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Acuity Free Webinar Series: RSH, DWP, Ombudsman, CIH, Oaks……

Welcome to our series of free webinars run during May 2020, exclusively for members, aimed at keeping you abreast of the present changes to the operating environment whilst also having an eye on what the future might hold as we pick our way out of the lockdown. Although we had to cancel our annual conference in April, we’re pleased to say our speakers were keen to contribute.

Each one-hour webinar includes a Question & Answer session at the end.

Recordings and resources from all webinars in the series

Update from the RSH

Jonathan Walters, Deputy Chief Executive, Regulator for Social Housing

How has the RSH flexed its approach to regulation? What are its expectations? What are the key issues housing associations need to be considering now? What does the future look like? This discussion took place on 7 May – click here to watch the recording >>

Universal Credit: an update from the DWP

Mark Poultney, Universal Credit Partnership Manager, Department for Work and Pensions

How is DWP responding to the demands placed upon it? What does it mean for new and existing claims? How can housing providers best work with DWP to smooth workflow at a fraught time?

Click here to see Mark’s presentation slides >>

Update from the Housing Ombudsman

Emma Foxall, Deputy Ombudsman, Housing Ombudsman Service

How has the Ombudsman flexed its approach to complaints cases? What are its expectations? What can we learn from the Ombudsman’s case load? How might the Ombudsman’s role change with forthcoming White Paper?

This discussion took place on 13 May – click here to watch the recording >>

Where we are and where we’re going: the view from CIH

Gavin Smart, CEO, Chartered Institute of Housing

An overview of the economic and policy environment for social housing. How has the sector responded to the Coronavirus crisis? What is the likely impact? What is the sector’s role and what should be the policy response going forward?

This webinar took place on 19 May – click here to watch the recording and download the slides

Community Investment: making your resources go further in a dynamic fundraising environment

Luke Southall, MD and Rahul Bissoonauth, Director of Business Development, Oaks (part of the Aquila Group)

Luke and Rahul provide a masterclass in community investment and fundraising. Exploring the most effective strategies and how best to utilise your skills, resources and time. The session identifies opportunities to generate additional income for your community activity, ranging from securing grants and corporate partners to managing fundraising campaigns and procuring new suppliers.

This webinar took place on 21 May 2020 – click here to watch the recording

 

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Acuity SPBM smaller housing associations conference, Thursday 23 April 2020

The Acuity SPBM conference for 2020 is cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. We are delighted, however that our speakers will instead be running a series of one-hour webinars in May, so you will still get the chance to hear from them and out questions to them in the Q&A.  The register for these webinars please click here.

Click here to register for the webinars  >>

The programme

All the sessions will seek to make sense of the operating environment and its implications from a smaller housing association perspective:

  • The latest on housing policy, political and economic landscape and regulatory direction of travel from the CIH and Regulator of Social Housing
  • Getting it right when things go wrong from the Housing Ombudsman Service
  • repeated breakout sessions mean you can choose two from four options:
    • Realising smaller housing associations’ development potential
    • Satisfaction surveys: are you up to date?
    • VFM compliance: getting it right
    • Community investment: making your resources go further

There will be ample opportunity to network with colleagues over lunch and at the break.

In the interests of open exchange and transparency, the event will operate in accordance with the Chatham House rule.
Click here to download the programme  >>

Speakers confirmed

Click here to book  >>

  • Jonathan Walters, Deputy CEO, Regulator for Social Housing
  • Emma Foxall, Deputy Ombudsman, Housing Ombudsman Service
  • Senior Policy Speaker, CIH
  • Sarah Finnegan, Head of Member Relations and Lawrence Morris, Policy Officer, NHF
  • Robin Roberts, CEO, Sutton Housing Society
  • Denise Raine, Director, Acuity
  • Steve Smedley, Associate Director, Acuity
  • Luke Southall, MD, Oaks (part of the Aquila group)
  • Rahul Bissoonauth, Director of Business Development, Oaks

Chair

  • Martin Collet, CEO, English Rural

Who should attend?

This event is targeted at those who lead smaller housing associations: Board and executive officers

Cost

With VFM in mind we’re keeping costs down compared to similar events whilst not compromising on quality:

  • SPBM members £230 plus VAT (early bird £210 on bookings received before 6 March 2020)
  • Non-members £265 plus VAT (early bird £240 on bookings received before 6 March 2020)
  • Additional places from the same organisation £30 discount

Date & time: Thursday 23 April 2020. 9:45 am Registration; 10:15 am Start; 15:40 – 15:50 pm Close

Venue: National Council For Voluntary Organisations, 8 All Saints St, London N1 9RL (Kings Cross)

 

 

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SPBM conference – making sense of a challenging environment

The Acuity SPBM conference explores the horizon from a smaller housing association perspective so that you are in the best possible position to respond positively to the challenges.

