Explored was CC2i’s work with three local authorities and how this experience shaped the development of Kintra. In collaboration with Norfolk, Bradford and West Northamptonshire councils, we created three AI digital assistants – Cora, Annie and Rose – designed to transform the way people access adult social care information and advice. Much like SEND, adult social care involves navigating a vast amount of information, which can make finding the right support challenging. These AI assistants streamline that process by curating local authority information and delivering it through WhatsApp, offering a simple way for users to ask questions, access guidance, and feel reassured. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with 60% of users reporting that Rose was very easy to engage with and, importantly, that it felt like they were speaking to a real person. Other responses highlighted how the assistants were able to identify key points in questions asked – insights that were vital in shaping our new product, ensuring the same successful approach could be replicated within the SEND space.

CC2i’s face to face work with local authorities has also provided valuable insight. During two days spent in South Yorkshire with unpaid carers – many of whom face challenges similar to those caring for SEND children – a clear message emerged: information is too fragmented, and the mental load of searching across multiple sources is overwhelming. Carers told us they want clear next steps and reassurance that the guidance they receive can be trusted. These first hand experiences of navigating a complex pathway, so similar to that of SEND, gave us invaluable intelligence to feed into the development of Kintra.