What is ARCO?

ARCO stands for Associated Retirement Community Operators. 

It is the Trade Body for the UK Retirement Community sector and it seeks to drive and improve standards (via the ARCO Consumer Code) and serve as a ‘best practice club’ for operators and partners.

ARCO operators are both for profit and not-for-profit and run Retirement Communities which offer homes for older people integrated with the following services:

• They must have staff available at the community 24 hours a day
• They have restaurants or dining areas and communal facilities to promote an active social life
• They agree to the high standards of consumer protection in the ARCO Consumer Code and are assessed against the Code regularly by ARCO

What does the ARCO Shield mean?

If you see the ARCO Approved Operator shield, this means that the community and the organisation that runs it meet the standards set out in the ARCO Consumer Code. This stringent set of standards means that the operator goes beyond minimum legal requirements to ensure transparency and honesty in their marketing and sales practices.  This ARCO accreditation ensures that residents and their families can have peace of mind regarding:

• The nature of the services and facilities provided
• Transparency and clarity around Contracts and Terms and Conditions
• That marketing and sales processes give you clear upfront information about services, fees and charges
• That complaints procedures are robust
• That the operator is audited against the stringent standards that ARCO sets  
  

Why does it matter?

Moving into a Retirement Community is a significant decision and can seem daunting. The ARCO Approved Operator badge is there to provide you and your family with peace of mind. ARCO raises and drives standards, operates as a ‘watchdog’ for the sector, and protects customers in a fast-evolving market.

The UK Retirement Community sector is currently unregulated by Government. ARCO is actively campaigning to change this. If you, or a loved one, are considering a move into a Retirement Community, the ARCO shield indicates an operator that has chosen to be held to the highest professional standards.

For more information, visit the ARCO website here.

Find out more about the benefits of Retirement Living in this Autumna YouTube Live presentation.