Click here to book  >>

The programme

All the sessions will seek to make sense of the operating environment and its implications from a smaller housing association perspective:

  • building an organisation your customers will love
  • the latest on housing policy from the CIH and regulatory developments from the Regulator of Social Housing
  • repeated breakout sessions mean you can choose two from four options:
    • what does robust risk management look like for smaller associations?
    • the benefits of implementing a values-driven culture
    • making satisfaction surveys fit for the future
    • diversity and growth

For the draft programme click here >>

There will be ample opportunity to network with colleagues over lunch and at the break.

In the interests of open exchange and transparency, the event will operate in accordance with the Chatham House rule.

Chair

Clare Norton, CEO, Peter Bedford Housing Association

Speakers confirmed so far

Click here to book  >>

  • Oke Eleazu, Chief Operating Officer, Bought By Many and Bromford Group Board Member
  • Gavin Smart, Deputy Chief Executive, CIH
  • Chris Meskill, Head of Small Providers, Regulator for Social Housing
  • Andy Roskell, Managing Director, DTP
  • Denise Raine, Director, Acuity
  • Anne Taylor, CEO, Thorngate Living
  • Nick Chambers, Chief Executive, LACE
  • David Chaffey, Director of Housing & Property, BHT

Who should attend?

This event is targeted at those who lead smaller housing associations: Board and executive

Cost

With VFM in mind we’re keeping costs down compared to similar events whilst not compromising on quality:

  • SPBM members £205 plus VAT
  • Non-members £240 plus VAT
  • Additional places from the same organisation £30 discount

Date & time: 9:30 – 15:45, Thursday 25 April 2019

Venue: National Council For Voluntary Organisations, 8 All Saints St, London N1 9RL (Kings Cross)

Click here to book  >>

 

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New VFM Standard: demystifying requirements & implications – Workshops 2018

The regulator’s new approach to VFM is operative now!:

  • a new standard, accompanied by a comprehensive Code of Practice (COP)
  • VFM performance will be measured against your own strategic VFM targets and a set of regulatory metrics reported in the accounts instead of the self-assessment

The revised approach to reporting aims to make boards more accountable for VFM by requiring them to set and then achieve their targets.

There’s not much time before final accounts are signed off – associations need to quickly understand how they may comply with the new requirements.

Aim

To provide delegates with the tools and information to understand and comply with the new requirements. Coverage:

  • clarity on expectations and consideration of the implications
  • how the regulatory, Scorecard and Acuity SPBM metrics fit together
  • reporting regulatory metrics and strategic targets in the accounts: what might it look like?
  • where might VFM be going?
  • challenge personal thinking through debate
  • opportunity to network with peers

Format

This is an informal half-day workshop with lunch. Registration and refreshments at 9:30 am for a 10 am start. Networking lunch at 12:30 pm.

Steve Smedley has specialised in VFM since the noughties and has been running VFM workshops and projects with SPBM members since 2013. He has also written a number of publications for HouseMark, NHF, CIH and CHC on this subject over the past 12 years and has a close working relationship with the regulator.

Who should attend

Those responsible for reporting VFM in the accounts, regulatory compliance, appraising the board and ensuring VFM is embedded in the business.

Feedback from previous VFM workshops

  • Delegates gave an overall rating of more than 4.5 out of 5 for these workshops.
  • On average they gave a rating of 4.5 out of 5 for both the content and delivery of the workshops.

Cost

  • SPBM members £135 plus VAT (early bird)
  • SPBM members £145 plus VAT
  • Non-members £185 plus VAT
  • additional places £15 discount

Dates & venues

23 May 2018: 9:30 – 12:30, University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HU

4 June 2018: 9:30 – 12:30, Adullam Homes, 34 Dudley Street, West Bromwich, B70 9LS

8 June 2018: 9:30 – 12:30, People First Housing, 1 City Road, City Road East, Manchester, M15 4PN

Click here to book >> 

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COntinuous REcording of lettings & sales in Social Housing

Acuity will run these two CORE workshops next in November/December 2019 at Senate House, University of London, Russell Square, London WC1E 7HU.

Dates are yet to be confirmed – please contact us if you would like to be notified of future dates.

Introduction/Refresher – morning session – £125

For those new to CORE or staff who wish to refresh their knowledge of the system – this session is not computer-based however participants may bring their laptop and CORE log-in password if they would find it helpful

  • Background to CORE – why the information is collected and what it is used for
  • Best practice in the collection of CORE data
  • Terminology
  • The type of lettings that require completion of a CORE log
  • The purpose of Management Group Schemes
  • Step-by-step guide to completing the lettings log
  • Demonstration of the CORE online submission system
  • Questions and answers

Using and managing the CORE system online – afternoon session – £145

For CORE Co-ordinators, Team Leaders, Managers, Policy & Research staff – this session will be mainly computer-based and participants will need to bring their CORE log-in passwords

  • Background to CORE
  • Illustrations of the use of CORE data
  • The questions data providers find the most common difficult to answer
  • The role of the Administrator/Co-ordinator(s)
  • Navigating around the CORE website
  • Using CORE data in-house

These are 3 hour workshops running from 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

If you wish to discuss the course content prior to booking please contact Heather Metivier on 01273 287114.

