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England and Wales’ largest specialist mental capacity assessment provider and private social work practice
Nellie Supports is England and Wales’ largest specialist mental capacity assessment provider and specialist private social work practice. We provide independent mental capacity assessments, COP3 assessments, Court of Protection reports, strategic NHS Continuing Healthcare appeals, specialist EHCP advocacy and related independent social work services across England and Wales.
We act for families, solicitors, deputies, attorneys and professional bodies in complex, contested and high-stakes matters involving capacity, care funding, health, welfare and education. Our permanent full-time multidisciplinary team delivers structured analysis, statutory expertise, evidence-led reporting and expert reports for Court of Protection proceedings, disputed NHS funding decisions and complex education support challenges.
One permanent multidisciplinary team. England and Wales’ largest specialist MCA provider. Court-ready expertise. Nationwide coverage.
Trusted by Thousands. Guided by Experience. Committed to You.
9500+ Assessments and Reports
With over 9,500 assessments completed, we have extensive experience supporting a wide range of decision-specific needs. Our reports are structured, evidence-based and prepared with the practical requirements of families, professionals and legal settings in mind.
100% Coverage
We provide 100% coverage across England and Wales, making it easier for families, solicitors, deputies and professionals to access specialist assessments wherever they are needed. Our service is designed to be responsive, consistent and available nationally.
100+Years Experience
Our team brings together well over 100 years of combined professional experience across social work, mental capacity, safeguarding, care planning and specialist assessment practice. This depth of experience helps us approach each assessment with confidence, clarity and professional judgement.
4.9 * Rating on Google
Rated 4.9 stars on Google, our reviews reflect the trust placed in us by families, solicitors, case managers and other professionals. We are proud to be recognised for clear communication, reliable support and high-quality assessment reports.
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:
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:
About Nellie Supports & Our Team.
At Nellie Supports, we are England and Wales’ largest specialist mental capacity assessment provider and specialist private social work practice. Our multidisciplinary team is composed of permanent full-time professionals working within our organisation, not an ad hoc associate, contractor or referral-panel model.
We have completed more than 9,500 formal assessments across England and Wales. Mental capacity assessments are the largest single part of our work, supported by wider independent social work, Court of Protection, NHS Continuing Healthcare, EHCP advocacy, social care assessment and expert reporting services.
Every assessment is decision-specific, evidence-led and produced within a structured professional environment built for consistency, accountability and legal scrutiny.
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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Ben Slater
Principal Social Worker and Director
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Kerry Slater
Life Expectancy Expert and Director
Louise Thornton
Social Worker and Mental Capacity Lead
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Amelia Papworth
Customer Liaison Lead
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.
Our reports are prepared for Court of Protection, solicitor, deputy and professional use where required. Where a report is intended for proceedings, it can be prepared in a CPR Part 35-compliant format.
Nellie Supports has completed thousands of formal assessments across England and Wales. No provider can guarantee how a court, public body or decision-maker will treat an individual report, but our reports are structured to provide clear decision-specific reasoning, evidence, relevant information, practicable steps and professional analysis.
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.
Nellie Supports is England and Wales’ largest specialist mental capacity assessment provider and specialist private social work practice. Our work is delivered by a permanent full-time multidisciplinary team, not an ad hoc associate or referral-panel model.
We have completed more thousands of formal assessments across England and Wales. Our work is supported by the Nellie Standard™, our internal framework for evidence-led assessment, reporting and advocacy.
We provide decision-specific mental capacity assessments, COP3 assessments, Court of Protection reports, NHS Continuing Healthcare support, EHCP advocacy, social care assessments and related independent social work services. Where legal advice is required, families and professionals should seek advice from a solicitor or other appropriately regulated legal professional.
Nellie Supports is a specialist private social work and mental capacity assessment practice. It is not a law firm and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Members of our team hold relevant professional registrations, accreditations and memberships depending on their role, training and scope of practice. These may include Social Work England, Social Care Wales, BASW, BPS, MoCA accreditation and other relevant professional bodies.
Professional registrations are person-specific or organisation-specific as applicable. They should not be read as meaning that Nellie Supports Ltd is regulated as a law firm, clinic or medical provider.
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.
Why Families and Professionals Choose Nellie Supports
Choosing the right professional support in care, capacity and legal matters is critical. The quality of assessment, the clarity of reasoning, and the structure of evidence can directly influence decisions, outcomes, and how complex situations are resolved.
At Nellie Supports, we are an independent social work practice providing expert-led support across mental capacity, care funding, EHCP advocacy, and litigation-related reporting. Our work is delivered by qualified, registered professionals with specialist expertise across social care, legal frameworks and complex casework.
Families, solicitors and professionals instruct our services because we provide:
• clear, evidence-based assessments and reports
• structured, legally robust and defensible opinions
• multidisciplinary expertise across care, capacity and education
• nationwide coverage across England and Wales
• responsive communication and reliable turnaround times
Our services are designed to work together. Whether you require a single assessment or ongoing support across multiple areas, our approach remains consistent - structured, independent, and aligned with the legal and practical context in which decisions are made.
With thousands of assessments completed and wider support provided to families navigating care, education and legal processes, we focus on delivering work that is not only professionally rigorous, but genuinely useful in real-world decision-making.
This breadth of expertise ensures our work does not sit in isolation. Whether contributing to expert evidence or supporting wider care decisions, our input remains consistent, structured and aligned with the legal and practical context in which it is used.