This informal CPD article, ‘Crafting an Effective Resident Engagement Strategy (RES)’, was provided by Black Boots Technology, a software company providing AI based technology to various industries where specific challenges exist.
Understanding Resident Engagement Strategy (RES)
A Resident Engagement Strategy (RES) should not be complex. However, it does serve as a comprehensive document that outlines the strategies in place to engage with the residents of a building, how their needs and preferences have been considered, and how you provide information. Strategies are customised to each individual property as residents in different buildings have different requirements and preferences.
To build an effective resident engagement, the approach should focus on listening to residents' safety concerns rather than simply informing them of safety measures. It's not enough for residents to be safe, they need to feel safe too.
Previously, building owners may have disregarded residents' voices. However, regulations now mandate that their opinions and concerns must be taken into consideration when looking at building safety.
The Building Safety Act (1) has put a significant shift on the built environment towards enhancing the safety of buildings, particularly those deemed as high-risk. A key component of the transformative act involves putting residents at the centre of building safety initiatives to foster a more proactive culture.
Main elements to a Resident Engagement Strategy
Understanding your residents
A successful Resident Engagement Strategy depends on a deep understanding of your residents’ unique needs and preferences. By knowing your community well, you can tailor evacuation procedures that fit every household’s specific circumstances. This includes identifying any residents with disabilities or vulnerabilities to ensure they receive the necessary support and accommodations during emergencies.
Information to be provided to residents
Providing residents with the necessary information is crucial for building trust and confidence in their building's safety. Resident should be informed on:
- Matters regarding building safety
- Fire procedures
- Fire risks
- Evacuation plans
- Any planned building work related to safety
- Your legal obligations towards the building and its safety
Residents should also be consulted before any disruptive works lasting over a day will occur, including the schedule and mitigation plans. To maximise engagement, various communication methods should be used to reach all residents. This includes (but not limited to) newsletters, emails, website updates, resident meetings, and information boards.
Decisions you will consult residents on
While residents appreciate being heard, they do not want to be involved in all decisions and would rather be consulted on matters that are only relevant to them, and the buildings safety. This can include such things like fire safety updates, building maintenance plans, or changes to communal areas.
And how residents’ views will be heard
It isn’t just enough to understand your resident needs so you can tailor evacuation procedures - it is also essential to understand your residents’ views and opinions.
While not necessarily a component of the resident engagement strategy, all buildings must have a clearly defined residents' complaints procedure in place. This procedure should be a separate document if not part of the resident engagement strategy.
Key information to include in your resident engagement strategy could be:
- Residents’ demographics and their preferred methods of communication
- Details of Accountable Persons
- How the Accountable Persons currently engage with residents and how they intent to inform residents on building safety work
- The current safety information available to residents
- The complaints system that will be used for any building safety complaints
- The system in place for residents to submit safety concerns
- Details of the building safety regulator
- How resident will be informed about their responsibilities and how these will be managed
- Records of any relevant consultations carried out
By encompassing the key areas above, your Resident Engagement Strategy should be effective in fostering a sense of community. However, the true measure of a successful strategy lies in its accessibility. Every resident should be able to understand the strategy and its implications for them, so clear and jargon-free communication is essential. The more resident friendly your strategy is, the more likely it is to promote engagement.
While resident engagement is a crucial aspect of building safety, it is acknowledged that not all residents may desire to actively participate. The key is to simply demonstrate your efforts to engage all residents, regardless of their level of involvement.
Conclusion
A resident engagement strategy should not be underestimated as it is vital in fostering a collaborative relationship between building owners and residents. By actively engaging resident in safety initiatives, building owners can gain valuable insights into their concerns, preferences, and understanding of safety measures. Having a two-way communication approach can lead to more effective safety protocols, increased resident satisfaction, and a stronger sense of community within the building. Additionally, resident engagement can help to identify potential safety hazards early on, reducing the risk of accidents and incidents.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from Black Boots Technology, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
REFERENCES
(1) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-building-safety-act
