England’s Largest Private Social Work Practice for Mental Capacity Assessments, CHC Appeals & EHCP Advocacy
We provide independent mental capacity assessments, strategic NHS Continuing Healthcare appeals and specialist EHCP advocacy across England & Wales. Our multidisciplinary team delivers CPR Part 35-compliant expert reports for Court of Protection, contested funding decisions and complex health, care and education disputes.
Acting for families, solicitors, deputies and professional bodies, we bring structured analysis, statutory expertise and court-ready clarity to high-stakes matters nationwide.
One multidisciplinary team. Court-ready expertise. Nationwide coverage.
Trusted by Thousands. Guided by Experience. Committed to You.
6000+
Over 6000 Assessments completed
50+ Years
Combined Expertise
100%
Coverage of England & Wales
4.9 ⭐
Our Services
We act for families, solicitors, deputies and local authorities across England & Wales, delivering independent assessments, structured appeals and strategic case management in complex mental capacity, NHS Continuing Healthcare and SEND matters.
Mental Capacity Assessments
Independent, decision-specific mental capacity assessments for Court of Protection deputyship applications, testamentary capacity (wills), Lasting Powers of Attorney and complex financial or welfare decisions.
Our registered expert assessors produce structured, evidence-based reports compliant with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and CPR Part 35, accepted by courts, solicitors and local authorities across England & Wales.
Our Mental Capacity Services Include:
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COP3 Mental Capacity Assessments (Court of Protection)
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Testamentary Capacity Assessments (Wills – Banks v Goodfellow)
EHCP & SEND Appeal Advocacy
Specialist guidance and strategic advocacy in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), from initial applications through to mediation and SEND Tribunal appeals.
We act for families nationwide in complex SEND disputes, preparing structured submissions, evidence-led representations and tribunal-ready documentation under the Children and Families Act 2014.
Our Services Include:
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EHCP Applications (EHC Needs Assessments)
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EHCP Draft Plan Reviews
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Refusal to Assess & Refusal to Issue Appeals
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Section B & F Challenges
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SEND35 & SEND35a Appeals
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Mediation & SEND Tribunal Preparation
Social Care & Case Management
Independent social care assessments, structured care planning and ongoing case management delivered across England & Wales.
We act for individuals, families and professional deputies to design legally robust, evidence-based care packages, secure appropriate funding and coordinate multi-agency provision under the Care Act 2014.
Our Services Include:
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Support
Strategic assessment, challenge and appeal support in NHS Continuing Healthcare funding disputes across England & Wales.
We provide structured eligibility reviews, Decision Support Tool (DST) analysis and evidence-led appeals under the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare - acting from initial Checklist through to Independent Review Panel and Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman stages.
Our Services Include:
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CHC Eligibility Assessments & DST Reviews
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Ombudsman Submissions & Escalation
About Nellie Supports & Our Team.
At Nellie Supports, we are England’s largest private social work practice. Our multidisciplinary team is composed entirely of full-time professionals working exclusively within our organisation.
We are not a network of associates or ad hoc assessors. Our professionals collaborate daily, share expertise across disciplines and operate within a structured internal framework designed to ensure consistency, accountability and legal robustness in every report.
Since 2019, we have completed over 6,000 assessments nationwide, delivering court-ready reports compliant with CPR Part 35 and grounded in the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Care Act 2014 and the Children and Families Act 2014.
We specialise in:
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Mental capacity assessments for Court of Protection proceedings, wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney
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NHS Continuing Healthcare eligibility disputes and appeals
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EHCP applications, challenges and SEND Tribunal advocacy
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Independent social care assessments and ongoing case management
Every assessment is decision-specific, evidence-based and produced within a structured professional environment built for legal scrutiny.
Nationwide coverage. Court-ready expertise. Full-time professionals.
Meet Team Nellie
Family is at the heart of every elephant’s life and just like people, elephants care, comfort, empathise, work together and even hug. We thought it was a great way to sum up our compassionate, collaborative approach and our mission to protect and support individuals, and the families and communities they’re a part of.
