- This funding is only available to support training for individual employers and PAs.
- Applicants must be a ULO and explain in the application form how they consider their organisation to be user led. You may be asked to provide additional information in relation to this. We will not fund any organisation that is not user led. See the information below for a definition of what a ULO is.
- Applicants must have a database of contact details of individual employers and PAs. We will not fund any organisation that has to go through a third party to contact individual employers and PAs.
What is a ULO?
A general definition (from SCIE) is:
A ULO is an organisation that is run and controlled by people who use support services including disabled people, people who use mental health services, people with learning disabilities, older people, and their families and carers.
A more specific definition from the Office of Disability Issues (as part of a programme to strengthen ULOs) is:
- they are led and controlled by disabled people and have a minimum membership of 75% of disabled people on their board
- actively demonstrate their commitment to disabled people by employing disabled staff and volunteers
- actively demonstrate their commitment to the social model of disability.
Please note that experience of working with and/or providing services for service users will not be sufficient to demonstrate that your organisation is user led.
Working in partnership
ULOs who have received this funding in the past must work with one or more partners (new or existing) in their proposed project. Partnerships must be with an employer or employer representative group and could include, but aren't limited to, other ULOs, co-production groups and local authorities. Learning providers cannot be recognised partners. The ULO making this application will be referred to as the ‘lead partner’.
ULOs who haven’t received this funding in the past are encouraged, but not required, to work with one or more partners.
We'll consider applications to fund, via a grant, the cost of learning that meets the needs of individual employers and PAs, for example:
- moving and assisting
- first aid
- food safety
- the role of an employer and employment law
- managing staff
- boundaries and expectations
- medication awareness
- training to support specific conditions (e.g. autism, dementia etc.)
- knowledge elements of the Care Certificate standards and where appropriate assessment that leads to the award of the Care Certificate.
Applications can include the direct costs of training, travel and the cost of hiring replacement support whilst the employer’s usual PA is attending training during their normal working hours.
If you have any questions about this funding email funding@skillsforcare.org.uk or call 0113 241 1275.
If you have any questions about completing the application please read the frequently asked questions (FAQs) in the first instance.
If you cannot find an answer to your question, email funding@skillsforcare.org.uk or call 0113 241 1275.
ULOs and other support organisations can also tell people who employ their own care and support staff about individual employer funding. This money can pay for learning and development for themselves and their personal assistants, and can be used to support qualifications like diplomas.
More information for people who employ their own care and support staff can be found on the information hub for individual employers and personal assistants.
Here's a list of organisations that were awarded user led organisations funding in 2018-19.