TIS holds highly acclaimed housing staff conference

The Big ConversationAs part of the national TIS Scrutiny ‘Making It Happen’ programme, over 50 local authority and housing association staff from across Scotland gathered at Norton House Hotel last week for the highly rated ‘The Big Conversation’ Housing Staff ResidentialConference.

With the programme being set by staff involved in tenant participation and scrutiny, the event is the most valuable, topical and bespoke of its kind in the social housing sector in Scotland.

Laura Strang, corporate services manager at Glen Oaks Housing Association, said: “A great conference, with lots of food for thought and a perfect opportunity to network and share best practice with likeminded people, in an informal way. I am looking forward to the next one already.”

The pioneering programme allowed delegates to:

  • Review the Scottish Social Housing Charter – is it making a difference?
  • Explore the Community Empowerment Bill – what this means for housing organisations?
  • Take part in a conversation café to share good practice
  • Explore a range of initiatives to involve tenants in policy and service reviews such as allocations
  • Identify techniques to encourage and sustain tenant involvement
  • Raise awareness about innovative approaches to Scrutiny
  • Share good practice about involving tenants in Value for Money reviews, rent setting and housing finance
  • Gain key tips and hints for writing your Scrutiny and Tenant Participation reports
  • Meet other landlord staff with Scrutiny or Tenant Participation responsibilities
  • Determine the future direction on this key priority on the Scottish housing agenda.
  • Feedback from delegates included:

    “Loved being a diner at the Conversation Café – great menu and full of new ideas” – Carol Hannaford, tenant and community engagement officer, Aberdeen City Council

    “A perfect balance of formal and informal networking with motivated people which raises this event any other” – Ian MacPherson, community participation and engagement officer, Cunninghame Housing Association

    The presentations from the event are now in the members-only area of the TIS website, at www.tis.org.uk. As a member of TIS, you will have access to this area as well as discounted rates for the TIS Scrutiny ‘Making it Happen’ Programme. If you are interested in joining TIS, or finding out more about the national TIS Scrutiny Programme please contact Leanne Thomas on 0141 248 1242 or info@tis.org.uk.

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