diff --git a/classes/local/helpers/webservicehelper.php b/classes/local/helpers/webservicehelper.php
index 96f114a..145728c 100644
--- a/classes/local/helpers/webservicehelper.php
+++ b/classes/local/helpers/webservicehelper.php
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 <?php
 
 namespace local_treestudyplan\local\helpers;
+require_once($CFG->dirroot.'/webservice/lib.php');
+
 
 class webservicehelper {
     /** @var \context_system */
@@ -53,19 +55,23 @@ class webservicehelper {
         }
         
         $children = $parent->get_children();
+        // Since the change for a category permission is greatest at the lower levels,
+        // we scan in two stages, to focus the search more on the lower levels instead of diving deep into the first category
+        // Stage one (surface check): check all children for the capability
         foreach($children as $child){
             // Check if we should add this category
             if(has_capability($capability,$child->get_context())){
                 return true;
-            } else {
-                if($child->get_children_count() > 0){
-                    if(self::has_capability_in_any_category($capability,$child)){
-                        return true;
-                    }
+            } 
+        }
+        // Stage two (deep dive): recurse into the child categories
+        foreach($children as $child){
+            if($child->get_children_count() > 0){
+                if(self::has_capability_in_any_category($capability,$child)){
+                    return true;
                 }
             }
         }
-
         return false;
     }