ARC exists to improve the quality of life for people who have a learning disability and we enable providers of learning disability services to work together, learning from each other by sharing examples of best practice.
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We do this by facilitating a number of workstream meetings, to discuss common challenges faced by the sector within themed areas. Current themes include the changing landscape of the social care workforce as a result of ‘Transforming Your Care’, the review of traditional Day Care into broader more diverse opportunities, and what is understood by ‘Support for Living’ in Northern Ireland.
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ARC facilitates a number of bespoke events and conferences. This is considered an opportunity to bring the sector together to learn of key policy changes, discuss any resulting impact on practice and explore collaborative action in advocating necessary change. Examples have included a workshop led by a legal expert discussing National Minimum Wage and the impact on sleepovers and a Cancer Screening awareness workshop, equipping frontline staff to respond to an individual with a learning disability.
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ARC as an umbrella body is very clear it is not a service provider, however there are times when ARC will test out new ways of working as part of time limited projects, normally in collaboration with other partners. Where there is a common issue identified by our members we proactively seek models to address through a pilot project and actively seek their involvement in and contribution to the successful implementation.