The Social Housing (Regulation) Bill is changing and will see the biggest reform to professional standards in the sector’s history.
Under new laws to protect residents and raise standards, social housing managers will have to hold a professional qualification.
The timescales are still to be confirmed, but the changes are coming, meaning executive-level staff will require a level 5 Certificate or Diploma in Housing qualification and managers will require a level 4 Certificate or Diploma in Housing qualification.
While we may not know when these changes will come into effect, we know what’s needed by who – so there’s no time like the present to get your staff qualified.
What's changing?
What’s changing?
The changes will mean around 25,000 housing staff will require qualifications and will change the way staff are trained and recruited in the social housing sector.
Who will this affect?
These changes will affect executive-level staff and social housing managers responsible for the management and delivery of housing and property-related services. This could include:
- Neighbourhood housing manager
- Neighbourhood investment manager
- Property manager
- Voids and lettings manager
- Assets manager
- Income manager
- Resident involvement manager
- Supported housing manager
- Leasehold manager.
The qualifications
We will work with you to develop a bespoke CIH learning and development solution that works for your organisation. Use the drop downs below to see the qualifications we offer.
Full cost CIH qualifications
Our standalone CIH programmes help you complete your organisation’s outstanding training quickly.
CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing
The Level 4 Certificate in Housing is a vocational qualification, which explores areas of housing policy, law, finance, and professional practice.
You’ll attend one workshop every six weeks, either in person or online, with research and writing in between.
Units of study include:
- Financing for housing
- Housing law
- Housing policy
- Professional practice skills for housing
- Housing management services
- Managing people and change
Duration: 9 months
Course dates
We have a number of intakes for our commercial courses. Programmes will run in September and November 2023, and January and March 2024.
CIH Level 5 Diploma in Housing
The Level 5 Diploma in Housing is a one year qualification that explores areas of ethical practice, leadership and management, strategic business planning, housing in context, managing relationships and developing professional practice skills for housing.
You will attend workshops every 4-6 weeks, either online or in person, with assignments in between. You will also be asked to feedback on your learning and present your findings to your peers.
Units of study:
- Ethical practice in housing
- Professional practice skills for housing
- Strategic and business planning for housing
- Leadership and management in housing
- Housing in context
- Managing relationships in housing
On completion of this qualification you will be eligible for Chartered Membership status.
Duration: 12 months
Course dates:
We have a number of intakes for our commercial courses. Programmes will run in September and November 2023, and January and March 2024.
Housing apprenticeships
Use your apprenticeship levy to fund our housing apprenticeship programmes, with embedded CIH qualifications, at levels 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Our programmes bring together formal training with best-practice, delivered by industry experts who understand the challenges you face day-to-day.
Property Management Assistant (CIH Level 2)
Aim:
This is ideal for those working in an entry level role in either the social or private housing sector (e.g. Customer Services Assistant, Housing Assistant, Lettings Assistant) dealing with customers on a regular basis and helping to support them with their tenancies.
Results for the individual:
- A good understanding of legislation and regulation in the housing sector
- A clear understanding of the organisation’s policies, values and range of services
- Customer service skills including how to respond to vulnerable customers
Content includes:
- Assets, Repairs and Maintenance
- Customer Service for Housing (inc Equality and Diversity)
- Housing Provision and Housing Organisations
- Professional Development in Housing
Duration: 15 months
Delivery:
A range of tutorial workshops alongside monthly 1 -1 visits from your dedicated Development Coach. Learners will be required to showcase a work related case study as part of the programme.
Housing & Property Management (CIH Level 3)
Aim:
To provide the technical knowledge and understanding across a broad range of frontline housing practices at an operational level. This programme is aimed at people in an operational role, (e.g. Housing Officer, Lettings Officer, Supported Housing Officer).
Results for the individual:
- Understanding of legislation and regulation in the property management sector
- Knowledge of the principles, policiesand values of the organisation
- Ability to resolve defects, common problems, health and safety issues and repairs
- Improved customer service skills and the ability to respond to the needs of vulnerable customers
- A thorough understanding of housing services, including allocations, lettings, tenancy sustainment, and financial and social inclusion
Content includes:
- Professional Practice Skills for Housing
- The Housing System
- Customer Service in Housing
- Dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour in Housing
- Housing Policy
- Involving Housing Service Users
- Occupancy, Tenure and Lettings
- Rental Income Management
Duration: 18 months
Delivery:
A range of tutorial workshops alongside monthly 1 -1 visits from your dedicated Development Coach. Learners will be required to work on workbased project as part of the programme.
Senior Property Management (CIH Level 4)
Aim:
This apprenticeship is aimed at senior housing professionals in the social or private housing sector who are responsible for the delivery and management of housing or property related services (e.g. Neighbourhood Manager, Housing Manager, Income Manager).
