Build your case
Evidence organiser & proof builder.
A useful case is not a bigger pile of documents. It is a clear link between the question being decided and the evidence that helps answer it.
1. Define the question first
What decision, action or failure are you dealing with?
Example: “The local authority refused an EHC needs assessment”, “the provider says the referral is routine”, “the school says the reduced timetable should continue”.
What would need to be established for the decision-maker to reconsider, explain or act?
2. Separate different types of information
Documented fact
A decision letter, attendance record, referral receipt, meeting minute, report or other record showing that something occurred or was recorded.
Professional evidence
A professional's observation, assessment or opinion. Record their role, involvement and whether the point is within their professional competence.
Family account
What a parent, carer or young person reports. Important evidence, but do not automatically describe it as independently verified fact.
Advocacy analysis
Your interpretation of the documents: for example, that a question appears unanswered or two records appear inconsistent. Keep analysis separate from the source material.
3. Evidence index
Give important documents a simple reference so correspondence can point to the evidence without attaching the whole file again.
| Ref | Document / evidence | Date | Source | What does it support? | Key page / extract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4. Evidence gap map
| Issue that matters | What we already have | What is missing? | Best source | Action / owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5. Evidence quality check
6. Plan a focused evidence request
Who are you asking?
What specific question could their evidence help answer?
What do they directly know or observe?
Do not collect a child's entire medical, school or social-care history simply because it exists. Ask for what is reasonably relevant to the issue.
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