# Ben Slater | Independent Social Worker & Expert Witness Source: https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/ Content updated: 2026-10-20 Ben Slater · Social worker & practice founder # Social work. Clear evidence. Human impact. I’m Ben Slater, Founder, Managing Director and Principal Social Worker at Nellie Supports. My work brings together mental capacity, independent expert evidence and a commitment to thoughtful, person-centred practice. [Explore my work→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/expertise/) [Get to know Ben→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/about/) Independent social work · England & Wales FOUNDER OF NELLIE SUPPORTS BEN SLATER · BSc (Hons) Clear thinking. People first. [↗](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/about/) Social work. Independent evidence. Professional leadership. First Class BSc Social Work, with honours University of Lincoln Since 2019 Founder of Nellie Supports Independent social work practice Registered Social worker Social Work England People first Evidence, understanding and independent judgement Where I focus ## Clarity for decisions. Care for the individual. From a complex assessment to a professional conversation, the aim is the same: understand the person, examine the evidence and explain the reasoning. [ 01 / PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE ↗ ### Mental capacity. Independent evidence. Assessment and expert witness work for solicitors, deputies, professionals and families through Nellie Supports. Explore my expertise → ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/expertise/#mental-capacity) [ 02 / STANDARDS ↗ ### Better questions. Stronger practice. The Nellie Standard and my work developing the Therapeutic Capacity Assessment Framework. Standards & frameworks → ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/standards/) [ 03 / SHARED LEARNING ↗ ### Ideas worth talking about. Speaking, professional training and conversations about capacity, safeguarding and social work. Speaking & learning → ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/speaking/) My practice also includes adult social care, safeguarding and best interests. [All areas of expertise→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/expertise/) Why I founded Nellie ## Professional rigour. A more human approach. I founded Nellie Supports in 2019 to improve access to independent social work and mental capacity assessment. My role has grown from direct practice to leading a permanent team, developing professional standards and creating space for people to learn from one another. The individual remains at the centre of that work. - BSc First Class Honours in Social Work University of Lincoln · 2011–2015 - 2019 Founded Nellie Supports Managing Director & Principal Social Worker [My background and experience→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/about/) The principle behind the practice ### A person is more than the question we are asked to answer. Good assessment needs time to understand, a supportive process and reasoning that others can follow. 01 ### Evidence before opinion Start with what is known, identify what is missing and make the basis of the conclusion visible. 02 ### A supportive process Consider how communication and the assessment setting can help a person participate. 03 ### Independent judgement Reach a reasoned view with clear limitations, rather than promise a preferred outcome. Practice. Standards. Conversation. ## Experience that informs the wider profession. [Speaking & learning→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/speaking/) - 01 ### Professional practice Direct experience of mental capacity, adult social care and independent evidence informs the questions I ask. - 02 ### Clearer standards The Nellie Standard sets out the practice’s expectations for evidence, analysis, independence and scrutiny. - 03 ### Shared learning Nellie Con, Nellie on the Sofa and professional talks bring different perspectives into the conversation. A useful starting point ## Questions, answered clearly. Looking for an assessment, a speaker or more about my professional work? [Contact the team→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/contact/) ### What does Ben Slater do? I am a social worker, independent expert witness and the founder of Nellie Supports. My work centres on mental capacity, adult social care, safeguarding, professional standards and practice leadership. ### How do I enquire about an assessment or report? Contact Nellie Supports with a brief outline of the decision or issue, the purpose of the assessment and any deadline. If you want to instruct me personally, say so when you enquire. Suitability and availability need to be confirmed before an instruction is agreed. ### Can I invite Ben to speak or deliver training? Yes. Enquiries can cover professional talks, panel discussions, training, podcasts and conferences. Please include the audience, topic, format and proposed date so that scope and availability can be discussed. ### What are the Nellie Standard and TCAF? The Nellie Standard is Nellie Supports’ own professional practice framework. TCAF stands for Therapeutic Capacity Assessment Framework and is a separate framework I am developing. Read the standards page for the distinction and the published practice guidance. Profile & sources ## About this information Professional profile of [Ben Slater](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/about/) . Website updated 20 October 2026 . For a current CV or a correction to this profile, [contact Nellie Supports](mailto:nellie@nelliesupports.com?subject=Ben%20Slater%20profile%20enquiry) . Please include the relevant page when suggesting a correction. ### Professional references - [Nellie Supports — professional practice](https://www.nelliesupports.com/) Further reading on professional background, research and practice. The next conversation ## Good work starts with a clear question. For a potential instruction, a speaking invitation or a professional conversation, contact me through the Nellie Supports team. [Get in touch→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/contact/)