Results for the individual:
- A thorough understanding of legislation and regulation in the housing and property management sector
- Ability to effectively undertake business planning, financial and risk management, and monitor performance through management systems
- Confidence to develop effective customer and stakeholder relationships
- The knowledge required to provide advice on housing services such as repairs and maintenance
- Effective people management, decision making and time management skills.
Content includes:
- Customer Service in Housing
- Financing for Housing
- Housing Law
- Housing Policy
- Managing People and Change
- Professional Practice Skills for Housing
Duration:
18 Months
Delivery:
A range of tutorial workshops alongside monthly 1 -1 visits from your dedicated Development Coach. Learners will be required to lead on a workbased project as part of the programme.
Operational Departmental Manager (CIH Level 5)
Aim:
Ideal for professionals who manage teams or projects and are responsible for achieving operational or departmental goals and objectives as part of their organisation’s strategy. It will provide those working in an organisation with the leadership and management knowledge and skills required to progress in their career.
Results for the individual:
- Develop own ability to lead, motivate and inspire to drive better results.
- Use core management techniques to provide practical leadership and operational management skills.
- Benchmark own managerial capability against other professionals.
- Raise own professional profile within your organisation.
Knowledge & Skills Units
- Leading People
- Managing People
- Building Relationships
- Communication
- Operational Management
- Project Management
- Finance
Duration: 24 Months
Delivery: A range of tutorial workshops alongside monthly 1:1 visits from your dedicated Development Coach. Learners will also be required to lead on a work-based project as part of this programme.
Talent solutions for the housing sector
Our talent solutions are designed to meet the needs of the housing sector.
Investing in staff development is a great retention and recruitment strategy and gives your business the edge against your competitors.
Our experts will work closely with you to develop tailored training and recruitment with flexible delivery options to help you attract, train and retain the talent you need to grow - so you can focus on delivering high quality services to your residents.
Customer Service Practitioner Level 2
Aim:
To provide those working in an organisation with the customer service practitioner knowledge and skills required to progress in their career.
Results for the individual:
- Gain a thorough understanding of customer service principles and practices
- Develop enhanced customer service skills
- Develop improved communication skills
- Learn how to effectively evaluate customer service satisfaction levels.
Content includes:
Knowledge Units
- Knowing your customers
- Understanding the organisation
- Meeting regulations and legislation
- Systems and resources
- Your role and responsibility
- Customer experience
- Product and service knowledge
Skills Units
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication
- Influencing skills
- Personal organisation
- Dealing with customer conflict and challenge
Duration: 12 months
Delivery:
A range of tutorial workshops alongside monthly 1 -1 visits from your dedicated Development Coach.
Customer Service Specialist Level 3
Aim:
To provide those working in an organisation to become motivated, highly professional staff who are the brand champions of your organisation and who fully understand providing an excellent service to the customer from start to finish, delivering the highest levels of customer service and reducing complaint levels.
Results for the individual:
• Specialist customer service knowledge and skills
• Ability to Improve to customer service delivery
• Competence to Handle and resolve complex customer service issues
• Introduction to Team working and leadership styles
• Enhanced Project Management skills
Content includes:
Knowledge Units
- Business Knowledge and Understanding
- Customer Journey knowledge
- Knowing your customers and their needs/ Customer Insight
- Customer service culture and environment awareness
Skills Units
- Business-focused service delivery
- Providing a positive customer experience
- Working with your customers / customer insights
- Customer service performance
- Service improvement
Duration: 18 Months
Delivery:
A range of tutorial workshops alongside monthly 1 -1 visits from your dedicated Development Coach. Learners will be required to present a work based project they have led on as part of the programme.
Team Leader / Supervisor Level 3
Aim:
Ideal for professionals taking their first step into line management, or those with some experience of managing a team or project. To provide those working in an organisation with the leadership and management knowledge and skills required to progress in their career.
Results for the individual:
- Develop a range of essential management skills applied and refined in a real working environment.
- Build the leadership capability to motivate teams and influence with confidence.
- Gain a broad understanding of key management and leadership theories to underpin and support growth and performance.
Content includes:
- Leading people
- Managing people
- Building relationships
- Communication
- Organisational performance - delivering results
- Operational management
- Project management
- Finance
Duration: 18 Months
Delivery:
A range of tutorial workshops alongside monthly 1 -1 visits from your dedicated Development Coach. Project management will also form part of this programme.
Business Administrator Level 3
Aim:
To provide valuable skills such as project management, coaching skills and business administration skills. This is an advanced apprenticeship that will emower staff to influence business improvement practices and gain a wide range of skills, knowledge and behaviours to be effective in a business administration role.
Results for the individual:
- Business skills
- Coaching skills
- Project management skills
Content includes:
- Professional development
- Logistics planning
- Legislation, regulations and policies
- Health and safety and GDPR
Duration: 15 months
Delivery:
A range of tutorial workshops alongside monthly 1 -1 visits from your dedicated Development Coach. Learners will be required to present a work based project they have led on as part of the programme.
