CHS Update provides a monthly diary of news and views from the Centre for Housing Support.
For further information about any of the issues below, visit the CHS website, or telephone Carol Holt on 01905 727262.
Time Running Out for Subsidised Adult Apprenticeships in Housing
The Government is currently indicating that from August 2012, employers will be expected to contribute considerably more towards any validated qualification for employees aged over 18.
If you or your staff are interested in gaining formal, recognised Housing qualifications, an Apprenticeship in Housing provides nationally-accepted, validated qualifications, which will both develop Housing knowledge and recognise existing experience.
CHS Apprenticeships courses start in Southampton on 24th April, Worcester on 16th May and Manchester on 28th June. Courses for other areas are also planned.
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Service Reviews: A New CHS National Seminar Series
If you are considering reviewing your service or moving towards 'intensive housing management' funding, this one day course will examine how you can future proof your service, equip yourself with the relevant tools and techniques to review your business and investigate many ways in which your organisation can develop both in terms of growth and service excellence.
The course will be held in London on 3rd July, Worcester on 4th July and Manchester on 31st July.
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CHS National Congress Returns
The 2012 Congress will be on 12th & 13th July 2012 in Cheltenham. The theme is Achieving Excellence in a New Era.
Life for housing support providers has become more challenging under the Coalition Government because commissioning budgets have been cut; commissioning is increasingly focused on outcomes and in particular, payment by results; tendering for contracts has become much more competitive; consortia or partnerships may be needed to win contracts and the relationship with service users continues to change because of personalisation.
Providers often find themselves competing with each other to win favour from service users and contracts from commissioners. This prompts questions such as:
Answering these questions is our mission for the 2012 Congress.
Speakers already confirmed include Grainia Long, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing and Colin Molton, HCA Executive Director and Champion for Older People.
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Could You Be a CHS Tutor or Associate?
We're always on the look out for more highly skilled, professional practitioners to help us deliver our services across the UK. If you're an experienced housing or housing-relted support professional and are expert in one or more of the subjects we need, we may have openings for you to use those skills with us.
If you're interested in training aspects, and especially if you already have a teaching qualification - or are interested in working towards one we offer our seminars, workshops and in-house courses right across the UK; so wherever you live, we would like to hear from you.
If you're experienced and expert in service reviews, preparing for inspection, service design and development, surveys and research, service user involvement and tenant participation, your skills are much in demand. We may have openings to work with our consultancy department or as an advisor or assessor. We're looking for people with knowledge of Sheltered and supported housing, Housing-related Support, Floating support services, Extra-care, Housing law, Mental health, Advocacy, Telecare, Service user involvement, Benefits and welfare advice, Estate management, Homelessness, Leasehold management, Call and control centres and Financial inclusion.
