What ARC; Association for Real Change does

ARC (Association for Real Change) is a UK-registered charity founded in 1976 that operates as a national membership and advocacy body for learning disability and autism service providers, and through its programmes, for individuals with learning disabilities, autism, or other additional support needs and their families. The organization is structured as a Company Limited by Guarantee with three wholly-owned regional arms—ARC England (headquartered in Chesterfield, Derbyshire), ARC Scotland, and ARC Northern Ireland (Belfast)—each tailored to the differing social care landscapes of their nation. It is governed by a Board of Trustees (chaired by David Sargent) and managed by a Strategic Leadership Team comprising Country Directors and a Finance Director; registered charity numbers are 285575 (England) and SC039129 (Scotland), and company number 01658354.

ARC delivers its mission through five core service lines: Research, Networking, Collective Advocacy, Policy, and Training. Notable service offerings include the Charter for Involvement training programme (delivered in Scotland by Associate Trainers with lived experience), impact and policy research, networking events and AGMs across the UK, and collective advocacy that amplifies the voices of people with learning disabilities and autistic individuals. ARC also publishes strategic documents (e.g., the ARC Strategy 2023) and annual Impact Reports (most recently 2024-25), with Easy Read versions for accessibility.

ARC's business model is non-commercial and funded through membership subscriptions from service providers in the sector, training programme fees, and project/service income across its three operating jurisdictions. Go-to-market is community-led: direct engagement with member organisations, in-person AGMs and board meetings, country-specific websites (arcengland.org.uk, arcscotland.org.uk, arcni.org.uk) and email outreach. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled through direct consultation. The organization holds Cyber Essentials Plus certification and has no proprietary technology product, no AI/ML capability, and no app or API surface; its value proposition rests on relational capital, sector expertise, and convening power rather than technology.

Name

ARC; Association for Real Change

Legal name

The Association for Real Change Ltd

Website

https://arcuk.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ARC (Association for Real Change) is a UK charity founded in 1976 that supports learning disability and autism service providers and individuals through three regional arms (ARC England, ARC Scotland, ARC Northern Ireland), delivering research, networking, collective advocacy, policy, and training services funded by membership and training fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Care and Disability Advocacy Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Learning disability services
• Autism support services
• Social care advocacy
• Collective advocacy
• Disability policy training

Headquarters

HQ city

Chesterfield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership and Training Services: ARC generates revenue through membership fees from service providers in the learning disability and autism sector, as well as training services delivered to organisations. The charity also receives funding through projects and services across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ARC is a UK registered charity that supports learning disability and autism service providers through research, networking, collective advocacy, policy representation, and training. It brings together service providers, individuals with learning disabilities and autism, families, and policymakers to influence legislation, share best practice, and improve quality of support across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Product overview

ARC (Association for Real Change) is a national charity founded in 1976 that operates as a platform of coordinated services and regional organizations supporting providers of learning disability and autism services. The organization consists of three regional branches—ARC England, ARC Scotland, and ARC Northern Ireland—each working within their nation's distinct social care landscape. ARC's core service portfolio includes Research, Networking, Collective Advocacy, Policy, and Training services, with the Scotland branch notably offering Charter for Involvement training through Associate Trainers with lived experience. The organization also publishes strategic documents and annual Impact Reports to document outcomes and strategic direction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ARC Membership Formal membership for UK learning disability and autism service provider organisations, giving them access to ARC's research, networking, policy representation, and training. The membership base of 70+ organisations forms the core community ARC serves.
• Research Services Research activity focused on learning disability and autism services, supporting the sector with evidence and best practice. Targeted at service providers, policymakers, and commissioners.
• Networking Services Networking opportunities bringing together learning disability and autism service providers, individuals with lived experience, families, and policymakers across the UK.
• Collective Advocacy Services Collective advocacy services that amplify the voices of people with learning disabilities and autism, their families, and providers in policy and public discourse.
• Policy Representation Services Policy representation and influencing activity, including engagement with UK Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, and the Northern Ireland Assembly, as well as consultation responses on legislation and regulation affecting the sector.
• Training Services (including Charter for Involvement) Training programmes for learning disability and autism service providers, including the Charter for Involvement training, focused on quality, involvement, and best practice in support delivery.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ARC; Association for Real Change