Guidance

User-led organisation training fund: a guide for claimants

Updated 1 June 2026

Applies to England

Introduction

This guidance is for user-led organisations (ULOs) who wish to apply for funding towards training for individual employers (IEs) (with respect to adult social care) and their personal assistants (PAs).

The guidance outlines the criteria and process for accessing ULO funding (‘the funding’) in the financial year 2026 to 2027. The funding will be delivered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) on the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) behalf. It replaces the ULO and IE funding schemes previously delivered by Skills for Care.

Further information about the application process for the financial year 2026 to 2027, including the application form that must be completed, will follow.

In addition to this guidance, ULOs should refer to the grant determination letter for the years 2026 to 2027.

Eligibility criteria

Who will be able to apply for funding

ULO funding can only be claimed by an eligible ULO, towards the cost of eligible training and development provided to IEs and PAs. To qualify as an eligible ULO for the scheme, an organisation must meet all of the following criteria:

• be run for, and by, deaf or autistic people, or people who have a disability or long-term health condition
• have a minimum membership of 75% of disabled people on its board and employ disabled staff and volunteers, including disabled people, people who use mental health services, people with learning disabilities, older people and their family or carers
• be engaged in the provision of training for IEs and PAs

Eligible ULOs must:

• be able to demonstrate how they are organisations which are run for, and by, people with a disability, long-term health condition or social care need. Such organisations are also sometimes referred to as a disabled people’s organisation (DPO)
• have direct contact with adults who employ or contract with PAs, and access to their contact details
• have communicated with and identified the learning and development needs of IEs and PAs, and be able to deliver a training programme that meets those needs

Eligible activities for funding

ULO funding will only be available for the provision of training activities for IEs and PAs.

As each care user’s needs are unique, there are no restrictions on the type of training eligible for this funding. However, applications must provide a justification for the training planned to ensure use of this fund is appropriate. Examples of previously approved training includes mental health awareness, dementia training and basic first aid.

As a guide, we expect training costs to be between £25 and £150 per person, per day. Where training costs are outside of this range, additional information may be requested for justification.

How to claim

For financial year 2026 to 2027, the application window for funding will open on 1 June 2026. Successful applicants should prepare to deliver funded training over summer 2026. Claims will not be honoured where the grant conditions have not been satisfied.

Successful and unsuccessful applicants can expect to be notified of the outcome of their application no later than 5 weeks following the closure of the application window.

Timeframe

The application timeframe is as follows:

• application window opens - 1 June 2026
• application window closes - 26 July 2026
• applicants notified of outcome - 31 August 2026 to 9 September 2026

Delivery deadlines

The deadlines to deliver reports and training are as follows:

• interim report - 29 November 2026
• training - 28 February 2027
• training verification and final report - 21 March 2027

Note: ULOs are required to report completion of training to the funding authority, NHSBSA, within 2 weeks of final delivery.

Evidence requirements

Evidence of eligibility

A ULO must be run for, and by, deaf or autistic people, or people who have a disability or long-term health condition to be considered a ULO. ULOs must have a minimum membership of 75% of disabled people on their boards and employ disabled staff and volunteers, including disabled people, people who use mental health services, people with learning disabilities, older people and their families and carers. This organisation can sometimes be referred to as a DPO, which is also eligible for this fund.

Evidence of eligibility includes:

• a declaration signed by a named official within the ULO to confirm the organisation satisfies the eligibility criteria
• additional evidence of eligibility, if requested

Evidence of cost   

For each claim, ULOs are required to provide:

• course start and end date (where possible)
• proof of expected costs, or actual costs if the relevant training has already been paid for, including:
  • in all cases (where training is provided by a third party or otherwise), ULOs must provide a clear breakdown of costs, including venue, materials, travel and staff costs
  • where training is provided by a third party, an invoice, a flyer or a screenshot of a website advertising the cost per learner where possible
• expected number of learners
• name of awarding organisation (where applicable - for example, for qualifications)
• name of training provider or learning centre, if training is to be provided by a third party

Where possible, ULOs should also retain any evidence of an IE or PA starting a course as this may be requested as part of post-claim assurance processes carried out by NHSBSA.

ULOs will be required to sign a declaration of adherence to the rules and conditions set out in the appropriate ULO funding grant determination before claims will be processed.

Costs paid out in error or fraudulent claims will be recovered. Further action including criminal proceedings may be taken if a fraudulent claim has been made.

Application process and success criteria

The application form is available on the user-led organisation funding page of the NHSBSA website.

You will be required to demonstrate the following criteria:

• value for money: applicants must demonstrate clear value for money. A cost breakdown should be provided that includes, but is not limited to, third party costs, headcount costs, travel or subsistence costs and/or administrative costs
• meeting the needs of individual employers (IEs) and personal assistants (PAs): the extent to which the proposal proportionally supports IEs and PAs. Applications should make clear reference to how the target audience of the planned training fulfils this criterion
• accessibility, reach and take-up of training: how the application, if funded, can contribute to training being available to and accessed by as many people as possible. This includes consideration of effective coordination and communication of the training offer (for example, using virtual training)
• partnership working: the extent to which the applying organisation proposed effective partnership working with other funded organisations.
• success of previous delivery: evidence of the successful delivery of previous programmes, where applicable
• where appropriate, the use of national frameworks and resources: where training topics require specific experience and knowledge, applications must demonstrate the use of the appropriate national frameworks and resources

We would also encourage proposals under the criterion lived experience and leadership: the extent to which the proposal is led and delivered by people with lived experience.

Enquiries and further updates

This guidance is subject to change. Notifications will be sent to contact email addresses provided by ULOs. It is the responsibility of the ULOs to ensure compliance with the updated scheme guidance and conditions.

If you have any queries about this funding, email ulo-funding@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.

Glossary of terms

IEs

IEs are people who employ their own care and support staff. This could be paid for by their own money, direct payments or NHS personal health budgets. This can also include individuals who do not currently employ their own care and support staff, but have been pre-approved for a social care direct payment or NHS personal health budget.

PAs

PAs are people who are employed directly by individuals (or families) who require care and support, rather than care providing organisations. They may also be self-employed and contracted to work for IEs. This can also include individuals who have not yet started work as a PA, but have engaged with structured pre-employment programmes for PAs.