# The Nellie Standard & TCAF | Ben Slater

Source: https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/standards/

Content updated: 2026-10-20

[Home](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/) / Standards & frameworks

Standards & frameworks

# Better practice begins with better questions.

My standards work is about making professional judgement easier to understand, examine and improve: from the evidence gathered to the explanation of the final opinion.

## Two connected areas of work

The Nellie Standard is the published professional practice framework at Nellie Supports. TCAF — the Therapeutic Capacity Assessment Framework — is a separate framework I am developing. Both reflect my interest in clear reasoning and a thoughtful assessment process.

[The Nellie Standard](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/standards/#nellie-standard) [TCAF in development](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/standards/#tcaf)

Published practice framework

## The Nellie Standard. Reasoning made visible.

I developed the Nellie Standard to set out what good professional work should look like within Nellie Supports: careful evidence, the right question, individual analysis and a conclusion that can withstand scrutiny.

It connects the assessment process with supervision, proportionate professional scrutiny, independence and clear explanations of limitations. The review arrangements appropriate to an instruction depend on its scope and complexity; this website does not promise blanket senior or peer review of every report.

The Nellie Standard is the practice’s own framework. It is not a regulator or an external accreditation, and it sits alongside the law, professional registration and relevant guidance.

[Read the published standard→ ](https://www.nelliesupports.com/about-nellie-supports/professional-standards)

Why it matters

### A conclusion is only as useful as the reasoning behind it.

Professional readers need to see what the opinion is based on, how competing evidence has been considered and what remains uncertain.

The practice’s published standards describe the framework and governance arrangements in more detail.

### Seven principles of the Nellie Standard

- 01

#### Evidence before opinion

Identify the relevant evidence before reaching a view.

- 02

#### Correct test first

Establish the professional question and the applicable test.

- 03

#### Specific analysis

Explain the individual circumstances and the decision in question.

- 04

#### Supportive process

Consider communication, participation and the assessment environment.

- 05

#### Transparent reasoning

Show how the evidence leads to the opinion.

- 06

#### Clear conclusions

Answer the question and state the limits of the answer.

- 07

#### Capable of scrutiny

Make the work understandable and open to professional examination.

A framework in development

## TCAF. A more thoughtful assessment.

TCAF stands for the Therapeutic Capacity Assessment Framework.

I am developing TCAF as part of my work on mental capacity assessment and the experience of the person being assessed. It reflects a focus on understanding the individual and creating a process in which they can participate.

TCAF is work in development. This website does not present it as an independently validated assessment test, an external accreditation or a replacement for the applicable legal test.

For professional discussion about this work, or a related speaking enquiry, please contact me through Nellie Supports.

[Discuss standards and assessment→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/contact/#enquiry)

Development focus

### Participation. Understanding. Careful judgement.

The way an assessment is conducted matters alongside the questions that it asks.

[Explore my professional work→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/expertise/)

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

- [The Nellie Standard — published practice framework](https://www.nelliesupports.com/about-nellie-supports/professional-standards)

Further reading on professional background, research and practice.

Further information

[About Ben Slater→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/about/) [Mental capacity assessment work→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/expertise/#mental-capacity) [Speaking about professional practice→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/speaking/)

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/)