Hi, I’m Daryl McIntosh Chief Executive at Share.
I’m delighted to introduce you to Share, a trusted learning provider, and CIH approved centre, dedicated to the professional development of the housing sector for over 40 years.
We work with housing associations, co-operatives and community-led housing organisations to deliver a wide range of high-quality training programmes and qualifications to housing professionals and organisations, with flexible learning options that cater to busy schedules and learning preferences.
We understand the values that underpin co-operative and community-led housing, and the importance of investing in people, and we’re committed to helping co-operatives build skilled, capable and resilient teams that can continue to deliver excellent services for their communities.
Competence and Conduct Standard: more than just gaining a qualification
Applies to Registered Providers
It should come as no surprise to anyone in the housing sector that the Competence and Conduct Standard comes into force on 1 October 2026. For housing providers and organisations delivering housing management services, the expectation is clear: staff must have the professionalism, skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours needed to provide a good-quality service to tenants.
Understandably, much of the attention has focused on qualifications. Senior housing managers will need to hold, or be working towards, an appropriate Level 4 housing management qualification, while senior housing executives will require a Level 5 qualification or above.
Although transition periods will apply, the advice is simple: do not look for loopholes or wait until the deadline is looming. Start planning now and embrace the Standard as an opportunity to invest in your people and improve services.
Share can help CCH members meet these requirements through our CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing and CIH Level 5 Diploma in Housing AND at a discounted rate. Both qualifications are available on demand, so learners do not need to wait for a cohort to begin. They can start when they are ready and progress at their own pace, within reason, as assessments still need to be submitted and marked.
This flexibility should help organisations manage workloads and avoid having several people studying at the same time. Employers should, however, think carefully about protected study time. An on-demand qualification may be flexible, but it still requires commitment from the learner and proper support from their organisation.
There may be some resistance from those who have worked in housing for many years, but the requirement should not be viewed as questioning their experience or contribution. Instead, it is an opportunity to have that experience formally recognised, refresh existing knowledge and help ensure consistent professional standards across the sector.
As a learning and development organisation dedicated to the housing sector, Share’s support goes beyond access to a qualification. Those learners who may not have undertaken formal study for a long time and may understandably feel nervous about returning to learning will have tutor support available throughout, alongside additional eLearning modules that can strengthen wider housing knowledge and build confidence.
The qualification requirement is only one part of the Standard. Providers will also need to:
- maintain a written policy setting out how they manage and develop the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours of relevant staff;
- explain their approach to learning and development, staff appraisal and managing poor performance;
- adopt and embed an appropriate code of conduct; and
- give tenants meaningful opportunities to influence and scrutinise these arrangements.
Policies and Codes must be kept up to date, remain fit for purpose and be accessible to tenants. They cannot simply sit in an HR folder, never to be seen again. Organisations must show that their approach is understood, applied and reflected in service delivery.
Share is also exploring wider practical support for CCH members, including template learning and development policies and training agreements. These can provide a useful starting point, although each organisation will need to tailor them to reflect their own workforce and services.
Where an employer funds a qualification, training agreements are worth considering, staff, having completed a qualification become more valuable across the sector. Expectations around study time, costs and what happens if someone leaves during or shortly after completing the course should be clear from the outset.
Working alongside CCH and its members, Share intends to make meeting the Standard as practical, flexible and straightforward as possible.
Find out more about Share’s offer for CCH members here [login required].