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Why Choose Nellie Supports?
Choosing the right independent social work practice matters when decisions carry legal, financial and personal consequence. At Nellie Supports, our full-time multidisciplinary team delivers consistent, court-ready outcomes across mental capacity, NHS Continuing Healthcare and SEND matters.
Our full-time team of registered social workers, psychologists and specialist experts brings decades of combined experience across mental capacity law, NHS Continuing Healthcare funding and SEND tribunal work. Every report is prepared within a structured internal framework, ensuring clarity, consistency and compliance with the relevant statutory framework.
We understand the significance of these matters, whether you are preparing for Court of Protection proceedings, challenging NHS funding decisions or securing appropriate educational provision. Our reports are compliant with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and CPR Part 35 standards, and are routinely accepted by courts, solicitors and professional deputies across England & Wales.
With a 4.9-star client rating, national coverage and clear communication at every stage, Nellie Supports is trusted by families and legal professionals alike.
What Our Clients Say
Used Nellie Supports to provide a Mental Capacity assessment on a close family member and the assessor was very professional & patient throughout and showed the necessary empathy when things took a difficult turn during the assessment.
Nick Prince
Efficient and well-organised service. The assessor was thorough, professional, empathetic and produced a comprehensive report within 24 hours of the interview. Excellent service all round.
David Laws
The Team at Nellie Supports are always helpful. Always providing advice and information where necessary. Prompt in responding with quotes. I always recommend to others within my organisation.
Ann-Marie (solicitor)
Dive Deeper: Expert Insights on Trustee Capacity
Frequently Asked Questions
A mental capacity assessment determines whether a person can understand, retain, use and weigh information relevant to a specific decision, in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. You'll need one when there's doubt about someone's ability to make a specific decision—whether that's managing money, making a will, granting Lasting Powers of Attorney, or appointing a deputy through the Court of Protection. Our assessments are CPR Part 35 compliant and accepted by courts, solicitors, and local authorities across England and Wales.
Our standard mental capacity assessments start at £496 (excluding VAT). Dual or complex assessments—covering both LPA for finances and health/welfare, or dual COP3 deputyships—are £767. Retrospective assessments for contested wills or insurance litigation are £3,245, as they require detailed review of health and social care records. We also charge £40 per hour for travel time, with no radius limit. View our full pricing.
Most assessments are completed within 3-4 weeks from booking, depending on current workload. We conduct 95% of our assessments face-to-face because clients prefer the personal approach, though video assessments are available with a 7-day turnaround. Every report is reviewed by Louise, our senior social worker, to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Our assessments are carried out by registered social workers (Social Work England), chartered psychologists (HCPC), and qualified psychologists (BPS). Our team includes Ben (Principal Social Worker and Director), Louise (Mental Capacity Lead), and psychologists like Olga (Chartered Psychologist). Every assessor is suitably qualified, experienced, and trained in the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Absolutely. All our mental capacity reports are CPR Part 35 compliant and prepared to the highest legal standards. They're routinely accepted by the Court of Protection, solicitors, professional deputies, and local authorities throughout England and Wales. We've completed over 6,000 assessments since 2019 with a 4.9-star rating.
NHS Continuing Healthcare is fully funded care for individuals with significant, ongoing health needs. If someone's primary need is health-related (rather than social care), they may qualify for CHC funding—covering care home fees, nursing, or support at home. Eligibility is assessed using the Decision Support Tool, which evaluates needs across 12 care domains. Many families are unaware of CHC or have applications wrongly rejected. We help you understand eligibility, challenge decisions, and secure the funding you're entitled to.
We offer comprehensive support at every stage: reviewing your initial CHC assessment, identifying errors or overlooked evidence, preparing detailed appeal submissions, attending MDT meetings, and representing you through Independent Review Panels and Ombudsman complaints. Our services range from £250 consultations to full appeal support (£9,000+), and we're here to guide you through every step of a complex, often frustrating process.
