Compass Disability Services
Charity 1099376
Overview
Summary
Compass Disability Services appears to be a disabled people’s organisation whose role combines direct support with representation and consultation. Its stated user-led identity suggests that lived experience is intended to shape both its services and its wider voice. Rather than operating solely as a provider, it may function as an intermediary: helping disabled people and carers navigate immediate needs while bringing their perspectives into consultation and research. The available evidence indicates a broad remit, but gives little detail about its actual reach, partnerships or outcomes.
Operational geography
Coverage: National
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- Direct evidence on the organisation's current website identifies Birmingham City Council as a partner, but does not specify a current Birmingham contract, service location, client volume, delivery method or the Birmingham wards served.
- Compass Independent Living states that it delivers Direct Payment and Personal Health Budget support services 'across the Country'. This reasonably supports a national service reach, but does not by itself demonstrate active delivery to Birmingham residents at the time of review.
- The Charity Commission record gives the charity's formal area of benefit as the County of Somerset, whereas the organisation's current service webpage describes nationwide delivery. This may reflect a distinction between its constitutional area of benefit and the geographic reach of its commissioned or remotely delivered support.
- There is no direct evidence of a Compass Disability Services physical site, regular venue, or neighbourhood-based programme within Birmingham. It would therefore be inappropriate to assign any Birmingham ward or City Centre as an operational area.
Additional evidence needed
- A current Birmingham City Council commissioning, provider-list or contract record confirming whether Compass Disability Services or Compass Independent Living is an active Direct Payment support provider.
- Current service information from Compass Disability Services identifying Birmingham eligibility, referral routes, delivery arrangements and whether support is delivered remotely, in residents' homes or from local venues.
- Any current Birmingham-specific service location, outreach venue or contract mobilisation information, if one exists.
Areas of work
- Disability
- Other Charitable Purposes
Who they help
- Other Defined Groups
- People With Disabilities
How they help
- Other Charitable Activities
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Human Resources
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Lived experience appears central to its operating model
Compass appears to position disabled people and carers not only as recipients of support, but as the people who guide the organisation’s purpose and approach. Its user-led identity may distinguish it from services designed primarily by non-disabled professionals.
Why it matters
This helps explain why consultation and representation sit alongside service provision: the organisation may be intended to convert lived experience into influence as well as practical support.
Show evidence
“We are a User-Led, Disabled Persons Organisation (ULO/DP), run by and for disabled people and carers.”
Source:Organisation“We put the needs of disabled people and carers first, all the time, every time.”
Source:Organisation
Its role spans support and civic influence
Compass may operate across two connected levels: supporting individuals and carers directly, while also representing needs through consultation, research and representation.
Why it matters
This suggests its value may extend beyond the people it serves directly. It could potentially identify recurring barriers and bring them into local decision-making, although no examples of this influence are provided.
Show evidence
“We work through consultation, representation and service provision to fulfil our mission.”
Source:Organisation“The provision of specialist support, consultation and research services to relieve the needs of such persons.”
Source:Charity Commission
Carers are included as a core constituency
Compass appears to treat carers as integral to its mission rather than as a secondary audience. This may reflect an understanding that disabled people’s independence is often shaped by the circumstances, capacity and support available to carers.
Why it matters
This potentially creates a bridge between disability support and unpaid-carer support, but it would be worth exploring whether services and representation address the interests of both groups equally.
Show evidence
“To enable and empower disabled people and carers to have independence, choice and control in their lives.”
Source:Organisation“Run by and for disabled people and carers.”
Source:Organisation
- Which specialist services Compass delivers, and whether they are delivered directly, through referrals or through partners.
- Whether consultation and representation influence local policy, service design or funding decisions.
- The geographic reach, scale, beneficiary profile and outcomes of its work.
Remaining uncertainties
- Service descriptions, eligibility criteria, usage data and outcome measures.
- Examples of consultation, research or representation activity and the organisations involved.
- Governance information showing how disabled people and carers shape decisions.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
We are a user-Led organisation. Our mission is "To enable and empower disabled people and carers to have independence, choice and control in their lives". We work through consultation, representation and service provision to fulfil our mission.
Charity objects
'THE RELIEF OF PERSONS, IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY, WITH DISABILITIES IN SUCH CHARITABLE WAYS AS THE TRUSTEES DETERMINE FROM TIME TO TIME. THIS RELIEF TO BE ACHIEVED THROUGH: THE PROVISION OF SPECIALIST SUPPORT, CONSULTATION AND RESEARCH SERVICES TO RELIEVE THE NEEDS OF SUCH PERSONS.