For a long time, introducing new tools into practice has required encouragement… reminders… and, if I’m honest, a fair bit of nudging from me.

That’s not unusual. In fact, research into professional behaviour change shows that even highly skilled practitioners can take time to adopt new systems, especially when those systems challenge familiar routines.

But recently, something has changed.

Practitioners within our children’s franchise are no longer waiting to be told what to do with tools like AI. They’re exploring, experimenting, and – most importantly – applying what they discover in real client work.

That shift from passive learning to active innovation is where real growth happens.

Sometimes the most powerful transformations aren’t taught – they’re chosen.

A Simple Idea, Creatively Reimagined

During a recent training, I introduced a DBT technique known as the STOP skill – a practical strategy designed to help children pause before reacting emotionally.

If you’ve ever looked at a DBT handbook, you’ll know it’s… functional. Black and white. Text-heavy. Let’s just say it doesn’t exactly leap off the page for a child who’s already dysregulated.

So one of our practitioners, Nicola, decided to do something different.

Instead of presenting the technique as it appears in the manual, she used AI to redesign it entirely. She created a version that was visually engaging, simple to understand, and far more accessible for her client.

And the result?

Not only did the child engage with the tool – they used it.

That’s the difference between delivering information and creating impact.

Why This Matters More Than It Seems

What Nicola did might sound like a small tweak. A redesign. A bit of creativity.

But it represents something much bigger.

She didn’t just follow a framework – she adapted it. She took ownership of the material and shaped it around the needs of her client.

And in doing so, she’s created something that now has value beyond that one session. A tool that can be shared, refined, and used across the wider children’s franchise network.

This is how innovation spreads – not through top-down instruction, but through practitioner-led initiative.

It’s also a powerful reminder that the effectiveness of any technique isn’t just in the theory. It’s in how it’s delivered.

When practitioners feel empowered to create, not just comply, the quality of their work transforms.

The Future of a Children’s Franchise

What excites me most about this isn’t just the use of AI.

It’s the mindset behind it.

Because a thriving children’s franchise isn’t built on people who wait for permission. It’s built on people who are curious, proactive, and willing to try something new in service of better outcomes for their clients.

Nicola’s approach demonstrates exactly that.

She saw a gap between what the material offered and what her client needed – and instead of accepting it, she bridged it.

So this is a well-deserved shout-out: well done, Nicola.

Not just for using AI, but for using it thoughtfully. Creatively. Purposefully.

And for contributing something valuable back into the community.

Because that’s how we grow – together.

by Gemma Bailey (with the help of Ai)

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