This course provides an accessible overview of the key legal and regulatory requirements relating to safety and quality in social housing. It explores the responsibilities of organisations and individuals, including the additional duties associated with higher-risk buildings, and the importance of effective systems, accurate information and proactive risk management.

Delegates will also consider the importance of listening to residents, responding to concerns and maintaining effective oversight and assurance to ensure that safety and quality remain central to service delivery.

What will delegates learn?

Delegates will gain a clearer understanding of the legal and regulatory framework governing safety and quality in social housing, including the responsibilities placed on landlords and their staff.

The course will help delegates recognise the importance of effective health and safety compliance, accurate stock condition information, regular inspections, responsive repairs and proactive risk management.

Delegates will also develop a better understanding of how to recognise, report and escalate safety concerns, respond appropriately to residents and contribute to effective organisational accountability, oversight and assurance.

This course will cover

• The legal and regulatory framework – understanding the purpose and key provisions of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and Building Safety Act 2022, and what these mean for housing providers
• The Regulator of Social Housing – exploring its role, regulatory powers and expectations of landlords in delivering safe, good-quality homes and services
• The Safety and Quality Standard – understanding the requirements of the Standard and its implications for landlords, including maintaining safe homes, understanding property conditions and providing effective services
• Essential health and safety compliance – exploring the key responsibilities for maintaining safe homes, managing property-related hazards and meeting relevant health and safety requirements
• Building safety responsibilities – understanding the wider building safety framework and the additional legal and regulatory requirements associated with higher-risk buildings
• Stock condition information, inspections and repairs – recognising the importance of accurate and up-to-date property information, effective inspection programmes, timely repairs and proactive risk management
• Recognising, reporting and escalating safety concerns – understanding the responsibilities of staff in identifying and responding to potential safety issues, including listening to residents, taking their concerns seriously and ensuring appropriate action is taken
• Organisational accountability, oversight and assurance – exploring how effective governance, monitoring, reporting and assurance arrangements help landlords demonstrate compliance and deliver safe, good-quality homes

Who should attend?

This course is suitable for housing managers, property and asset management teams, compliance staff, operational managers and anyone with responsibilities relating to the safety, condition and management of residents’ homes.

It will also be valuable for senior managers and staff involved in overseeing housing services, managing risks and ensuring their organisation meets its legal and regulatory responsibilities.

No specialist technical knowledge is required, making this an accessible course for housing professionals who need to understand the wider safety and quality framework.

Debbie Larner has worked in the social housing sector for over 30 years within both local authorities and housing associations before moving on to join the professional body – the CIH – where she was Head of Practice. In that time, she developed expertise in in a number of areas including housing and asset management, resident engagement, governance, health and safety. She developed the CIH professional standards and also co-led research into the future of social housing, stigma and stereotyping in housing and the role of the housing professional.