User Led Organisations

User Led Organisations (ULOs) are organisations, run and controlled by disabled people, carers and other people who use support.  They provide a range of services including:

• information and advice
• advocacy and peer support
• support in using direct payments and/or individual budgets
• support to recruit and employ personal assistants
• assistance with self-assessment
• disability equality training, and
  
• potentially other services. 

ULOs are key to delivering personalisation and achieving independent living for disabled people.

In 2005, the Government report ‘Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People’ (ODI, 2005) was published setting out an ambitious vision for improving the life chances of disabled people. One of the recommendations stated that “by 2010, each locality (defined as an area covered by a Council with social services responsibilities) should have a user-led organisation modelled on existing Centres for Independent Living”. This recommendation is being taken forward as part of the cross-government Independent Living Strategy and Putting People First.  We are therefore supporting the implementation of this recommendation on behalf of the Department of Health in the East of England.

Key Contacts

• Debbie Roberts – Programme Manager – 07920 297194 - Debbie.roberts@easterndc.org.uk
• Holly Daniels – Programme Support Officer –  01206 287594 - holly.daniels@easterndc.org.uk