HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS
HOUSING ASSOCIATIONSWe are currently providing three levels of training for officers and members of Housing Associations. The first is aimed at officers who will be using the HHSRS in practice, but who have received no training on the subject. Typically these would include maintenance surveyors, asset managers and other staff who need to understand the implications of the rating system and how to apply it in practice. These courses run over one day and will enable delegates to:
- Understand the background to the HHSRS and why it replaced the Fitness Standard
- Understand the implications for meeting the Decent Homes Standard
- Appreciate the principles which underpin the system and the threats to Health and Safety it is intended to identify and measure
- Recognise the hazards as detailed in the HHSRS Operating Guidance and understand the use of the guidance in practice as an operating manual and reference
- Identify deficiencies, relate them to hazards and take the risk assessment process through to calculating hazard scores
- Gain knowledge and experience of the use of the system through practical exercises and group discussions
- Raise queries and receive guidance from the trainers
The second training level is an extension of the one day course to two days (3 – 4 weeks apart) to enhance the delegates’ degree of knowledge and understanding, Between the two training days, delegates would be expected to carry out an HHSRS assessment of a dwelling and submit this work for marking. The second training day is used to review submitted assessments, focusing on any issues identified and allows for the discussion of the use of the system in more detail. Delegates demonstrating a satisfactory level of understanding will receive certification as to competence in the use of the system.
The third level of training is the provision of a half-day course (4 hours) aimed at senior management, executives and board members, which will enable delegates to:
- Understand the background to the HHSRS and why it replaced the Fitness Standard
- Appreciate the principles which underpin the system and the threats to Health and Safety it is intended to identify and measure
- Understand the implications HHSRS will have on the Decent Homes Standard
- Assess their stock for hazards, including the use of stock condition surveys and field staff inspections
- Have an overview of the local authority enforcement regime
