A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a radio related message including derived information for a particular cell in a heterogeneous network; and changing one or more self-optimizing network parameters of a small cell in the heterogeneous network to attract user equipment, where the change can be based on the derived information. In more specific embodiments, the derived information is provided in a relocation command message. In addition, the derived information can include cell load information for a macro cell. Certain methodologies may include receiving small cell derived information for a plurality of small cells in the heterogeneous network; and increasing a plurality of self-optimizing network parameters of the plurality of small cells in the heterogeneous network to attract a plurality of instances of user equipment, the increase can be based, at least, on information within Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP) messages.