Being able to deal with safeguarding issues quickly and effectively is vital for housing providers. It keeps tenants safe and ensures service requests and complaints are handled with care.

With a growing number of vulnerable people in general needs housing, safeguarding issues are becoming more common. It’s something HQN members are increasingly concerned about, but how many organisations have a clear and easily accessible safeguarding policies in place to help staff navigate these complex situations?

Staff must know what to look out for and the appropriate action to take.

Housing and repairs staff in particular are well placed to spot signs of abuse or neglect during visits and conversations. They are the people who are most likely to get behind the front door and can often earn tenant’s trust.

To help you get started, safeguarding expert Tahira (Tara) Hussain will deliver a focused, virtual lunchtime session. This session will give you a solid baseline of knowledge from which to build your safeguarding services and further training.

What will be covered:

• What is safeguarding?
• A definition of safeguarding in the context of domestic abuse
• The roles and responsibilities of social housing providers
• Common safeguarding issues in housing
• Why safeguarding awareness is essential for all team members
• Practical options for responding to and managing safeguarding concerns effectively
• Time for questions and answers.

Why attend?

• Understand the importance of effective safeguarding policies and services for tenants and all staff
• Improve your ability to identify safeguarding issues
• Become better equipped to support vulnerable tenants.

Essential for:

• Directors and managers of housing services
• Directors and managers of repairs services
• All staff with customer interaction
• All staff who wish to expand their knowledge around safeguarding.

12:00pm Welcome and introduction

• Tara Hussain, Trainer, HQN

Safeguarding – what social housing providers need to know

Opportunities for questions and discussion

1:00pm Close

Tara Hussain, Trainer, HQN

With over 30 years of experience in the housing, corporate and voluntary sectors, Tahira is a highly skilled trainer with a proven track record in delivering impactful training. A qualified Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and member of BABCP and BPS, she has worked with national agencies to design and deliver training packages across housing, health and community sectors. She has also held key leadership roles, including Trustee for Central Action Women’s Aid and The Big Life Group and Specialist Domestic Abuse Lead for Self Help Services.

If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected].

Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

Cancellations must be made in writing and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited.