Why the Individual Employer Fund matters
06 Aug 2025
3 min read
- Funding
- Individual employers
We hear from Isaac Samuels, co-chair (alongside Jacqui Darlington) of the Skills for Care Individual Employer and Personal Assistant Steering Group, about how the Individual Employer Fund has benefited them.
Both Jacqui and I have benefited hugely from the Individual Employer Fund, which has helped us be the best employers we can be. We both live with complex health and social care needs, and we come from racialised backgrounds. This means our training needs – and those of our teams, including our personal assistants (PAs) – are really diverse and specific.
Accessing training and development through this fund has been a game changer for me. First, it’s allowed me to employ the right people, the ones who share my values and understand what I need. Second, it’s boosted my confidence and that of my personal assistants. It’s not just about skills but about feeling valued and capable in our roles.
Jacqui puts it perfectly:
Being able to access the fund has meant I can shape the training to fit my real-life needs, not some generic course. It’s helped me understand direct payments better, and that knowledge has empowered me to take control of my care in ways I never thought possible.
What’s striking is that before this, there wasn’t much out there that really co-produced and co-designed training with us individual employers at the heart of it. We needed training that met all our needs – physical, cultural, emotional – and also considered those of our personal assistants. So, we sought out trainers who would listen, learn, and get it right alongside us.
The results? More confidence, fewer absences, stronger communication, and a real sense of pride all around.
Yasmin, who attended the PA training on anti-racism, said:
The training opened my eyes and gave me the tools to be a better ally and support worker. It wasn’t just about understanding racism but about creating an inclusive, respectful environment for everyone. I felt seen and heard as a PA, and that’s not always the case.
Alvydas, who’s supported multiple individual employers through funded training, added:
The training I took part in gave me real clarity around direct payments and how to support employers more confidently. Without the funding, I simply wouldn’t have been able to afford that kind of development. It’s made a huge difference to how I work and how I support others.
This kind of tailored, meaningful training just isn’t available in a one-size-fits-all package. That’s why the Individual Employer Fund is so vital – it puts control and choice back where it belongs: with disabled people and their teams.
We’re also working hard this year to better show the impact of this fund. If you’ve accessed any training, in the past, think about the difference it’s made. What would have happened if you hadn’t had the funding? Did it boost your confidence, improve communication, reduce stress, help with recruitment or retention? These stories really matter.
And if you’re currently doing training – like the course on maximising direct payments that Alvydas and Yasmin are attending – maybe take a quick photo or two. Real images help bring all this to life and show how this fund is making a difference!
Top tips for getting the most from the fund
- Be clear about your specific training needs and share them openly with your trainers.
- Look for trainers who are willing to co-produce and adapt their sessions with you.
- Involve your personal assistants in choosing and shaping the training.
- Use the training as a way to build confidence and pride, not just tick a box.
- Keep the conversation going – training is an ongoing journey, not a one-off.
Why we must keep this fund alive
The Individual Employer Fund isn’t just a pot of money. It’s a lifeline for disabled people and other individual employers who want to employ personal assistants with dignity, respect and understanding. It enables us to grow, learn, and build teams that reflect our values and meet our complex needs. Cutting this fund would be a massive step backwards for disability rights and personalised care.
What you can do
If you've used the fund, share your story! What training did you access and what impact did it have? Got any photos or examples? Send them in so we can show the real value of this fund and keep it alive for others. Every voice matters – let’s make sure decision-makers hear us loud and clear.
Contact marketing@skillsforcare.org.uk with your experiences.
Find out more about the Individual Employer Fund.
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