We’re members of ARC’s new LD Research Unit

ARC England (Association for Real Change), have announced the launch of the ARC England Learning Disability Research Unit, a major new strategic research programme to provide more and better data for the sector.

ARC England are a membership organisation dedicated to supporting learning disability and autism service providers. They support 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.

This 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.

As members of ARC England, we’re delighted to share the news of their new initiative and proud to announce that we are one of 15 organisations, currently making up the Steering Group that will inform and guide the research undertaken.

The Research Steering Group will guide the development and content of the research programme. Chaired by ARC England, the group 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.

Find out more about the ARC England Learning Disability Research Unit here.