The Social Housing Round Table

What Does it Mean to Be Competent and Qualified in Housing?

This week’s Round Table tackled a deceptively simple question: what does it really mean to be competent and qualified in social housing?
Led by Samantha Whenman, this session sparked honest debate about skills, standards, assumptions and accountability across the sector. With over 60 attendees, the conversation highlighted just how complex and overdue this discussion is.
From formal qualifications to lived experience, and from regulatory frameworks to on-the-ground realities, this session asked the sector to reflect on what it values, and how that translates into practice.
Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

Understanding Young People's Experience Working in Social Housing

This week’s Round Table focused on a vital question for the future of the sector: how are young people experiencing careers in social housing today?
Led by Meghan Rank and members of CIH Futures, this powerful session explored early career journeys, the structural barriers many face and what the sector must do to retain and support younger professionals.
You’ll also hear about the CIH Futures survey currently live - created to give voice to those under 35 working in housing and inform action on issues like progression, recognition, burnout and inclusivity.
A must-listen for anyone thinking seriously about the future of the workforce.
Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

Delivering Transformational Change through Outstanding Customer and Stakeholder Engagement

In this special leadership-focused episode of The Social Housing Round Table, sponsored by Alertacall, we were joined by Evie Copeland, Director of Customers and Communities at Berwickshire Housing Association.
Evie brought honesty, experience and ambition to a wide-ranging discussion on transformational change through outstanding customer and stakeholder engagement. She shared what’s worked, what’s been hard and what it really takes to lead change from within.
Key discussion points included:– The barriers to real engagement in a sector under pressure– Lessons from Berwickshire’s approach to culture and communication– How senior leaders can create space for trust, feedback and experimentation
This conversation is essential listening.
Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

CIH Vice President Nominee Special

This week’s Round Table gave space to an important moment in the social housing calendar: the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Vice-Presidential election.
Five candidates — Evie Copeland, Thomas Sutton, Katrina Henshaw, Paul Smith and Hony Premlal — joined Matt Baird for an open conversation about their vision, motivations and hopes for the future of the sector.
Expect:– Honest reflections on lived and professional experience– A range of perspectives– A shared belief in collaboration, equity and accountability
This was an unusually open forum for a leadership discussion — one where everyone got a voice.
Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

What if an ASB Case isn't ASB?

In this ASB Awareness Week special, the Social Housing Round Table welcomed Sharon Murphy and Jack Madge from Green & Burton ASB Associates to explore one of the most debated questions in the sector:
What if an ASB case isn't ASB?
With over 115 attendees from across the sector, the conversation tackled:– How we define anti-social behaviour– The difference between criminality, nuisance and neighbour disputes– Why victim-centred approaches and partnership working are essential– And where accountability begins and ends
It was a thoughtful, challenging and highly relevant discussion that underlined the importance of compassion, clarity and collaboration in responding to complex cases.
Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

Driving Change Through Resident Voices

What does it look like when a housing provider fully commits to listening, reflecting and responding to feedback—not just in principle, but in practice?
In this episode, Joe Williams from Settle joins Matt Baird to share an honest and refreshingly open account of their approach to feedback, culture change and continual improvement. Joe doesn’t gloss over what’s gone wrong. Instead, he shares the real journey: from discomfort and pushback to meaningful progress.
Expect thoughtful insights on:– What it takes to build a feedback-led culture– Why accountability must be shared, not siloed– How resident voice is shaping real change at Settle
This is one of the most reflective and constructive conversations we’ve had, tune in today!
Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

Inquests in Social Housing: What you Need to Know

This week’s Social Housing Round Table sponsored by Devonshires focused on a sensitive but essential topic: inquests.
Joined by Samantha Grix and Charlotte Greatorex of Devonshires, the session shed light on what happens when a resident dies, what landlords can expect from the inquest process, and how responsibility is examined and understood.
Key themes included:– When and how landlords are held accountable– The role of evidence, communication, and context– The emotional and legal expectations of families, staff, coroners and the Ombudsman
A rare and necessary conversation that every provider should hear.
Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

Beyond the Surface: The Real Cost of Damp and Mould

In this episode of The Social Housing Round Table, James Green of Breathe Pure joins Matt Baird to shine a light on one of the sector’s most urgent and frustrating issues: damp and mould.
With honesty and urgency, James challenges the sector’s complacency, calling out the gap between intent and action five years after the tragic death of Awaab Ishak.
The session explores:– The real human cost of poor living conditions– Whether the sector has the willingness to act– What needs to change now to prevent further tragedy
An unfiltered, emotional conversation that cuts through excuses and calls for real accountability.
Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

Does Social Housing Have a Willingness to Change?

In this week’s powerful episode of The Social Housing Round Table, Elaine Middleton led a frank and impassioned discussion around the sector’s willingness—or reluctance—to change.
Drawing on insights from both social and private housing, Elaine made the case that if the sector continues to resist evolution, it risks a catastrophic collapse. From resident voice and trust, to structural rigidity and decision-making, nothing was off the table.
Expect passionate contributions, uncomfortable truths, and a call to action for leaders across housing to stop talking and start doing.
Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

Are complaints scores in TSMs accurate? With Chris Holloway, Greatwell Homes

Chris Holloway of Greatwell Homes joins us this week to discuss TSMs, complaints and accuracy.
Are the TSM scores accurate? What constitutes a good service score? And how can we improve this all through collaboration?