Little Nellies · Children, young people & families
EHCP mediation support
Mediation gives you a chance to discuss a disputed EHCP decision with the council and an independent mediator. We help you prepare the issues and evidence, and attend with you where agreed. Preparation and attendance are separate services. Little Nellies is the SEND and EHCP service of Nellie Supports Ltd, supporting families in England.
Fees including VAT: preparation £864; attendance £576. Preparation and attendance are separate services.
At a glance
- Use at: a disputed council decision or EHCP where mediation may help explore agreement.
- Support: preparation and optional attendance, agreed as separate stages.
- Fees including VAT: preparation £864; attendance £576. Preparation and attendance are separate services.
- Who delivers: a named member of our SEND team with relevant expertise for the agreed work.
- Location: England, with in-person or video arrangements agreed before booking.
Is mediation the right next step?
An independent mediator helps the parties discuss the issues and explore agreement. They do not decide which side wins or impose a Tribunal decision. Taking part in a mediation meeting is voluntary.
A decision letter may require you to contact a mediation adviser before appealing. That is different from a requirement to attend a meeting. We help you understand the route for your decision and what you want to achieve.
Statutory mediation is free. You do not need to buy our support to use it. Our service is for families who want help organising their position or someone alongside them at the meeting.
The preparation and attendance we offer
Preparation
We help set out the mediation issues and follow up arrangements with the provider and council within the agreed scope. We organise the relevant records, prepare the written position for the council and link proposed changes to the evidence.
A preparation discussion covers your priorities, the questions you want answered and any proposal you may need time to consider. We explain the meeting arrangements and agree how your views and the child or young person’s views will be presented.
Attendance and follow-up
Where instructed, we attend in person or by video and support you in presenting the issues, considering proposals and checking the wording of any agreement. The agreed attendance service includes pre-meeting and post-meeting discussions and a written note of the outcome.
The note identifies what was agreed, who needs to act, any unresolved points and the next steps. We check certificate and appeal dates where they are relevant.
Fees and payment stages
Preparation costs £864 including VAT. Attendance costs £576 including VAT. Your written quote separates the two services and confirms what each includes, the total for the work you choose and the payment terms before instruction.
Preparation covers the agreed request, evidence and planning work. Attendance is invoiced when the mediation date is confirmed and is not charged if no meeting takes place.
If mediation does not resolve the dispute, appeal casework is a separate instruction. Relevant preparation can inform it, but we confirm the scope and fee before additional work starts.
Mediation certificates and appeal deadlines
Most SEND appeals require a mediation certificate before they are lodged. Exceptions include an appeal solely about the school or other institution named in Section I, its type, or no institution being named. Check the decision letter and the route that applies to your case.
With your permission, we can contact the mediation provider, help you understand the options and support you in obtaining a certificate where one is needed. The provider issues the certificate and may need to speak with you directly.
Where a certificate is required, you normally need to contact the mediation adviser within two months of the council sending its decision. The usual appeal deadline is two months from the decision letter or one month from the mediation certificate, whichever is later. We check the actual dates and requirements for your appeal.
Children and Families Act 2014: mediation and certificate requirements
What to prepare for the meeting
- The decision letter or EHCP and the council’s covering correspondence.
- Relevant advice from education, health and social care professionals.
- School records and information about the setting’s proposed support.
- Your account and the child or young person’s views, including daily experience outside school.
- The decision or changes you want, with the evidence supporting each point.
We agree which documents are needed and how they will be shared. A clear account of the disputed issues is more useful than an unexplained collection of reports.
What happens after mediation
Mediation may resolve all, some or none of the issues. Any agreement should identify the action, the responsible body and the applicable timescale. We help you understand the written record and distinguish agreed matters from those still disputed.
If issues remain, you can consider the appropriate appeal route. A mediation discussion or planned follow-up does not remove the need to check the appeal deadline. If an agreement is not implemented, seek prompt advice about the appropriate next step.
Working with you and your family
Your named contact explains the work and keeps the next actions clear. The child or young person’s views remain central, and we agree communication, accessibility and participation arrangements before the meeting.
After compulsory school age, SEND decision-making rights generally transfer to the young person. We check how they wish to be involved, what support they need and who has authority to act.
Our SEND practitioners work within their relevant expertise. Social work, psychological or other specialist input is included only where expressly agreed. We identify any question requiring a solicitor or a different specialist.
Questions about mediation support
How long does the council have to arrange mediation?
The usual statutory arrangements include a 30-day period after the relevant request. The starting point and responsible body depend on the issues, so we check the provider’s correspondence and the requirements applying to your case.
What if the council will not agree to the changes?
The mediator cannot impose agreement. We explain what remains disputed and the evidence relevant to it so you can consider your next step, including any available appeal.
Can you attend if I only want support at the meeting?
Tell us what preparation has already been done. We check the documents and time available, then confirm whether we can offer an attendance instruction and what preparation it requires.
Does using mediation mean I cannot appeal?
You may still be able to appeal unresolved matters. The decision, issues and certificate determine the relevant route and dates; taking part in mediation does not guarantee an extension beyond those rules.
Free help and advice
You can use free information and advice when deciding what to do next. Paid support is optional. Check each organisation’s current availability and whether any additional service carries a charge.
IPSEA: SEND law information, model letters and advice services
SOS!SEN: SEND information and advice for families
Find your local SENDIASS for free, impartial information, advice and support
Related EHCP guides and support
Book your free 15-minute call
Tell us which decision you want to discuss, whether you have contacted a mediation provider and any meeting or appeal date. The call helps us identify the service that fits your situation, check availability and explain the next step. It does not include a document review or detailed case advice; we explain any proposed paid work before you decide.