SEND support for solicitors

A solicitor may need a clearer account of a child or young person’s needs, an analysis of the evidence behind proposed provision, or practical support with an EHCP case. This section explains how our existing assessment and SEND services may contribute to that work.

We distinguish professional assessment from advocacy and case preparation. An independent opinion must reflect the evidence, including limitations or findings that do not support a preferred outcome. Your firm retains responsibility for legal advice, legal submissions and the conduct of proceedings.

The appropriate practitioner, professional role, questions to be answered and final deliverables must be agreed before an instruction is accepted. A request does not confirm a booking or guarantee an outcome.

Social-care evidence for an EHCP matter

Our existing EHCP Evidence Pack includes a social-care assessment and care plan. Discuss the assessment questions, relevant daily-life needs and intended use of the evidence. A standalone element must be agreed rather than assumed.

Placement and provision analysis

The Evidence Pack includes provider profiles, provision analysis and comparison with the plan. This can help make the factual questions clearer. It is not a separate placement-finding guarantee or a legal opinion on which setting must be named.

Expert reports and attendance

Ask about independent expert evidence within our professional expertise. The expert role, report requirements and availability for attendance need separate agreement. Neither an Evidence Pack nor hearing representation automatically includes expert-witness attendance.

Evidence review and case preparation

Our existing Evidence Review, content-appeal support and working-document services can help identify gaps, organise information and clarify proposed EHCP changes. Scope must specify which of these tasks is required.

• Identify the child or young person’s age range, jurisdiction and procedural stage without sending sensitive case material in the first enquiry.
• Set out the questions you need answered and whether the role is independent assessment, expert evidence, advocacy or preparation support.
• Flag directions, report deadlines and any proposed hearing date so that feasibility can be checked.
• Agree the documents, access to the child or family, consent or other appropriate authority, communication needs and secure document-transfer arrangements.
• Confirm the named practitioner, deliverables, exclusions, fee, expenses and timescale in writing.

Does Little Nellies act as a SEND solicitor?

No. Little Nellies is an independent SEND advocacy and support provider within Nellie Supports, not a solicitors’ firm. This section is for solicitors seeking professional evidence or defined support, not an offer of solicitor services.

Can a service be instructed on its own?

Discuss the specific task with us. Some work described here is a component of the existing EHCP Evidence Pack or another service. A separate page does not make every component a separately available or fixed-fee service.

Is support available outside England?

This section addresses EHCP and SEND Tribunal matters in England. Do not apply the same legal process to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Ask us to clarify suitability for any cross-border instruction.

Are fees or urgent turnaround guaranteed?

No. The instruction’s scope, practitioner availability and deadlines must be checked. We will confirm the fee and timetable for the agreed work; this page does not promise a report or hearing attendance by a particular date.

• Independent SEND social-care evidence
• Placement and provision analysis
• SEND expert evidence and attendance
• SEND evidence review and case preparation
• Family-facing EHCP and SEND support

The statutory and Tribunal references below concern England. They provide context for the instruction; the instructing solicitor remains responsible for legal advice and the conduct of the case.

• SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years
• Children and Families Act 2014, Part 3
• SEND Tribunal appeals
• SEND Tribunal extended powers