Latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact and/or may require action from our member charities, with links to further information where applicable.

As a result of the latest government action to improve standards and improve the lives of social housing residents, Regulated Social Housing Managers will now need a professional qualification to manage properties.

• Professional qualifications are now to be made mandatory for social housing managers, ensuring residents receive a high-quality service and rapidly professionalise the sector
• Part of the Social Housing (Regulations) Bill which will give Regulator tough new powers to hold landlords to account

It was announced by Housing Secretary, Michael Gove (26 Feb 23) that Social Housing managers must gain professional qualifications under new rules to protect residents and raise standards in the sector.

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.

The changes will be made through amendments to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill which will drive up standards in the sector and hold landlords to account over the service they provide to their tenants. The Bill will also give the Regulator tough new powers – allowing them to enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice and make emergency repairs with landlords footing the bill.

It follows Awaab’s Law, introduced earlier this year in the wake of the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, which will force social landlords to fix damp and mould within strict time limits.

“Today’s new requirements will professionalise and drive the culture change needed in the sector, ensuring residents receive a high level of service and are treated with respect at all times. While many managers already provide a high quality professional service, not all do. This will ensure that all managers have the skills and qualifications they need.”

This aspect of the Social Housing Bill was announced yesterday and there is currently no detail about what that would look like or how appropriate it would be to managing a small group of almshouses. Generally, we see any additional knowledge as a good thing but until we see the detail will reserve judgement about how relevant it is to our members.

The new CPD accredited Almshouse Trustee and Clerk Training, ‘The Almshouse Way’, which is based on the latest edition of Standards of Almshouse Management, may be a way of offering the Regulator of Social Housing satisfaction that our members are being trained specifically in relation to the management of homes within the charity context. It may be that the professional qualification they refer to in their press release, as yet unspecified, will be a really valuable qualification. However, as the Regulator of Social Housing is designed for Housing Associations managing over 1,000 units it may be geared towards data gathering and mass building management. The Almshouse Association will monitor and report to members.

posted 27 February 23

Charity Commission launches a new push on trustee guides as sector faces challenging year with ‘Here to help’ 5-minute guides, raising awareness of core trustee duties.

The Charity Commission’s latest research shows that just 7 out of 10 trustees answered basic role requirements correctly – demonstrating a knowledge gap that could lead to unintentional governance failings. Their 5-minute guides act as a core syllabus offering trustees engaging, informative content covering the basics all trustees should know. The Commission encourages trustees to refresh their knowledge and fill any gaps so that they can best serve their charities – and those who rely on them.

The core suite of 5-minute guides covers advice on the following subject areas (click on the links to access):

• Delivering purpose – how to use your charity’s governing document, how to deliver on your charity’s purposes and the law.
• Managing finances – how to ensure your charity’s money is safe, properly used and accounted for.
• Conflicts of interest – how to identify and deal with conflicts of interest in your charity.
• Making decisions – advice on how to make valid trustee decisions that are in your charity’s best interests.
• Reporting information – how and what you need to report to the Commission.
• Safeguarding people – your responsibilities to keep everyone who comes into contact with your charity safe from harm.
• Political activity & campaigning – charities that want to support, or oppose, a change in government policy or the law.

Each guide is accompanied by a video (apart from Political activity and campaigning) which can be accessed by clicking on the video screenshots below:

Full Charity Commission press release can be accessed here:
‘Here to help’: Commission launches new push on trustee guides as sector faces challenging year – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

posted 7 February 2023