Property Maintenance Operative Level 2
Aim:
To provide those working in an organisation with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to conduct the general day-to-day maintenance required to keep a range of properties in a good state of repair. This apprenticeship ensures the individual is able to carry out work that is carried out is compliant with health and safety requirements and meets building safety regulations and legislation.
Results for the individual:
- Develop a range of essential maintenance and repair skills.
- Gain a broad understanding of key building regulations and maintenance requirements.
- An ability to provide maximum satisfaction to customers, clients, staff or residents
Content includes:
- Fundamental trade skills including:
- Carpentry
- Joinery
- Plumbing
- Plastering
- Brick and work
- Tilings
- Painting and decorating
- Plumbing
- Building maintenance systems including:
- Water hygiene
- Drainage
- Energy management
- Electrical systems
- Emergency systems
- Environmental protection
- Repairs planning
- Building safety and key regulatory and legislative requirements
- Record keeping and reporting
- Customer service
- Health and safety
- Sustainable working practices
Duration: 24 months
Delivery:
The apprentice will complement their work experience with trade workshops with their Development Coach one day per week, made up of practical and theoretical training. They will also develop e-portfolio of work-based evidence.
Green Skills Bootcamps
Aim:
Our Green Skills Bootcamps are designed to deliver industry relevant training to current employees of Registered Social Housing Providers who are currently working on housing retrofit projects.
Our courses are co-designed with our housing sector employer network and align to the knowledge and skills required for job roles in housing retrofit.
Upskilling employees to develop the knowledge and skills of Asset Management, Retrofit and Domestic Energy Assessments will ensure existing homes reduce consumption of energy and promote behavioural change.
Who is it for?
Our Green Skills Bootcamps will be available to adults aged 19+, who will have some previous knowledge of the industry due to their project work but no formal qualifications.
Results for the individual:
Learners will gain new skills and qualifications aligned to the knowledge and skills required for job roles in Housing Retrofit.
After completing the programme learners will get a guaranteed interview with their employer from our partner network, including:
-
EcoGee
-
Halton Housing
-
Livv Housing
-
Magenta Living
-
Onward Homes
-
One Vision Housing, part of the Sovini Group,
-
Plus Dane
-
Prima
-
Regenda
-
Torus
Content includes:
-
Introduction to social housing and the retrofit industry
-
The role of retrofit in home energy consumption
-
Retrofit principles and standards including PAS2035 and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
-
Net Zero Strategy
-
Housing construction and maintenance
-
Regeneration
-
Asset management
-
Domestic energy assessments
-
Health and safety in a housing environment
-
Customer service
-
Professional practice skills for housing
-
Mentoring and coaching with industry experts
-
Career development classes and employability skills
Qualifications:
-
L3 units of Certificate in Housing Maintenance and Asset Management
-
L3 accredited qualifications in Domestic Energy Assessment (DEA) and Retrofit Advice
-
L3 in Domestic Retrofit
Duration: 1 day per week for 8 weeks
Delivery:
A mix of practical, and theory-based sessions delivered by blended learning -face-to-face and some interactive online delivery.
Short courses and workshops
At The Learning Foundry we provide fully-funded short courses designed to help you develop your team.
These programmes are funded by the Adult Education Budget (AEB) - a government-funded programme that can be accessed by employers to fund a range of training at no cost to your business. We can use this funding stream to create a bespoke business skills programme that suits your business and supports your future talent pipeline.
Including:
-
Team leadership
-
Safeguarding and Prevent
-
Construction
-
Green Skills / Retrofit
-
Maths and English Functional Skills
Social value recruitment services
We can support your talent attraction strategy with our complimentary recruitment service that provides value, improves efficiency and reduces costs.
- Grow your own future talent by recruiting an apprentice
- Recruit for multiple vacancies through adult skills and employment programmes
- Offer work experience to a trainee
Our expert team will support you through the entire process – from vacancy management and recruitment, to accessing funding and training for your new recruit.
Why choose The Learning Foundry?
- The Learning Foundry has been upskilling staff and delivering recruitment services for more than 30 years.
- We understand housing and our CIH accredited qualifications have been developed by the sector, for the sector.
- We're one of only a small number of training providers in the country to deliver level 4 and level 5 qualifications in this area.
- We will work with you to develop a flexible, tailored talent strategy to suit your staff and your organisation.
- We are rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted for our apprenticeship programmes, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behaviour and welfare, outcomes for learners, and our leadership and management.
- Employers and learners rate us ‘excellent’ - the highest possible rating in the most recent Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) apprenticeships survey.
By the sector, for the sector
Part of The Regenda Group
We are housing experts. As part of The Regenda Group, we understand housing and we are a training provider with social value at the core. Our programmes are developed by the sector, for the sector and are delivered by industry experts who understand the challenges you face day-to-day.
We are proud to support the sector to navigate the new requirements and to ensure that you comply with the new laws when they come in.