In its latest spotlight report, Repairing Trust, the Housing Ombudsman recommended “that landlords create and promote a code of conduct for all staff and contractors entering residents’ homes”.

The Competence and Conduct Standard will also expect housing providers to “adopt or develop an appropriate code of conduct and to ensure it is embedded within their organisation”.

Most housing organisations have a code of conduct but:

• Is it fit for purpose?
• Does it drive professional attitudes or behaviours?
• How is it embedded into management structures and performance management?
• What does a great appraisal look like?

This short, practical lunchtime session will answer all these questions and more.

Fitting neatly into your day, HQN Associates Debbie Larner and Jane Atherton are hosting this virtual lunch and learn workshop.

What will be covered:

• Does your code of conduct reflect the standards expected under the new Competence and Conduct Standard?
• Is it embedded in everyday practice, not just a document on the intranet?
• Are your 121, appraisal and performance management frameworks supporting consistent, high-quality conversations around behaviour, communication and professionalism?

Why attend?

• Find out what a fit-for-purpose code of conduct really looks like
• Learn how to align it with performance management and appraisal processes
• Discover how to use it to build a culture of accountability, trust and service excellence.

Essential for:

Everyone responsible for implementing the requirements in the new Conduct and Competence standard or the recommendations in the latest HOS report:

• HR
• Learning and development
• Organisational development
• Senior housing managers
• Senior housing executives
• Strategic service providers.

Debbie Larner, Associate, HQN

Debbie has been working in social housing for over 30 years – most of which was spent at CIH as Head of Practice. Debbie has led the sector’s work on professional standards and has also been focusing on building/fire safety since the Grenfell Tower disaster. She was a key member of the Industry Steering Group focusing on the role and the competency of the Building Safety Manager. For HQN, Debbie has been focusing on building safety and disrepair as part of her lead associate role – hosting workshops on a range of topical issues, including health and safety compliance.

Jane Atherton, Associate, HQN

Jane is an experienced Organisational Development (OD) professional. A Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, she has a proven track record in senior roles delivering strategic OD and HR. She is passionate about all things employee engagement and is proud to have supported businesses to achieve top spots in The Sunday Times Best 100 Companies to Work For, along with National Training Awards and Investors in People.

She became an independent consultant in 2018, runs her own business called Hooga Consulting, and is an Associate of HQN.

12:00pm Welcome and introductions

• Debbie Larner, Associate, HQN

• Jane Atherton, Associate, HQN

12:05pm The road to regulation: where are we now?

• Recap of the proposed Competence & Conduct Standard
• What we know about the timeline and regulatory expectations
• What this means for housing providers and your teams

12:30pm What makes a strong code of conduct?

• Key components of an effective code
• Aligning your code with the new standard
• Interactive discussion: What do you already have in place?

1:00pm Living the code: embedding it into everyday culture

• From document to daily decisions — making it real

1:30pm Performance management that works

• Best practice approaches to managing conduct and competence
• Coaching, feedback, and documentation
• Building confidence in line managers to uphold standards consistently

1:55pm Final thoughts & actions

• Key takeaways
• Signpost to resources / follow-up opportunities

2:00pm Close

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.