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User-led Organisation (ULO) Steering Group
Terms of Reference
Aims and purpose of the steering group
The group’s overall aim is to support, assist and guide Disability Nottinghamshire to
develop, embed and build upon their user-led work in Nottinghamshire.
The purpose of the group is to monitor, evaluate and discuss the performance of Disability
Nottinghamshire against the outcomes in the project plan. The group will also be
champions of user-led work and disseminate this where appropriate.
What is a ULO?
Disability Nottinghamshire is an impartial and confidential information, advice and advocacy
service run purely by, and on behalf of, disabled people in Nottinghamshire. They can
provide opportunities for individuals to access volunteering, work experience, peer support,
training, engagement and consultation.
ULO’s can help local authorities to meet broader policy requirements, such as the Disability
Equality Duty 2010. They add value, help deliver effective services and commissioning,
tackle social exclusion, and are based on the authentic voices of service users.
A typical ULO will have the following attributes and/or services:
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Value base (e.g. promoting the social model of disability and independent living)
Governance and management (e.g. Management Committee or Board of Trustees
being made up of a minimum of 75% service users)
Services provided by disabled people/carers (e.g. advocacy, peer support, advice)
Key partners of Adult Social Care Health & Public Protection are service users and their
carers for which Disability Nottinghamshire would be the tool/vehicle to effectively engage,
consult and involve.
The ULO will be required to support the Think Local, Act Personal (TLAP) agenda
Nottinghamshire County Council’s TLAP team is working to complete and embed the
national Think Local, Act Personal priorities in its work streams.
The national TLAP priorities are;
1. Personalisation and personal budgets
2. Developing cost effective and efficient solutions
3. Developing the provider market and workforce
4. Building community capacity
5. Improving information to the public
6. Importance of co-production
Terms of reference
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The group will meet 4 times a year and will last approximately two hours.
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Membership of the group will consist of a Commissioning Manager, TLAP Project
Manager, Commissioning Officer, ULO Development Officer for Disability
Date approved: 7/5/2013
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Nottinghamshire, Chair of Disability Nottinghamshire, Co Production rep, user rep,
Community Access Worker and a Market Development Officer.
Members will agree, monitor and evaluate the project plan and ensure contractual
obligations are met. Any contractual issues to be discussed in a closed section of the
meeting.
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They will guide, support and advise Disability Nottinghamshire on a wide range of
topics from national initiatives (TLAP) to local projects (commissioned services).
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Members will use their networks and contacts to help promote and embed a user-led
approach in organisations across Nottinghamshire.
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They will also raise awareness of the support, skills and knowledge that Disability
Nottinghamshire has regarding user-led work, co-production, brokerage, information
and advice.
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Meetings will be chaired by the Commissioning Manager in a convenient location.
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Where possible the agenda, previous minutes and any associated papers will be
sent to members of the group, two weeks prior to the next meeting date.
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The steering group is accountable to the TLAP Project Board. The Board is
responsible for overseeing the delivery of the TLAP work streams and provides
direction, clarity and decision making on a range of areas to enable delivery of the
TLAP priorities. The TLAP Project Board is accountable to the Senior Leadership
Team.
Expectations
Ground rules
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Respect the views of others
Only one person to speak at any given time
Indicate if you would like to speak
Allow time for relevant questions
Treat everyone how you would like to be treated yourself
Confidentiality
Use your own judgement on what you would like to share
Keep to the point and be concise
Tolerance / forgiveness / patience
Not to be overtly confrontational towards others in attendance
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For everyone to understand the current and future needs of service users, carers,
service providers, support organisations and Nottinghamshire County Council
within the present economic, political and social environment
To engage with Nottinghamshire County Council in effective and open dialogue
regarding self directed support, personal budgets, brokerage and peer support
For representatives from Nottinghamshire County Council to attend and update
the group on any questions or concerns raised in relation to self directed support,
personal budgets, brokerage and peer support
To consult members on any changes to self directed support, personal budgets,
brokerage and peer support
Collectively work out how we can move forward to effectively influence decisions
and implement change
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Date approved: 7/5/2013
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Date approved: 7/5/2013