIE Lead.
Watch Ryan's video using the link below:
www.youtube.com/shorts/7aStE...
⚙️ At SPROCKET, we are adapting Large Language Model (LLM) methodologies to improve processes around transitions within SEND. We work with families, providers and policy makers to ensure that our designed LLM is flexible and robust to policy changes.
“Technology is a tool, not a colleague”
SPROCKET co-lead, Prof Jenny Shand's live evaluations of AI technologies deployed into the NHS shows that "outputs like time saved are not the same as outcomes like released capacity or improved care"
jimbethell.substack.com/p/were-rolli...
🌟 Plus: SPROCKET Hub co‑lead Prof Monica Lakhanpaul shares insights on the challenges Children with Down Syndrome and their families faced during Covid:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
🤝 World Down Syndrome Day 2026
🎥 Our animation on professionals’ experiences of the EHCP process is being showcased tomorrow at Down Syndrome Celebration @crick.ac.uk Thank you Dr Ella Rachamim for featuring it in your talk!
Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_LK...
🌙✨ Eid Mubarak to all celebrating, especially our SPROCKET families whose insight and energy inspire us every day.
🌙For #WorldSleepDay 2026, we’re sharing the Wheel of Privilege, co‑created with children&families at SPROCKET's development. It shows who has the time, health, knowledge & sleep to navigate key transitions.
🗺️ Mapping EHCP processes revealed how lack of sleep deepens disadvantage. Change is essential
Co‑produced with education, health & social care professionals
🎬by @ccanimationstudio.co.uk
💰funded by @commonwealthfund.org&@nihr.bsky.social
Led by @ucl.ac.uk @uclmaps.bsky.social @uclbrainscience.bsky.social @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social @chrischirp.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_LK...
💬 “It made me cry… it shows that we all really care, even when we know things aren’t working.” - Community paediatrician
🔧This animation captures the strain, messiness, and humanity of the professionals trying to make EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans) works
📣 Another Job Alert!
We’re hiring a Band 7 Research Associate for the SPROCKET Hub at @greatormondst.bsky.social & @uclchildhealth.bsky.social, co‑producing research with children, young people and families.
🕒 Full‑time, 48 months
⏳ Closes 15/03/2026
www.gosh.nhs.uk/working-here...
Happy International Women’s Day!
Today we’re celebrating the incredible women leading the SPROCKET Hub, four inspiring leads driving meaningful change across child health, research, and innovation
@chrischirp.bsky.social @uclmaps.bsky.social @uclbrainscience.bsky.social @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social
Join us: F/T Research Fellow position, based at @greatormondst.bsky.social
✨Make a real impact on services for children with complex health needs.
SPROCKET is led by @uclmaps.bsky.social @uclbrainscience.bsky.social @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social
Closes: 15/03/2026
www.gosh.nhs.uk/working-here...
At SPROCKET (co-led by Professors @chrischirp.bsky.social, Lakhanpaul, Crowe and Shand), we’re co-creating with families (@kallmemeg.bsky.social
and others) a joined up, system wide approach to change that. 🚀3/3
Families with children with multiple health conditions hit delays, confusion and gaps at key transitions. Those facing poverty or language barriers are hit hardest. 2/3
SPROCKET led by @ucl.ac.uk exists because children with complex needs still face fragmented, siloed services, even as the government’s SEND Reform white paper calls for major change.
Infographics here for the quick overview. 1/3
One of the reasons I've been more quiet this year is because our new big project has started to improve services for children with complex health needs - including looking at access to special needs education!
It's been keeping m le very busy :)
Watch this space...
We are absolutely delighted to be one of the three hubs funded by the @nihr.bsky.social £19.6m Systems Engineering Innovation Partnerships for Multiple long-term Conditions Programme
Congrats to our research team incl. @chrischirp.bsky.social @kallmemeg.bsky.social
www.nihr.ac.uk/news/ps179m-...
Full report on Children with Down Syndrome in Lockdown by SPROCKET co-lead Prof. Monica Lakhanpaul discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
Vulnerability is often structural, not individual.
If we are serious about preparedness, and about meaningful #SEND reform, we must design systems that remain coherent under pressure, especially for those who depend on them most.
🌙✨ Ramadan Mubarak from SPROCKET! ✨🌙
This month reminds us of the care and community at the heart of SPROCKET’s vision for more joined‑up, equitable support for children with complex needs and their families in all their diversity.
Peace, blessings and meaningful new beginnings!
Ramadan Kareem! 💛
Happy Lunar New Year from everyone at SPROCKET Hub! 🐴🏮🧧🧨
With this year’s vibrant spirit, we remain committed to driving progress in the services that support young people with complex needs and those who care for them.
@ucl.ac.uk turned 200 and put us in the show!
SPROCKET co‑lead, Prof Monica Lakhanpaul, featured in the spectacular light and sound show on the iconic Wilkins Building. A nod to her leadership in co‑developing community‑led solutions for children &families. Just like SPROKCET 😀
ucl200.com
🎂 @ucl.ac.uk turns 200 today. Happy #bicentenary to a university built on brave ideas and real change.
⚙️ That spirit lives on in #SPROCKET where we work work to redesign systems and processes for children with complex healthcare needs.
🎉 Here’s to the next chapter! #ucl200
#SPROCKET cuts across government so Christina’s insights will be relevant to many. If you are around, come and say hello!
Our co‑lead Prof @chrischirp.bsky.social is about to address the Government Operational Research Service Annual Conference.
She'll present on using Operational Research to improve services for children and young people with complex healthcare needs and for their carers.
@theorsociety.bsky.social
So proud to be involved in this project for my little boy 🥰