01/02/2010 : BHP run Resident Inspectors Course
Brent Housing Partnership's (BHP) Neighbourhood Services Team (NST) organised a Resident Quality Inspector Training course accredited by the Chartered Institute of Housing. The Induction Day took place on 26th January. Residents who successfully complete the course will be awarded a level two certificate in Housing, equivalent to a standard GCSE.
The course is a partnership between several ALMOs and RSLs including Barnet Homes, Ealing Homes, Origin Housing Group, Stadium Housing and Metropolitan Housing Trust.
These housing providers are funding some of their own residents to attend the training and become resident inspectors. This is the first time that residents from all these different social landlord groups have come together to share experiences and information.
Once qualified, Resident Quality Inspectors can carry out planned and structured inspections of specific aspects of services provided by landlords such as:
- Estates and neighbourhoods
- communal areas
- void properties
- repairs
- gas maintenance
- major improvements.
Following the completion of this course, residents can assist BHP and other registers social landlord staff with the inspection of services such as repairs services, communal inspections and complaints. There will also be opportunities for residents to work with other housing providers to inspect their services.
Christina Byrne, Manager of the Neighbourhood Services Team said:
"This course is a great example of partnership working, particularly as we are all looking to achieve the same goal - to empower our resident and have them at the heart of our services. It is very important that we hear from residents who experience first-hand the service we provide and with their feedback and involvement will enable us to provide an even better service to them and other residents. This accredited course will also build upon the skills our residents currently have and enable them to develop further in the housing field."
Quotes from residents
Sheila Perry: Chair of the Groves Residents' Association said:
"I thought the course was great, I left with a very positive vibe. It's very hands on and you get to understand more about how your landlord operates. It is also a good opportunity to inspect other RSLs and ALMOs and to provide constructive feedback to one another."
Dean Nobes: Resident of Barnet Homes said:
"I felt very empowered by this course. It is great to know how the system works, I found it incredibly interesting."
Laverne Clarke, Resident of Stadium Housing said:
"I come from a medical background and this is a completely new environment for me. I'm not familiar with how housing works, but I found this course to be very good for me. It enables me to learn about what is happening in my own home first and use this as a starting point to work with the wider community."
Abdirahman Mohamed, Resident of Ealing Homes said:
"I am interested in getting more involved in housing and want to eventually change my career path and work within the housing sector. This course is a good starting point for this."