Social housing qualifications ‘no silver bullet’, says law firm Winckworth Sherwood.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has confirmed that social housing managers must now obtain a qualification equivalent to a level four or five certificate or diploma in housing, or a degree from the Chartered Institute of Housing.
It is, says Matt Cowen, a Senior Associate at the social housing law firm Winckworth Sherwood “far from a silver bullet. A greater focus on governance is to promote fundamental change.
“For many, this is a chance to improve their skillsets and sector knowledge to provide a more complete and better quality service to tenants. However, this amendment is far from a silver bullet in driving change in working cultures and practices.
“Wider focus on governance is required across the social housing sector to promote fundamental change. These measures are part of a concerted effort to reform the way that RPs interact with tenants and are part of the much wider set of changes introduced by the new bill focused on protecting tenants’ interests.
“Despite added pressure due to increasing costs and scrutiny over their delivery, it is essential that social housing providers stay alive to impending changes and plan accordingly.”
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