Earlier this year, the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill was introduced into Parliament with the clear aim of protecting residents by raising the standard of the services provided to them.  

A recent amendment to the Bill includes a requirement for some staff to have professional qualifications. This amendment seeks to ensure that residents receive a high-quality service by ensuring that all managers and executives have the skills and qualifications necessary to provide an excellent professional service for their customers.  

This amendment to the Bill means the Social Housing sector need to take steps now to be ready for the expected changes.   

Not every employee will be required to have professional qualifications. The wording of the draft amendment indicates that there are two types of relevant managers within the Social Housing sector, who must have these newly introduced professional qualifications.  

Senior Housing Executives are employees with day-to-day management responsibilities for the provider as part of the provider’s senior management. Under the proposed amendment, senior housing executives must have or be working towards a foundation degree from the Chartered Institute of Housing or a Level 5 Diploma in Housing.  

Senior Housing Managers are senior housing and property managers with responsibility for managing housing or property related services, leading a team, and taking responsibility for the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of their business area. According to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill, these managers should have or be working towards a Level 4 Certificate in Housing.  

Given that this Bill is currently in the Report stage in the House of Commons, it is unclear when these changes will be implemented, nor what the transition period for achieving the required qualifications will be. However, a Level 4 qualification takes around 18-24 months to complete, therefore it is hoped that the transition period will take this into account. Even more so, the Government is due to consult the sector and qualification bodies, such as the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education about this.  

In terms of next steps, if you are a Registered Provider of Social Housing, we would suggest that you review: 

• Which of your employees fit the above definitions of senior housing manager and senior housing executive 
• What qualifications those employees currently have, or are working towards 
• If there are any gaps in their qualifications that may mean they do not meet the proposed professional qualifications 
• Training budgets. 
• Job specifications and job roles 
• Recruitment requirements for positions 

 

At the moment, it is also very unclear whether any funding will be provided for social housing providers to train staff up in order to gain these qualifications.  

If you have any questions about the expected changes, please do not hesitate to contact MSB Social Housing Employment Team.  

Law is correct as at 27th April 2023 

 

Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure that the law in this article is correct, it is intended to give a general overview of the law for educational purposes. You are respectfully reminded that it is not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice and should not be relied upon as legal advice. No liability is accepted for any error or omission contained herein.