Training and events
ARC Days, Bespoke Training and Online Sessions
ARC training is informed by the contact and feedback ARC has had from parents over the last three decades, and research in the field. The training affords practitioners the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences around issues such as communicating results delivering difficult news and supporting parents’ decision making.
It takes time, experience and training to gain the confidence and competence needed to provide individualised care to parents through antenatal testing and its consequences. ARC training days are designed to help healthcare professionals to respond both practically and emotionally to parents’ needs, as well as to consider their own support needs.
We have a set, three-day course for health professionals that we run regularly throughout the year in Central London. Each day covers a different topic and can be attended individually or as part of the full course. You can book onto one or more of these here.
All attendees of our training will be provided with attendance certificates.
We can come to you
In addition to our London-based training days, ARC can deliver each of our days in-house at your hospital, or provide your team with tailored training sessions designed specifically to meet your requirements, with full-day or half-day workshops delivered on site. If you would like to find out more about how ARC can offer a training programme to meet your team’s needs, email us on info@arc-uk.org or call 0207 713 7356.
Alternatively if you’re based in England and interested in bespoke training, get in touch with jenny@arc-uk.org
For Scotland, karen@arc-uk.org
For Wales, miranda@arc-uk.org
For Northern Ireland, suzie@arc-uk.org
Training costs
All ARC London-based training days are £115 per person.
Alternatively, book more than one day and save! Two days for £205 and all three days for just £290.
Book your places on our training days here!
Students are able to book ARC training days at a discounted rate of £80 per day. We also offer a Day 1 and Day 2 package for students. You will be asked to provide proof that you are a student.
If you would like to discuss the cost of ARC coming to you at your trust or university, do get in touch on info@arc-uk.org.
Please note: Our Day 1 and 2 training days are not recommended for those who have not yet begun their studies. The training is aimed at healthcare professionals already working in antenatal care, or students who have been studying for at least two years.
Training aims
The course focuses on self-awareness within the context of antenatal screening and the diagnosis of fetal anomaly and includes a combination of theoretical learning, group-work and discussion. The training affords practitioners an opportunity to develop the skills needed to give sensitive care to their patients. Emphasis is placed on the parent’s perspective of antenatal screening and the experience of the healthcare professional.
Learning outcomes
Attendees of Day 1 training will:
- Understand the parents’ experience of screening and diagnosis
- Develop effective listening during times of stress and crisis
- Find new ways of explaining statistical probability to parents
- Explore ways of delivering difficult news
- Support and inform the decision-making process
- Become aware of attitudes, values and preconceptions
- Become aware of aspects of grief and bereavement after fetal loss
- Develop principles of good practice
The training day can be offered as an ‘all healthcare professionals’ day’ aimed at obstetricians, midwives, sonographers, and all other healthcare professionals working in the field; including administrative staff.
Available Dates
- Saturday 13th September 2025 (London)
- Saturday 29th November 2025 (London)
Training aims
Day 2 training from ARC continues where our popular Day 1 training ‘Communication skills and delivering difficult news’ breaks off – at the point where parents have been given a diagnosis of fetal anomaly and must now consider their options. Supporting Parents’ Decisions looks at how healthcare professionals can best inform and support parents whilst they are in the process of making a decision, and once the decision has been made.
Learning outcomes
Attendees of Day 2 training will:
- Examine ways of supporting parents through a diagnosis of fetal anomaly and the decision-making process
- Understand how to provide parents with non-directive support
- Understand the specific issues and support needs of parents who are continuing with an affected pregnancy
- Understand the specific issues and support needs of parents who are ending an affected pregnancy
- Help deal with healthcare professionals’ own ethical dilemmas
- Develop principles of good practice
“The day made me examine my own beliefs and values. It gave me the confidence and understanding to deal with parents who are making difficult decisions.”
Course participant
Available Dates
- Saturday 10th May 2025 (London)
- Saturday 11th October 2025 (London)
Please note: Day 3 is an advanced level session which is aimed at practitioners who have experience of working in the field of antenatal screening, fetal medicine, or genetic counselling. The course draws on participants’ experience of discussing abnormal results and complex cases. Because of this, we do not usually recommend this course for students.
Training aims
This study day aims to help participants consider the key factors that will ensure high quality care is in place for women and couples who have had a fetal anomaly diagnosed. The day is interactive and based around a series of ‘real-life’ case studies along with feedback from parents who contact ARC to encourage participants to reflect on their practice and share what they feel might be most helpful to women and couples. Day 3 also explores the latest developments in prenatal testing and the impact these are likely to have on care.
Learning outcomes
Attendees of Day 3 training will:
- Consider some of the complex issues parents face after a prenatal diagnosis
- Explore the components of the high quality care required for the parents in five ‘real life’ case studies
- Examine the barriers to providing individualised care
- Agree on core principles underpinning individualised care
- Gain insight into some of the latest developments in antenatal testing technologies and their implications for practice
Available dates
- Saturday 7th June 2025 (London)
- Saturday 15th November 2025 (London)
Upcoming Training dates
-
Training Day 2 – Supporting parents’ decisions
May 10, 2025 -
Training Day 3 - When a prenatal diagnosis is made: Providing best care
June 7, 2025 -
Training Day 1 - Communication skills and delivering difficult news
September 13, 2025 -
Training Day 2 – Supporting parents’ decisions
October 11, 2025 -
Training Day 3 - When a prenatal diagnosis is made: Providing best care
November 15, 2025 -
Training Day 1 - Communication skills and delivering difficult news
November 29, 2025
ARC Online Training
We offer bite-sized training sessions online for healthcare professionals via Zoom.
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