In recent years, the importance of having board members with actual lived tenant experience has been reiterated. This lived experience brings unique perspective to the organisation's decision-making.
Growing concerns regarding mould, fire safety, and general disrepair and the resulting regulatory changes, means there has never been a better time to start adding to your board’s knowledge than now. Strong, knowledgeable tenant Board members will help organisations adhere to the latest consumer, building, and governance-related changes in the sector and more importantly improve the services you deliver to your customers.
What You Will Learn
This training is designed to equip tenant board members with a comprehensive understanding of their responsibilities and the regulatory framework within which they operate. In addition to providing an overview of the regulatory and compliance landscape, the program emphasizes the importance of governance, risk management, finance, and accounting in relation to their role. By participating in this training, board members will enhance their knowledge and skills, as well as feel confident in how they question and challenge the Execs and carry out their duties effectively and responsibly.
Introduction to Social Housing
A brief overview of the role of social housing; covering the history of the sector, our main objectives and today’s challenges. You will gain
- An insight into the historical context of social housing, and its evolution over the years.
- A thorough understanding of the rationale behind social housing practises and policies. Learn why certain approaches have been adopted and the impact they have had on communities.
- Social housing can sometimes feel like a world filled with acronyms. Fear not, as this webinar will demystify these abbreviations and ensure you’re well-equipped with the terminology.
- We will direct you to a glossary, a valuable resource for anyone looking to expand their knowledge in the realm of social housing.
Governance, Regulation and Compliance
Exploring the external conditions Social Housing providers operate within and the requirements of the Social Housing Regulator, Financial Conduct Authority, and other bodies. This session will also cover the basics of good governance, including referring to the Code of Governance and Code of Conduct and the key principles around how the board and its tenant members can lead a culture of Good Governance.
Introduction To Finance, Budgets and Accounting
We will discuss the fundamental components of financial statements, the essential components of your organisation’s income and expenses, as well as its assets and liabilities. We will also identify and clarify the essential components of financial accounts, including terminology.
We will discuss the significance of budgeting, businesses planing, establishing their budgets and the Audit Committee and Board’s role in budget setting, and how to keep track of financial information.
Understanding Board reports and challenging Executives
In this session, we will discuss what to look for when examining data and reports and how board members can avoid the trap of simply “nodding through” reports. We will also discuss how to ‘read across’ reports and triangulate to understand the story of your organisation. We will discuss how boards can gain assurance that the organisation is delivering its social purpose and strategy. The session will also discuss how to challenge the Executive respectively and how to bring the “tenant perspective” verses their own perspective.
Introduction To Risk and Audit
This session will review the regulatory and legal requirements for a robust risk and assurance framework. It will provide a solid foundation in risk assessment, risk mitigation, and how committee members can confirm that risks are being managed and controls are being implemented. Understanding and managing risk is a crucial component of any business, and all social landlords are required by their regulator to do so.
Fees & Additional Information
This training consists of five two-hour sessions, each session will be recorded and available on our website for two years, where you will have access to watch it again.
In addition to the 5-week training program we are offering a mentoring element to support participants learning. The package will include:
– access to 6 recorded webinar sessions (picked by participants),
– access to a closed Facebook group with other attendees,
– a personal session with one of the trainers to ensure understanding and complete a skills assessment
– three hours of drop-in “surgery” with other participants, to support learning.
More details to come.
Fees: The five week course will be £650 (plus VAT) – there is an additional support element you can purchase separately at £250 (plus VAT).
- 17 November 2023, 10:00am – 12:00pm, and then weekly until 15 December 2023
- Run again week starting 10 June 2024 for 5 weeks. Day and time to be confirmed.
Contact us to reserve a place on one of these courses or to express an interest in the training. If there is enough interest we will arrange more dates.