Date: TBC 2019,

Morning session: 10:00 – 13:00

Afternoon session: 13:30 – 16:30

Venue: Senate House, University of London, Russell Square, London WC1E 7HU

Cost (morning session): £125 (+VAT)

Cost (afternoon session): £145 (+VAT)

Click here to book >>

For booking enquiries please contact Heather Metivier heather.metivier@arap.co.uk or 01273 287114

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Repairs Reporting for non-technical staff

A one day workshop for housing professionals in non-technical roles to improve their knowledge of repairs diagnostics; equipping staff with key knowledge to be effective in their role

Learning Outcomes :

The workshop will cover:

  • Naming and recognising structural and service elements in a house
  • Knowing the jargon – how to use a guide to understand trades such as heating, plumbing and joinery
  • How to diagnose repairs using a step by step method
  • Asking the right questions for an effective repair specification

Who should attend

All housing professionals who need a working knowledge of repairs diagnostics

Date: Tuesday 10th April 2018,

Time: 10:00 – 16:00

Venue: Waltham Forest HA, 31 Church Hill, Walthamstow, London E17 3RU

Trainer: Nitin Parmar

Cost: £135 (+VAT)

Click here to book >>

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Repairs Law for Surveyors & Technical Staff

This half-day workshop examines how landlords can minimise the risk and costs of managing their repairing obligations and legislatory and statutory controls.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the session you will have:

  • Understood the landlord’s responsibilities in respect of repairing obligations
  • Understood the difference between improvements and major repairs
  • Assessed the consequences of non-compliance with repairing requirements and defence
  • Explored other aspects which relate to disrepair
  • Assessed the importance of content in tenancy agreements and tenant handbooks in relation to repair responsibilities

Date: Tuesday 6th March 2018

Time: 10:00 – 13:00

Trainer: Nitin Parmar

Venue: Waltham Forest HA, 31 Church Hill, Walthamstow, London E17 3RU

Cost: £95 (+VAT)

Click here to book >> 

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GDPR: Data Protectionn at Work

Aims

To provide key knowledge and a practical understanding of data protection and the General Data Protection Regulation 2016. We will follow a timeline in the development of data protection, supported by real life case studies to provide you with a handy list of do’s and don’ts.

This one day course provides Housing Association staff with key knowledge and a practical understanding of data protection focusing on the existing UK Data Protection Act 1998 and the new legal framework in the EU – General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018 which came into force on 25 May 2018.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the session you will have:

  • Explored the 4 dimensions of confidentiality, the 8 principles of data protection and the 7 rights of data subjects
  • Discussed the consent standards in dealing with general and sensitive personal data in preparation for GDPR requirements
  • Gained knowledge of exemptions, processing conditions, storage and sharing of data
  • Gained an insight into 10 changes and preparing for GDPR in 12 easy steps
  • Outlined do’s and don’ts of best practice

Who should attend?

This course is for staff responsible for handling or managing personal information.

Dates

Wednesday 30 March

Click here to book >> 

Cost

£295 per person

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Housing Law Update

Aim

To provide an update on recent statute and housing case law and the implications for tenancy management

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the session you will have :

  • Revisited security of tenure and the implications of recent changes in law
  • Explored changes to law covering tenancies, anti-social behaviour, succession, squatting, subletting and relevant case law
  • Updates from the Supreme Court
  • The implications for tenancy management and future changes

Who should attend

Board members, Chief Executives and any staff who need a refresher in recent housing law.

Date: Tuesday 6th March 2018

Time: 14:00 – 17:00

Venue: Waltham Forest HA, 31 Church Hill, Walthamstow, London E17 3RU

Trainer: Nitin Parmar

Cost: £95 (+VAT)

Click here to book >> 

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Housing finance & business planning

This one-day course provides an understanding of finance and business planning relating to social housing

  • Business plans setting the context for housing association finances
  • Financial management covering capital and revenue expenditure
  • Effective monitoring systems encompassing borrowing covenants and management accounts
  • Understanding the three main accounting statements
  • Manipulating accounting data: what to look for
  • Review of the financial aspects of governance in the sector
  • Project risk analysis and risk mitigation
  • Business plans and finances – capital or revenue?
  • HA sector funding
  • Managing HA’s interest rate cost and risk
  • Controls and systems.
  • Maintaining financial viability.

Who should attend

Board members, Chief Executives, Company Secretaries, other senior staff.

Date & time: Tuesday 20 February 2018

Venue: Waltham Forest HA: 31 Church Hill, Walthamstow, London E17 3RU

 

Click here to book >> 

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