Don't give up. Many initial CHC decisions are overturned on appeal. We'll review your case, identify weaknesses in the original decision, gather supporting evidence (medical records, care plans, professional opinions), and build a robust appeal. You have the right to request a Local Resolution meeting, escalate to an Independent Review Panel, and ultimately involve the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman if necessary.
Timelines vary. Local Resolution meetings typically happen within 6 weeks of your request. Independent Review Panels can take 3-6 months. Ombudsman reviews may take 12 months or longer. We'll keep you informed at every stage and ensure deadlines are met, evidence is submitted on time, and your case is presented as strongly as possible.
We support families at every stage: reviewing draft EHCPs, identifying gaps or weaknesses, preparing evidence packs, attending mediation, drafting appeal submissions, and representing you at SEND Tribunals. Our EHCP services start at £290 for draft reviews, with full tribunal support at £600 (including a comprehensive evidence pack). We know the system inside out and fight to secure the right provision for your child.
EHCP tribunal delays are frustratingly common, and we're developing protocols to support families through extended waits. While the process is ongoing, we'll help you hold the local authority accountable, ensure interim provision is in place, and keep your case moving. Get in touch to discuss your specific situation.
Both. We help with initial EHCP applications, draft reviews, amendments, annual reviews, mediation, and tribunal appeals. Whether you're starting from scratch or challenging a decision, we'll guide you through the statutory process and ensure your child's needs are properly assessed and met.
We offer comprehensive support including social care assessments, care planning, arranging and managing care packages, benefits reviews (PIP, DWP entitlements), and ongoing case management through our Nellie+ plans (£39-£399/month). Whether you're a family member, professional deputy, or local authority, we'll help you design, fund, and manage care that meets complex needs.
Both. We offer face-to-face assessments throughout England and Wales (our clients overwhelmingly prefer this), as well as remote assessments via secure video call. Desktop assessments, virtual mediation, and tribunal representation are also available remotely. Wherever you're based, we'll provide tailored support to meet your needs.
our team travels nationwide for face-to-face assessments. Remote services are available everywhere. Get in touch to discuss availability in your area.
Simply call us on 0333 987 5118, email Nellie@nelliesupports.com, or use our online contact form. Our client liaison team (led by Amelia) will arrange an initial consultation, understand your needs, and guide you through the next steps. We respond to enquiries the same day, with CHC and EHCP queries answered within 48 hours.
Yes. We charge £40 per hour for travel time, with no radius limit. This applies to all face-to-face assessments and ensures our team can reach you wherever you're based across England and Wales. Travel fees are clearly outlined when you book, so there are no surprises.
We're England's largest private social work practice, with a multidisciplinary team that includes registered social workers, chartered psychologists, a forensic scientist, and an SRA solicitor. We've completed over 6,000 assessments since 2019, all CPR Part 35 compliant and court-ready. We're members of BASW and the Financial Vulnerability Taskforce, and we maintain complete independence—no referral partnerships, no paybacks, no conflicts of interest. Just expert, compassionate support tailored to your unique circumstances.
Our social workers are registered with Social Work England, our psychologists with the HCPC and BPS, and our solicitor with the SRA. We're members of BASW (British Association of Social Workers) and the Financial Vulnerability Taskforce. Every assessment is reviewed by our senior team, and we adhere to the Mental Capacity Act 2005, CPR Part 35, and all relevant professional standards.
We're rated 4.9 stars on Google Reviews, with over 122 reviews from families, solicitors, and professional deputies. Clients consistently praise our compassionate approach, clear communication, and the quality of our court-ready reports. Read our reviews here.
Yes. We provide COP3 mental capacity assessments, which are required for all deputyship applications to the Court of Protection. Our reports are CPR Part 35 compliant and accepted by the court. We can also provide ongoing social care support and case management for professional deputies managing complex cases.
Absolutely. A significant portion of our work comes from legal professionals, will writers, professional deputies, and personal injury solicitors. We understand the legal standards required, deliver reports on time, and provide expert witness testimony when needed. We're trusted by solicitors across England and Wales for testamentary capacity, COP3, and LPA assessments.