July 13th 2022
ARC England (Association for Real Change), the only membership organisation dedicated to supporting learning disability and autism service providers, is launching the ARC England Learning Disability Research Unit, a major new strategic research programme to provide more and better data for the sector.
The COVID-19 pandemic shone a spotlight on the social care sector and exposed the data failings and poor understanding that have hindered its development for years. The new initiative is designed to enable a step-change in the understanding and appreciation of the large but often neglected learning disability and autism sector within the broader social care sector. The research programme will allow new insight into the size, value, structure and dynamics of the sector, identifying best practice and innovation and providing a knowledge base to inform business planning and shape future policy-making.
The development and content of the research programme will be guided by a new Research Steering Group that will also providing core funding for the initiative. The Group, chaired by ARC England, is formed of a cross-section of care providers and leading stakeholders and will meet for the first time on 11th August 2022, to confirm research priorities for the first 12 months. Amongst the new research projects being discussed will be a quarterly ‘CEO Confidence Index’ that will help track the health of the sector across a range of key indicators. The Steering Group will also act as a forum for discussing sector-wide issues and agreeing joined-up solutions.
ARC England has also set up a new Research Fund for individuals and organisations wishing to support this initiative. All donations will go towards increasing the scope and efficacy of the research programme.
Clive Parry, ARC England Director says:
“A lack of timely and robust data has held back the development of the learning disability and autism sector for years. The launch of this major strategic research initiative is an important milestone that will help deliver the understanding and appreciation the sector deserves.”
Becky Hamilton, Director of Windward Day Services and ARC England Research Steering Group member, says:
“Our position as providers enables us to fulfil a privileged role to people with lived experience of learning disability and of autism. Being involved in this initiative gives us a new opportunity to use our knowledge, skills and relationships to inform research which will ultimately enhance the wellbeing of the people we support.”
About ARC England:
ARC England (Association for Real Change) supports knowledge development, improves practice and influences policy in health and social care for the benefit of people with learning disabilities or other support needs such as autism, mental health problems, sensory and physical disabilities. ARC England is the only membership organisation specifically for learning disability and autism providers.
ARC England Research Steering Group members:
Current ARC England Research Steering Group members include: Community Integrated Care, Windward Day Services, Real Life Options, Macintyre, Wilf Ward, National Autistic Society, Lifeways, Linkage, National Care Forum, Learning Disability England, Digital Social Care, ARC England, VAT Solutions, Ridouts, Marr Procurement and Log My Care.
Press office
For more information and interview enquiries, contact Liz Collins at the ARC England Press Office on 01246 555043 or email [email protected]
Read the full press release and supportive quotes on ARC England website.
Twitter @ARCEngland
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