Ben Slater: Expert Practice
Ben Slater is a senior social work professional and expert witness based in Grantham, Lincolnshire. He is registered with Social Work England and is a member of the British Association of Social Workers. His career is defined by a commitment to practice excellence and the development of standards in mental capacity work.
He founded Nellie Supports Ltd in February 2019, which he has grown into a specialist private social work and mental capacity assessment practice operating across England and Wales. Ben is the creator of TCAF, the Therapeutic Capacity Assessment Framework, and the Nellie Standards, a quality framework for social work and capacity assessment.
Areas of Expertise
Mental Capacity Act
Expert assessments and evidence in capacity and best interests decisions.
Expert Witness Practice
Providing authoritative evidence in Court of Protection, probate and civil matters.
COP3 Reports
Specialist reports for Court of Protection and Care and Health Act 2004.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
Expert assessments and appeals for care funding and NHS Continuing Healthcare.
Financial Vulnerability
Expert assessments for financial vulnerability and safeguarding.
Capacity & Safeguarding
Comprehensive assessments for capacity, safeguarding and best interests.
Thought Leadership
TCAF • NELLIE STANDARDS • BEST PRACTICE •
The Therapeutic Capacity Assessment Framework, developed by Ben Slater, provides a structured and evidence-based approach to mental capacity assessments, ensuring consistency and clinical excellence.
A quality framework for social work and capacity assessment, designed to set the benchmark for professional practice and clinical integrity across England and Wales.
Through Nellie Con and the podcast, Ben shares expert insights and thought leadership, fostering professional development and peer discussion in the field of mental capacity work.
Registered with Social Work England
Accredited Financial Vulnerability Assessor
MoCA Assessor
ACEII Assessor
Member of BASW
The Practice
Nellie Supports Ltd operates as a specialist private social work and mental capacity assessment practice with a national reach across England and Wales. The practice is a Living Wage employer and committed to climate-positive operations. In 2025, Little Nellies Ltd was launched as a subsidiary to provide expert advocacy for EHCP and SEND support.
Professional Experience
2019 – Present
Founder & Managing Director
Leading a specialist private social work and mental capacity assessment practice operating across England and Wales.
2015 – 2019
Social Worker
Local authority social work across Lincolnshire and Rutland County Councils in locality and hospital discharge teams, supporting adults with mental health difficulties including dementia.
2014 – 2016
Guest Lecturer
Delivering academic presentations and workshops on mental capacity law and social work practice.