ARC Scotland facilitates the Special Interest Group. This group has membership from service provider organisations and other agencies and individuals who are interested in ensuring people with learning difficulties have access to high quality services and to a good life in their community. The Local Authority and on occasion the NHS attend the meetings for part of the time to share information and discuss issues of mutual interest.
The Group discusses a broad range of issues relevant to supporting people with learning difficulties to lead the best possible lives, and to the delivery of high quality person centred services. Anyone interested in improving the lives of people with learning difficulties in the area is welcome to attend.
Forum Chairperson
The Forum is chaired by one of the members of the group. The Chairperson is the source of contact for the Local Authority, NHS or anyone else who wishes to engage with the Forum. S/he will chair the Forum meeting, attend other groups and meetings, write letters and take other appropriate action on behalf of the Forum and it’s membership. The Chairperson is elected each year at the Annual Review meeting.
How to join
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Forum/Group, or would like more information, please contact Sylvia Crick:
- Email: sylvia.crick@arcuk.org.uk
- Telephone: 0131 454 9052
Workplan
The Forum sets a workplan each year, outlining the priority areas that members want to work on and the outcomes they would like to achieve. This is reviewed and updated regularly at meetings.
The Forum also invites speakers on issues of relevance and on occasion organises workshop and events to allow for fuller discussion and learning and development around specific issues. The Forum also seeks to work closely with self advocates across the area.
Engaging with the Personalisation and Self Directed Support agendas
The SIG has also been seeking to enhance the capacity of local providers to engage with the Personalisation and Self Directed Support agendas. It ran one event on 25th March to explore the issues and concerns of local providers. This was followed on 9th September by an event that sought to address these.
Glossary and Resources
The SIG also produced a paper explaining some of the most commonly used terms, with links to some useful resources to help providers in their thinking and planning » Definitions of key terms and what this means for providers
