EHCP & SEND
support.

01Your support at a glance

Little Nellies supports parents, carers and young people in England. Your named contact explains the work, who will deliver it and the next step. After compulsory school age, decision-making rights generally transfer to the young person; we agree how they wish to be involved and who has authority to act.

Every service receives an official written quote confirming the work, total fee including VAT, payment stages and any separate charges before instruction.

See the EHCP support fee table

EHCPs follow the English SEND system. Wales uses the separate ALN and IDP system. A plan does not automatically continue until age 25.

02Choose the service for your stage

Applying or responding to a draft

• EHCP application support — prepare an evidenced request for assessment
• Draft EHCP review — check the draft and prepare your response

Mediation, appeals and hearings

• Mediation support — prepare your position and agree any attendance
• Refusal appeal — challenge a refusal to assess or to issue a plan
• Content appeal — challenge educational needs, provision or placement
• SEND Tribunal hearing representation — support at an agreed hearing
• Working-document support — help with wording when you manage your appeal

Evidence and keeping the plan up to date

• Evidence review — understand what your existing records support
• EHCP Evidence Pack — commission assessment and supporting reports for agreed questions
• Annual-review support — prepare for the meeting and follow up the decision

03How we work with your family

You bring knowledge of your child. We bring time to review the records, explain the issues and prepare the work needed at your stage. The decision to assess and the later decision to issue a plan have different legal tests; we focus on the decision being made.

The child or young person’s views, strengths and everyday experience remain central. We make space for what happens at home as well as what professionals see in school. Tell us about communication, accessibility or participation needs so we can agree suitable arrangements.

SEND practitioners lead applications, reviews and advocacy. Your quote identifies the practitioner for each assessment and any agreed specialist input. Educational psychology, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and diagnosis require the appropriate expertise.

We welcome evidence from SENCOs and other professionals, connect proposed changes to the records, and explain gaps and uncertainty. Our own Nellie Standard framework asks that recommendations have clear reasons and that the limits of the evidence are stated.

04Fees and payment stages

Refusal appeals cost £3,300 including VAT, paid 40%, 30% and 30%. Content appeals cost £5,400 including VAT, paid 30%, 25%, 25% and 20%. Each fixed fee covers the agreed scope. Additional work, travel or specialist assessment is agreed before it begins.

Hearing representation costs £1,080 including VAT and has a separate scope because not every appeal reaches a hearing. We explain any overlap with appeal preparation and what happens if a hearing is no longer needed in your written quote.

The Advocacy and Action Plan is a separate three-hour block, valid for 90 days. It is distinct from hourly work outside a fixed scope.

View all EHCP fees and payment stages

05Questions parents ask

Do I need a diagnosis for an EHCP?

A diagnosis is not a requirement for requesting an EHC needs assessment. The question concerns possible special educational needs and whether provision through a plan may be necessary.

How much does an EHCP advocate cost?

Application support is £1,080 including VAT, a draft review is £960 including VAT and an evidence review is £336 including VAT. Every service receives an official written quote. The quote confirms the work, total cost, payment stages and any separately charged attendance.

What is a working document?

A marked-up version of the plan showing proposed wording, agreements and the points still disputed. It helps the parties narrow the issues; the Tribunal decides the appeal.

What happens if the council concedes before the hearing?

We check exactly what has been agreed, whether any issues remain and when the agreed action must happen. Depending on the appeal and the stage reached, the next step may be a consent order made by the Tribunal, a withdrawal request using SEND8, or the procedure for an unopposed appeal. We explain the appropriate route before the appeal is brought to an end.

How long does an appeal take?

Timescales vary, and a hearing can be many months away. We check the Tribunal’s timetable and identify urgent circumstances, including an upcoming move between phases of education. Evidence can be gathered, discussions can continue and changes may be agreed with the council before the hearing; you do not have to wait until the hearing to make progress.

Are you solicitors?

Little Nellies provides SEND advocacy and independent assessment support. We explain the role of your practitioner and when a solicitor’s advice is needed.

Can I use free advice as well as Little Nellies?

Yes. Free advice and paid casework can complement each other. You choose the work you want us to undertake.

06Free information and advice

Paid support is a choice. You can ask the council for an EHC needs assessment and use statutory mediation without buying our services. Check each advice provider’s current services and availability; some additional services may carry a charge.

• IPSEA — SEND law information, model letters and advice
• SOS!SEN — SEND information and advice
• Find your local SEND information, advice and support service

07Book your free 15-minute call

Tell us what has happened, which letter or plan you have received and any deadline. We help identify the stage you have reached and the service that may fit. You do not need to know the service name before you call.

The call is for initial guidance about our services. Reviewing documents and providing individual case advice are separate paid work. We confirm availability, scope and fees before you commit.

Request your free 15-minute call

08Other support from Nellie Supports

• Social care assessments, care planning and care reviews

Independent assessment of social care needs, with the question and report scope agreed in advance.

• Mental capacity assessments

For young people aged 16 and over where a particular decision-making capacity question needs assessment.

• Court reports and expert assessments

09Sources and further information

• SEND Regulations 2014 — EHC plans and appeals
• SEND8 — withdrawal of an appeal or claim
• Tribunal Procedure Rules — including consent orders
• How we prepare and review website information