Little Nellies · Children, young people & families
SEND Tribunal hearing representation
You do not have to face an agreed SEND Tribunal hearing without support. We help present the relevant evidence and disputed issues, and explain what happens next. We first check the existing casework, directions and whether this service fits your case. Little Nellies is the SEND and EHCP service of Nellie Supports Ltd. We support families in England.
£1,080 including VAT for the agreed hearing instruction
At a glance
Stage
SEND Tribunal hearing listed
Deadline in play
The dates and directions in the Tribunal’s notice
Fee
£1,080 including VAT for the agreed hearing instruction
Included work
Agreed hearing representation, preparation and follow-up
Who delivers
An agreed Little Nellies SEND representative who has reviewed the case
Where
England only, in person or by video as directed
Hearing fees and what is included
The hearing representation fee is £1,080 including VAT. We review the case, hearing notice and work already instructed before confirming the scope. Your written quote identifies the representative, attendance arrangements and duration, agreed preparation and follow-up, payment date and cancellation terms.
Hearing representation is separate from refusal or content-appeal casework because it covers a distinct preparation and attendance stage. Some appeals end before a hearing. We check what preparation another instruction already covers and expressly agree any additional work, avoiding duplicate charges. A hearing-stage invoice may fall due on the hearing notice or when the final bundle is due, as set out in your quote.
If the council proposes agreement or the hearing changes, we explain the implications under the agreed terms. Completed preparation, attendance arrangements and any cancellation are considered separately.
This service does not include a new appeal package, a new professional assessment, representation by a solicitor or barrister, or expert-witness attendance. Each is a separate role or instruction.
Who this support is for
You may have a hearing notice and want help understanding what the panel will decide and how to present the evidence. The council may have agreed most issues but not the placement, a charity may have helped lodge the appeal but be unable to attend, or you may have managed the case yourself.
We first check the documents, directions, preparation needed, suitability and availability. Families who instructed a standalone working document can discuss representation without automatically buying a full appeal package.
We agree who is participating, each person’s role and any communication or access arrangements. A young person’s involvement, support needs and any authority to act are considered individually.
What we do and what you receive
- Review the relevant case documents and bundle within the agreed preparation scope, mapping the remaining disputes to their evidence.
- Discuss the hearing format, participants, issues and practical arrangements with you beforehand.
- Attend the hearing identified in the instruction, by video or in person as directed.
- Present the relevant evidence and working document, explain proposed wording and address the issues still in dispute.
- Ask relevant questions and respond to evidence within the representative’s role and the Tribunal’s procedure.
- Provide a written note after the hearing and explain the decision or next procedural step when available, including any need for further legal advice.
The preparation discussion helps you understand likely topics and where the evidence is found. Witnesses give their own truthful, independent evidence; factual answers are not invented or rehearsed for them.
How the Tribunal considers the appeal
The Tribunal controls the proceedings, considers relevant evidence and decides issues within its jurisdiction. Families can represent themselves or appoint a representative under the rules. A lawyer is not mandatory, but we explain where the issues or complexity call for a solicitor or barrister.
The Tribunal controls the evidence it admits. New or late material must follow its directions and obtain appropriate permission; an existing hearing date does not create permission to submit additional evidence.
The council normally prepares the hearing bundle. We check the applicable bundle and report requirements against current practice directions and the directions in your particular case. A practice direction sets procedural requirements; it does not predict the result of an appeal.
Placement rules depend on the institution requested and statutory conditions. We identify the evidence and any issue that needs specialist legal advice. The framework includes the Children and Families Act 2014, Tribunal Procedure Rules, current practice directions and case-specific directions.
Evidence and documents for the hearing
- The hearing notice, directions and final indexed bundle.
- The working document, showing the sections and wording still in dispute.
- Council advice and the reports relied on for the proposed amendments.
- Provider profiles and provision analysis where Section I is disputed.
- The parental statement, child or young person’s views and any agreed participation arrangements.
We present relevant existing evidence. New assessment or additional case-building work must be identified and agreed separately.
What happens before and after the hearing
1. Hearing notice and instruction
Share the notice, directions and existing documents. We confirm suitability, availability and the written scope.
2. Bundle and preparation
We review the relevant documents and any issues with the bundle or directions within the agreed work, then discuss remaining disputes and participation arrangements.
3. The hearing
Attendance follows the notice and directions. Length, format and whether a decision is given immediately depend on the case; do not assume a half-day or video hearing.
4. The decision and next step
We explain the written decision or procedural next step when available and identify any further specialist advice required.
How we work with your family
Little Nellies is the SEND and EHCP service of Nellie Supports Ltd. Your casework is led by our SEND team, with social work or psychological input where it is part of the agreed service. We confirm who will carry out the work and provide a named contact and written updates.
The child or young person’s views, strengths and everyday experience remain central. Tell us about communication, accessibility or participation needs so we can agree suitable arrangements. We consider what happens at home as well as what professionals see in school.
The Nellie Standard is our own framework for clear, evidence-led work. The issues presented remain tied to the evidence and the Tribunal’s directions. Witnesses retain their own independent account. We distinguish evidence, gaps and limitations, explain our reasoning and make space for your questions.
With the family’s consent, we request relevant records from SENCOs and other professionals, explain their purpose and respect each contributor’s independent account. This service follows England’s EHCP system; Wales has a separate ALN and IDP framework.
Questions about hearing representation
What happens if the council concedes?
We check the proposed agreement and the formal route to conclude the appeal. Depending on the appeal and stage, this may involve a consent order made by the Tribunal, a SEND8 withdrawal request or the procedure for an unopposed appeal. The council’s agreement is not itself a Tribunal order. We also explain what the agreed hearing terms mean for any work and arrangements already made.
Can you take over a case we have managed ourselves?
Possibly. We must first assess the case, preparation needed and availability. Share the documents and directions promptly so we can give a clear answer and scope.
What might representation add?
For example, an appeal may have only two disputed issues left when a video hearing is listed. Preparation can clarify the relevant reports, procedure and participation needs; the representative can then present the agreed case and respond to the panel. This is an illustrative example, not a client story or a promise of success. The Tribunal makes the decision.
Are you solicitors?
No. Our service provides SEND advocacy and independent social work support. We explain the representative’s role and identify when a solicitor, barrister or an appropriately qualified assessment professional is needed.
Free help with EHCPs
You can use free information and advice, and you do not have to buy a service to take part in the EHCP process. Check current availability and the scope of each organisation’s support.
- IPSEA — SEND law information, model letters and advice services for families in England.
- SOS!SEN — SEND information and advice; some additional services may carry a charge.
- Find your local SENDIASS — free, impartial information, advice and support for children, young people and parents.
Related guides and other support
- EHCP Appeal Guide
- How EHCP Appeals Work
- EHCP Appeal Evidence Guide
- Refusal appeal — casework challenging a refusal to assess or issue.
- Content appeal — casework about Sections B, F or I, with an agreed working-document scope.
- Working document — support for families managing their own appeal.
Book your free 15-minute call
Tell us what has happened, which documents you have and any deadline. We will help identify the stage you have reached, discuss which service may fit and explain the next step. The call is an initial enquiry; document review and detailed case advice are separate paid work.