ILG Community is a UK-wide organisation dedicated to supporting individuals who employ Personal Assistants (PAs) or manage a care budget on behalf of someone else. Our community serves as a hub for resources, information, and events, empowering individuals to navigate the complexities of being a PA employer.

Our mission is to represent and advocate for PA employers across the UK, with a focus on driving positive change within the health and social care systems. The majority of our members are funded through Direct Payments from Local Authorities or NHS funding via Personal Health Budgets (England only), though we also welcome self-funders.  We also welcome anyone who uses PAs, for example though an agency or self-employed.

Our platforms include a dedicated website and a private Facebook group, both exclusively for individual employers.

To create a supportive and collaborative space for PA employers across the UK, fostering the exchange of experiences and uniting voices to influence the shaping of health and care services.

Membership to ILG Community is open to any PA employer across the UK, free of charge. Professionals who work in roles supporting Direct Payment and Personal Health Budget recipients are also welcome to join, as their contributions can provide valuable insights and support. Those who possess significant expertise in the field are also welcome to be members.

ILG Community is an independent group managed by an elected committee comprising individuals from across the UK who have lived experience as PA employers. The committee is responsible for decision-making related to the management of the group, allocation of funds, and the activities it undertakes.

The committee is structured to ensure that over 50% of its members are disabled individuals who employ PAs. The remaining members include those who manage budgets on behalf of others or possess significant expertise in the field.  The chairperson will always be a disabled PA employer.

 An updated list of committee members is available here.

ILG Community Committee is entrusted with the following key responsibilities:

Maintaining and overseeing the content of the ILG Community website.

Supporting the development of local peer support groups.

ILG Community was founded by Independent Living Group Ltd (ILG Ltd), which was originally established by the specialist insurer Mark Bates Ltd (MBL) to engage with and support its policyholders.

Today, ILG Community operates as an independent, stand-alone entity. While the Independent Living Group Ltd provides funding, ILG Community maintains full autonomy and operates independently of any other organisation.

A group for PA employers across the UK.

An insurance company that has no direct link to ILG Community.

A company set up originally to provide support to Mark Bates customers, but have since expanded into a wider market. The Independent Living Group has given some funding to ILG Community, but ILG Community remains independent and run solely by the committee.