SEND EHCP evidence and tribunal-prep support is a UK business you could start with <£1k in capital, with a realistic year-one revenue of £20-50k and first revenue in 1-3 months. It scores 6/10 Opportunity and 5/10 Validation Depth on the startup.compare framework.
Flag: 2026 reform risk: SEND White Paper (23 Feb 2026) confirms removal of tribunal school-naming power, phased from 2028, not yet law; near-term service runway intact
Free statutory help (SENDIASS) is stretched and the paid market is fragmented between SEN solicitors, independent advocates and EP practices. The wedge is a structured, lower-cost evidence-gathering and tribunal-preparation service positioned between free overstretched SENDIASS and expensive solicitors. Demand here is money already spent, not stated interest, which is rare for an advice service.
The SEND Tribunal receives around 10,000 appeals a year with 20 to 50 week hearing waits, and parents already spend real money: private EP reports £1,050 to £1,360, advocates around £150/hour, tribunal attendance £1,800/day. The SEND White Paper (23 Feb 2026) phases reform from 2028, with no EHCP-support changes before September 2030, leaving a multi-year runway.
Regulatory position: Low-Medium: must not stray into reserved legal activity or unregulated legal advice; safeguarding and DBS where working with families.
<£1k of real cash to first customer. Technical bar: Some. Regulatory position: Low-Medium: must not stray into reserved legal activity or unregulated legal advice; safeguarding and DBS where working with families.
£20-50k, derived from price times reachable buyers, not asserted. Margin profile: High. Time to first paid work: 1-3 months.
The SEND Tribunal receives around 10,000 appeals a year with 20 to 50 week hearing waits, and parents already spend real money: private EP reports £1,050 to £1,360, advocates around £150/hour, tribunal attendance £1,800/day. The SEND White Paper (23 Feb 2026) phases reform from 2028, with no EHCP-support changes before September 2030, leaving a multi-year runway.
Track the SEND reform trail: if tribunal powers over school placement are removed, re-test the model (it may need to pivot toward needs-assessment support and annual reviews). Confirm the boundary between lawful support and reserved or regulated legal advice before trading. Verify paid demand locally: how many parents in your area have actually paid an advocate or for an EP report. Binding leg: Trigger/Timing.
Binding leg: Trigger/Timing. Sources: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary · ONS Business Demography 2024 · EdPsychs / SEN sector guides.