What, when and how?: The context for User-Led Organisations Rich Watts Department of Health January 2010

2 Background n Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People. n Recommendation 4.3: By 2010, each locality (defined as that area covered by a Council with social services responsibilities) should have a User- led Organisation modelled on existing CILs (Centres for Independent Living).

3 Wider policy context n A Stronger Local Voice Framework – Local Involvement Networks (LINks, 2006) n Independent Living Strategy (2008) n Carers Strategy (2008) n Social Care Green Paper (2009) n Right to Control (2009) n The key one: Putting People First – Transforming Adult Social Care (2007)

4 ULOs and Personalisation n Putting People First: the key agenda n A lot required of Local Authorities n A lot of opportunities for ULOs n Information, advice and guidance; support, advocacy and brokerage n People on Direct Payments / Personal Budgets n Universal Services n Local Authorities commissioning personalisation work from ULOs n Performance and delivery benefits from working with ULOs n (ULOs engaged beyond social care)

5 DH work on ULOs so far n Developed ULO Policy which sets out the values, organisational characteristics and services that underpin ULOs n These are the ULO Design Criteria n Commissioned ULO baseline research n Established ULO Development Fund – 2 waves of activity n Worked with different ULOs at different stages of development to develop solutions and resources to be used by others

6 Working Together with ULOs n Publication launched in March 2009, endorsed by ADASS, LGA, SCIE, IDEA, NCIL and Shaping Our Lives n Summary of what a ULO is n Information on co-production between Local Authorities and ULOs and what this can be like in practice (plus some example) n Outlines benefits for local authorities working with ULOs and encourages positive engagement

7 DH ULO project – current work n Continue working with User-led Action and Learning Sites n Disseminate resources produced by Action and Learning Sites to build capacity of other organisations (e.g. through new NCIL website) n Work with partners to coordinate capacity building initiatives available to ULOs (e.g. Disability LIB, NCIL, RADAR, Office for Disability Issues, Office for Third Sector) n ULO national conference, 12 March 2010 n Work with partners to take forward and embed ULO agenda n E.g. SCIE Commissioner tool n Embed in Putting People First programme (e.g. joint milestones document)

8 Regional Capacity Building n DH started working through the regions to support ULO capacity building work in 2009/10 n Funding made available to Deputy Regional Directors for capacity building work in 2009: n To support the delivery of Recommendation 4.3 n To support recognition of the important role ULOs play generally in the implementation of the Independent Living Strategy n Recognise expected role of ULOs in implementation of the Right to Control n The key outcome is to develop the capability and capacity of ULOs within the regions

9 Summary n At a national level, clear policy approach and organisations working together to embed ULO agenda n Delivery of capacity building of ULOs working through the Regions n Local Authority personalisation leads driving transformation of adult social care n ULOs have opportunity to contribute to several key areas and support LAs to successfully implement transformation n Build on long history of Disabled Peoples Organisations to ensure transformation has the positive impact we are all aiming for