Acers have surface feeding roots so you do not want to plant anything around 30cm of the trunk.

Do you have any sugestions as to what i might plant nearby

We have the autumn flowering cyclamen under ours, not much else survives, and they don't have deep roots.

I should give it a good drink, and put bark chippings to keep the root moist in dry weather.

A newly planted Acer should have nothing planted around it, but bark chippings are a very good idea. You can add plants like Cylamen (a good suggestion) after 3 years. Acers are very prima donna. If they do not like something - they hate wind, so keep it in a sheltered place, they die or die back.

My dwarf acer is in my raised bed and spring bulbs come in bloom all around when the acer is coming into bud.

And now is Orange Dream full of stunning leaves with alpine plants under and looks fab.

Also got alpine grit.