The A.R.C.H.E.S Practice Framework (APF) has been developed to support service delivery to achieve desired outcomes; viewed through a multi-layered lens of the individual, the team, and the organisation. The APF can be contextualised to suit industry specific assessments, promoting best practice standards and overall organisational improvement.
The APF is comprised of three key components known as The Anatomy of the Arches Practice Framework (The Anatomy).ย The Anatomy consists of Practice, People, and Purpose.
The Anatomyย
Practice
The Practice component of the APF consists of the:
- Guiding Tenets
- Wellbeing System
- Therapeutic Bridgeย
The Guiding Tenets
These are used to engage a 350 review of organisational performance and wellbeing. The Guiding Tenets are-
- Organisational Culture
- Leadership Ethos
- Staff Engagement
- Systems and Processes
Each of these tenets focuses on key areas of assessment to primarily:
- Identify, retain, and foster positive traditions and elements that are aligned with core strategic goals
- Identify root causes of problems within an organisation, with solutions focused road-mapping for practical implementation
Wellbeing System
The Wellbeing System at Arches is unique: Arches has an internal unit dedicated to ensuring workforce capability through evidence based and informedย protocols; wellbeing is an integrated part of ensuring trauma informed service delivery can occur, and retention of workforce issues are addressed. When staff are supported in volatile work environments, they are able to develop skills, increase resilience, recover meaningfully and continue to engage in challenging frontline work. This leads to the delivery of best practice, and trauma informed and relational care with clients.
Therapeutic Bridge
The therapeutic bridge consists of the internal organisational evidence informed practice approaches (such as TCI, PACE, Narrative Therapy et.al)which are used dailyย to respond to clients within the therapeutic setting. As new trauma informed and neuroscience knowledge becomes available, the Therapeutic Bridge will introduce these to ensure frontline practice remains at the forefront of what is current and emerging.
People
The APF utilises the Model of Client Engagement in its approach to engaging with any people aspect of the framework, whether that is with staff, clients, external stakeholders, contractors, or the wider community.
The Model of Client Engagement focuses on 6 areas of review-
Assessment
Relationships
Collaboration
Helpful Impacts
Evaluation
Sustainability
Each area of review targets specific aspects pertaining to the differing needs of the individual, the team/workgroup, and the overall organisation within the dynamic.
Purpose
Central to the APF is an organisationโs purpose; reflected by the Vision, Mission, Values/Principles, and any guiding ethos that exists.
Strategic alignment to the purpose is of critical focus, partnered with ensuring the purpose is not only connected to people and practice; but it is understood and demonstrated at all levels of the organisation.
The Arches Practice Framework (APF) has been designed to provide whole of organisation oversight. It responds to current and emerging issues in the ย community services sector, additionally supporting reflection and learning to improve practice and service delivery. The APF integrates evidence informed principles and approaches to deliver best practice standards and outcomes for clients, staff, and the organisation.