I am developing Step Little, a digital platform designed to help parents in the United Kingdom understand and complete SEND-related benefit applications independently and with confidence.
There is already a partially developed Progressive Web App (pwa) that includes a structured send timeline, initial multilingual support, postcode detection, an early-stage ai assistance module, and 26 personalised send letter templates. The next step is to build a clear, professional website that works alongside the existing PWA and allows the first public version of the platform to be launched.
The purpose of the website is to help parents identify which benefits they may be eligible for and guide them through application forms using simple language and structured support. In the first phase, the platform should support EHCP Needs Assessment requests, Disability Living Allowance for children under 16, and Personal Independence Payment for young people aged 16 and over. Parents should be able to complete a short eligibility check, understand which benefit to apply for, receive guidance based on their postcode and Local Authority, download the correct forms, understand what each question means, upload supporting documents, follow their progress through a simple timeline, and learn how to submit their applications correctly.
An important part of the system is the AI assistance. This should not behave like a generic chatbot. Instead, it should explain application questions in plain English, suggest examples of answers, adapt guidance depending on whether the parent is applying for ehcp, dla or pip, and help convert parent-written responses into appropriate send-style english suitable for official forms. The intention is to support parents who are unsure how to respond, not to automate decisions.
The platform should also include postcode-based personalisation so that the correct Local Authority is identified automatically and relevant local SEND contacts and services can be shown. Basic guidance may also adapt depending on council differences where possible.
In terms of structure, the website will include a homepage, an eligibility checker, separate support sections for ehcp, dla and pip, a document upload area, a timeline progress section, a postcode-based local services page, and a contact page. The design should feel professional, calm and supportive, and especially easy to use for parents who may be under stress. It should avoid legal language and should not look like a children’s website. Each benefit pathway should also have its own colour identity to help navigation feel clearer.
My preference is to build the project using
Next.js or React with Supabase or Firebase, and postcode integration through the
Postcodes.io API, but I am open to suggestions if there is a better approach.
I am also looking for someone who can support testing before launch, help with deployment, fix small issues after publication, and make adjustments if needed to ensure the system works reliably for real families.
If the first release goes well, I plan to continue developing the platform further by adding more send benefit pathways, expanding the ai assistance, introducing user accounts and secure document storage, and eventually creating a mobile app version. I would ideally like to work with someone interested in continuing collaboration beyond the first phase
Plazo de Entrega: No definido