ASSISTANCE DOGS UK Registered Charity no: 1119538 - DECEMEBER 2020

DECEMEBER 2020
     ASSISTANCE DOGS UK
Registered Charity no: 1119538

Contents
Executive Summary         1
Strategic Analysis        1
Operations Plan           2
Strategic Areas of work   2
• Lobbying                2
• Research                3
• Resources               3
• Technology              4
• Excellence              4

Executive Summary
Established in 1994, Assistance Dogs UK is a voluntary coalition of assistance dog charities
that aims to promote the freedom, independence, and rights of people with assistance dogs
across the UK.
All 8 ADUK member charities have successfully passed an extensive accreditation process
that covers all aspects of their training and administration ensuring they meet the exacting
standards set by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and/or the International Guide Dogs
Federation (IGDF).
In 2018 Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) was left a financial legacy that allowed the Board to
explore how it could develop and grow ADUK to better meet its charitable objects. Those
initial explorations have led to ADUK being in a position where it can plan for the next 4
years and establish itself as an effective umbrella body that strengthens its Members work.

In 2020 ADUK Board recruited a new Development Manager, ADUKs first member of staff,
who will be working on behalf of the Board to develop ADUK and move it towards achieving
its strategic goals.

ADUKs current capacity is proportionate to its demand and function and the Trustees are
keen to maintain this sustainable approach. With this in mind, the charity has chosen to
invest some of its funds in its Members so that they can enhance how ADUKs charitable
objects are met.
Overarching Goals

ADUK has two overarching goals that will shape work into 2024 and this strategic plan will
lay out how ADUK and its Members will work across a range of areas to achieve them.

Goal 1
ADUK is established as a collaborative hub of best practice, knowledge, and resource for
the benefit of its Members.

Goal 2
ADUK is established as an influential coalition of excellence that can affect real change for
the benefit of current and future assistance dogs’ users and assistance dogs.

Strategic Analysis
This strategic plan is a result of ADUK Trustees working with consultants Space 2 Be during
2020 which allowed the board to create a shared vision for ADUK:

  To pursue excellence & promote standards for Assistance Dog partnerships in the UK

Based on a deep understanding of the external environment in which assistance dog
charities operate, the Board worked together using a range of planning tools to
contextualise the internal and external influences and drivers

                                             1

Operations Plan
This strategic plan is accompanied by a 12-month operations plan which details the
activities, outputs, and measures for each of the 5 areas of strategic work. The Operations
plan is also where ADUKs administration and governance work is detailed.
By planning activity in 12-month phases, ADUK hopes to remain agile in an ever-changing
environment. ADUK plans to continually assess and measure progress to remain relevant
and responsive to its Member’s needs.
In year one it is vital ADUK focuses on putting the right infrastructure in place to build firm
foundations for the longer-term vision of its Members.

Strategic Areas of Work
ADUK has identified 5 strategic areas in which to focus its activities to achieve the
overarching goals.

   •   Lobbying
   •   Research
   •   Resource
   •   Technology
   •   Excellence
Each area is supported by a series of short, medium, and long terms outcomes and key
actions.

Lobbying
Short Term Outcome: ADUK has the appropriate infrastructure in place for it to operate
as an effective umbrella body bringing Members together
Key activity
    • Develop ADUK policies, procedures, plans and budgets and working groups
    • Develop and disseminate materials that support ADUKs position
    • Develop a route for AD users to have a voice that advocates for change
    • Pilot a shared campaign with shared comms
Medium Term Outcome: ADUK is positioned as a hub of excellence, developing strong
networks and relationships that enable it to effectively campaign for change
Key activity
    • Map Stakeholders and identify opportunities, build relationships and networks
    • Develop resources that support self-advocacy for AD users
Long-term Outcome: ADUK has a strong evidence-based case and platform and it
effectively campaigns for change
Key activity
    • Campaign for greater clarification for a definition of 'assistance dog'
    • Campaign for standards-based assessments for all ADs
    • Survey businesses, identify training opportunities
                                              2

Research
Short Term Outcome: ADUK Members can access research and evidence and ADUK
develops coproduced evidence
Key activity
   • Establish an Assess working group to monitor issues, identify gaps and develop or
       commission research or create resources
   • Map research (literature review)
Medium Term Outcome: ADUK can identify gaps and priority areas for developing new
research or evidence
Key activity
   • Develop the website to host an evidence exchange
   • Identify research gaps and development of a research action plan
   • Develop process to capture collective impact data
Long term Outcome: ADUK Members can access new opportunities to create robust and
compelling evidence to further their case of need
Key activity
   • Identify and develop opportunities to create an economic case and evidence
   • Develop collective impact data as a communication tool
   • Relationship building with researchers and research bodies

Resource
Short Term Outcome: ADUK Members shape, lead and share in good practice
through developing resources that capture knowledge, information, and
experience
Key activity
   • Develop a platform for shared resources
   • Identify and prioritise and create new resources
Medium Term Outcome: ADUK is established as a hub of information and
good practice resources
Key activity
   • Develop a shared impact and monitoring system/processes
   • Bring the Membership together to share good practice through shared training,
       learning days and networks
Long Term Outcome: AD users have better access because their access rights
are widely known and understood by the public and the commercial sector
Key activity
   • External facing ADUK resources & training created and promoted
   • In partnership with legal professionals, develop resources around the Equality Act
       2010

                                           3

Technology
Short term Outcome: ADUK Members good practice is consolidated and
developed into effective tools using accessible technology
Key Activities
   • Develop an interactive website to host information
   • Develop Membership Portal for Members to access Membership Benefits
Medium Term Outcome: AD Members support AD users to use relevant
technology to enhance their partnerships
Key Activities
   • Effectively use online tools and platform to promote and further the work of ADUK
       and its Members
   • Work with partners to be part of app-based ID approach
   • Explore the use of tech and apps to capture access issues
Long Term outcome: ADUK Members have a process and platform through
which to keep abreast of new (and influence) relevant technology
Key Activities
       • Work with partners to be part of app-based ID approach
       • Explore the use of tech and apps to assist AD users

Excellence
Short Term Outcome: General awareness of ADUK Members is increased
through promoting and celebrating their work
Key Activities
   • Develop comms strategy to promote ADUK and its Members
   • Develop a platform and process for good practice sharing and training
   • Establish working groups and knowledge networks to enable best practice sharing
   • Fund Members to enhance and further the work of ADUK
Medium Term Outcome: ADUK has a compelling case for standard-based
training, evidenced through resources and case studies
Key Activities
   • Use evidence to develop shared communications and education materials
Long Term Outcome: Increased awareness of the benefits and positive
impact that standard-based welfare and training can have
Key Activities
   • Develop a recognised qualification for AD trainers and instructors
   • Collaborate to establish sector wide standards & assessments

                                           4