CPD Training for Social Housing Managers

Social housing is an important aspect of the overall housing and societal infrastructure within the UK. Recently, increased expectations for social housing managers have been introduced to raise standards within the sector. In this article, we will cover the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements for social housing managers, including the benefits and where to find relevant CPD training.

What is social housing management?

Social housing is accommodation usually owned by social housing landlords, local councils or housing associations. It is therefore often subsidised by the government to be more affordable than the open housing market. Social housing is designed to help individuals and families with lower incomes find housing solutions.

The management of social housing is a multifaceted role that covers many areas. This includes responsibilities such as finding appropriate social housing for tenants, setting and administering rents, processing applications for housing improvements or repairs. Regularly updating and liaising with tenant groups, local authority councillors, property professionals, and other support and welfare organisations is also a key part of the role.

CPD requirements for social housing managers

In order to further protect tenants and raise the overall standards in the social housing sector, the UK Government introduced the Social Housing (Regulations) Bill 2023. A key point of the bill requires social housing managers to be appropriately qualified for their role (1). The government bill guidance states:

“Around 25,000 managers across the sector will now be required to have an appropriate level housing management qualification regulated by Ofqual equivalent to a Level 4 or 5 Certificate or Diploma in Housing, or a foundation degree from the Chartered Institute of Housing.”

These new requirements were introduced after various instances of mismanagement in the social housing sector. The requirements are intended to help social housing managers perform more effectively in their role. They aim to help managers avoid future mismanagement and improve the standards of the social housing sector.

Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) CPD

Many social housing managers will be members of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH). The CIH actively encourage members to participate in CPD (2). Although the CIH do not set expectations in terms of annual CPD hours, their guidance states:

“At the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), professionalism is at the heart of everything we do and includes the commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD). CPD is an ongoing, purposeful and planned learning and development process that helps you further develop as a modern housing professional.

CPD activities will assist you in recognising all the work you do in your current role as part of your professional development and address any gaps in your skills, knowledge, or behaviours.”

What are the benefits of CPD for social housing managers?

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the term used to describe the learning activities individuals engage in to develop and enhance their abilities throughout their career. At its core, CPD is about the individual’s commitment to lifelong learning and can offer many benefits to social housing managers. Although by no means exhaustive, the following identifies some of the key advantages of CPD participation:

Maintain standards

Along with the necessary basic qualifications equivalent to a Level 4 housing management diploma, social housing managers will benefit greatly from an ongoing commitment to CPD. As explained within the Social Housing (Regulations) Bill 2023, requirements for social housing managers are liable to change on a regular basis. Participating in CPD training can help social housing managers stay up to date with any key changes to the industry and maintain regulatory compliance.

Increase competence

Completing regular CPD can help social housing managers become more competent by broadening their skillset and improving their overall knowledge of the housing sector. Increased competence can improve productivity and proficiency, consequently helping housing professionals to gain more confidence in their role.

Provide a valuable service

With social housing being such an important part of UK’s housing infrastructure, it is important for social housing managers to provide a valuable service to a variety of stakeholders - including social housing landlords, housing associations and tenants. CPD can help social housing managers develop their skills and knowledge within the sector, but will also provide opportunities to develop valuable transferable skills such as leadership and communication

Networking

CPD events provide professionals with valuable networking opportunities. For social housing managers, networking will offer opportunities to meet fellow housing professionals and share experiences of the sector and gain an expanse of new perspectives from peers in their field. This can help social housing managers offer a more valuable service to all stakeholders and gain a deeper and more informed understanding of the housing sector.

Cost effective and flexible

CPD can be a cost-effective method of learning. CPD courses are often affordable, or even free, offering learners a chance to develop their skills and knowledge without overextending their budget. CPD learning can also offer flexibility. This could be engaging with learning methods such as online courses, but CPD also emphasises the importance of reflective learning such as reading relevant books or watching educational videos.

Where can I find CPD courses for social housing management?

Within the CPD Courses Catalogue, there are a range of specific CPD courses for social housing managers, as well as other beneficial learning including educational events, eLearning programs, conferences, workshops and seminars – all of which have been formally CPD certified. To find out more about a particular CPD course listed on our website, please complete an enquiry form and the details will be sent directly to the relevant CPD provider.

How to become an accredited CPD provider

We hope this article was helpful. Established in 1996, The CPD Certification Service has over 27 years’ experience providing CPD accreditation. With members in over 100 countries, our CPD providers benefit from the ability to promote themselves as part of an international community where quality is both recognised and assured.

If you are interested in offering training or events suitable for Continuing Professional Development, please visit the Become a CPD Provider page or contact our team to discuss in more detail. Alternatively, if you are looking for a free online CPD record tool to help manage, track and log your ongoing learning, as well as store your professional training records and attendance certificates in one simple place, go to the myCPD Portal page.

REFERENCES

(1)https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65ba1006ee7d4900139849f8/Policy_Statement_on_Qualifications_Requirements_for_Social_Housing.pdf

(2) https://www.cih.org/professional-standards/cpd/