Level 3 Certificate Housing Practice (CIH)

There are no formal entry requirements but you must demonstrate potential and a keenness to have the opportunity to gain the qualification. It would be beneficial to be working for a housing organisation, or to possess the drive to move into housing as a career in a front line capacity.

Student Membership to the CIH is included. Study excursions will be offered at an additional cost, however, these are optional, and are not essential to studying the programme.

You will attend an informal interview with the housing team. At this stage, you will be provided with further details about the programme and assessment, and we will answer any questions you may have.

This programme aims to:

• Provide you with the knowledge and skills required to operate effectively in a front line capacity in the housing sector.
• Prepare you to progress to a Level 4 qualification.

• The Housing System – you will learn how individuals can access the housing market, the role of the main providers of housing, the features of the housing market and how government intervenes in the housing system.
• Professional Practice Skills for Housing – you will develop the key skills, knowledge and behaviours required for the housing professional. This will include; ethics in the context of professional practice in housing; equality, diversity and inclusion in the context of professional practice; own professional performance and development.
• Occupancy, Tenure and Lettings – you will learn about the different types of occupancy and tenure and tenancy, and the different approaches to allocations and lettings.
• Safeguarding Adults with Care and Support Needs – you will develop and understanding of the legal and regulatory framework for safeguarding adults with care and support needs; the impact of the legal and regulatory framework for safeguarding adults with care and support needs on professional practice; and the role of partnership working in safeguarding adults.
• The Legal Framework for Housing - Understand the legal framework and the application of law to housing practice, how landlords and tenants can enforce their legal rights.
• Repairs and Maintenance in Housing Organisations - the legal obligations relating to repairs and maintenance, how organisations manage and deliver long term and cyclical maintenance, the methods landlords to manage their responsive repairs and maintenance service.
• Delivery of Housing Services - the main types of housing providers nationally and the services they deliver, the agencies that work with housing providers, regulation of housing providers, improving service delivery.
• Customer service – you will explore the role of customer service in housing, how to communicate effectively and understand the various needs and expectations of customers.

• Thursday -9am-1pm

Any times indicated are based on current courses and may be subject to change in future years. Full timetables will be confirmed at the start of each course.

A range of different teaching and learning approaches are used to make lessons interesting and interactive. You will take part in discussions to share good practice, and will have the opportunity to apply your learning to a real working environment.

You will be assessed using the following methods:

• Written assignments
• Creation of posters
• Production of magazine articles.

The housing team work very closely with housing organisations and practitioners to ensure the programme is current and reflects the needs of the industry. We have a close partnership with the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and also the Northern Housing Consortium. Some students will have the opportunity to display their work at the regional CIH conference.

There are no placement expectations on the programme, however, if you are not currently working in housing, contacting a regional employer and arranging a visit would be beneficial to your career.

Learners who succesfully complete this qualification will become eligible for certified practitioner membership of the CIH.

You could progress to FdA Housing and Communities at New College Durham, which is a 2 year course studied via day release.