The early support programme operates in 45 Pathfinder local authority areas across the country, and in 2006-07 the principles of the programme are being extended to other local authorities across the country. An independent evaluation of the programme in the Pathfinder areas was carried out in 2006 by a team from the University of Manchester and the University of Central Lancashire. The evaluation found that across the Pathfinder areas, the programme has improved the planning and delivery of services to disabled children and their families, particularly through stronger joint working across those agencies involved in providing care and support for these children. It also highlighted the key challenges that many Pathfinder areas still face in successfully integrating services for disabled children around the needs of the child. As with all pathfinder projects, best practice from the programme will form the basis for extending and embedding the principles of Early Support across the country.