About Little Nellies
Structured. Evidence-Led. Tribunal-Ready.
Little Nellies is the specialist SEND advocacy division of the Nellie Supports social work practice, providing EHCP case construction and tribunal preparation support for families across England.
Our work focuses on building structured, evidence-led cases designed to withstand scrutiny under the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEND Regulations, and the procedures of the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability).
We do not offer generic advocacy.
We construct cases around statutory duties, professional evidence and clearly defined provision.
Our work is disciplined, deadline-aware and built around one principle:
Outcomes improve when evidence is structured properly.
What We Actually Do
The SEND Tribunal does not decide cases based on emotion.
It decides them based on statutory duties, evidence and clarity.
Our role is to help families construct cases that meet those requirements.
Our work may involve:
• analysing draft EHCPs for enforceability
• identifying provision gaps and unlawful wording
• mapping professional evidence to statutory thresholds
• drafting appeal documentation (SEND35 / SEND35A)
• structuring working documents for tribunal
• preparing mediation submissions
• supporting families through tribunal preparation or representation where agreed
This is structured case construction, not generic paperwork assistance.
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Our Position Within the Nellie Supports Practice
Little Nellies Ltd operates as a subsidiary of Nellie Supports Ltd, a multidisciplinary social work practice providing independent professional services across England.
While the wider practice delivers services across areas such as:
• mental capacity assessments
• NHS Continuing Healthcare appeals
• social care assessments and care planning
• Life Expectancy Reports
• case management and complex care support
Little Nellies focuses specifically on Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) advocacy and SEND Tribunal preparation.
This structure allows families to access SEND-specific expertise while benefiting from the wider professional knowledge and governance of the Nellie Supports practice.
Understanding the Draft EHCP Stage
After completing an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment, the local authority may issue a draft Education, Health and Care Plan.
The draft typically sets out:
• Section B — the child’s special educational needs
• Section E — the outcomes the child is expected to achieve
• Section F — the special educational provision required
• health and social care elements
• the proposed educational placement
Under the Children and Families Act 2014, the provision described in Section F must be clearly specified and quantified.
In practice, however, draft plans often contain wording that is vague or difficult to enforce.
Examples include phrases such as:
• “access to support”
• “regular opportunities for therapy”
• “support as required”
Language like this can create uncertainty about what support must actually be delivered.
Reviewing the draft carefully allows these issues to be addressed before the plan becomes final.
Our Method
Every case follows a structured pathway.
Stage Identification
We identify where the case sits within the EHCP process — application, draft review, refusal decision, mediation or tribunal.
Threshold Analysis
We examine what the law actually requires at that stage.
Evidence Mapping
We review whether available evidence supports the statutory test.
Provision Alignment
We ensure the child’s needs translate into clear, quantified and enforceable provision.
Submission Structure
Appeals and written submissions are prepared clearly and logically.
Tribunal Preparation
Where cases proceed to hearing, documentation and arguments are organised for tribunal scrutiny.
We do not rely on volume.
We rely on structure.
National Coverage
Little Nellies supports families across England.
All tribunal work relates to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability).
Most services are delivered remotely, allowing families to access specialist SEND advocacy regardless of location.
Where appropriate, in-person support may also be arranged.
Professional Standards and Expertise
Little Nellies is the specialist SEND advocacy division of the Nellie Supports social work practice.
Our EHCP work is delivered by professionals who understand both the statutory SEND framework and the practical realities families face when navigating local authority processes.
Our team includes:
• Social Work England registered social workers
• Social Care Wales registered social workers
• members of the British Association of Social Workers
• SEND practitioners with postgraduate qualifications
• multidisciplinary professionals with experience across education, health and social care
This combination of statutory knowledge and real-world advocacy experience allows us to review EHCP drafts carefully and identify where plans may need strengthening before they become final.
Why Families Choose Little Nellies
Because the SEND system is procedural.
And preparation matters.
Families choose Little Nellies because we combine:
• professional discipline
• statutory literacy
• evidence-led drafting
• clear communication
• defined case pathways
We are calm where others are reactive.
We are structured where others are vague.
And that difference shows in the paperwork.
Begin With a Strategic Case Review
If you are currently within an EHCP process - whether reviewing a draft plan, preparing for mediation, or approaching an appeal deadline - the most effective starting point is often a structured case review.
This allows our team to examine the stage your case has reached, assess the available evidence, and advise on the most appropriate next steps within the EHCP process.
Talk to us today
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