TPAS secures training fund for tenants

TPAS has secured Government funding that allows it to offer a national tenant training programme free of charge to tenants.

The ‘Growing Together’ programme will offer 1,000 training places for tenants on scrutiny and co-regulation issues over the next six months. It will be delivered by TPAS in a unique partnership with TAROE and HouseMark.

The national programme is funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government’s Tenant Empowerment Grant, and is facilitated by the TSA.

There are three great courses on offer which will be available until the end of 2011:

•Preparing the Ground – giving tenants an overview of co-regulation;
•Sowing the Seeds - providing an introduction to tenant scrutiny;
•Reaping the Rewards – offering an advanced course in tenant scrutiny

The courses can be delivered at tenant and landlord venues, in public open-access courses, and larger ‘HotHouse’ workshops. Tenants also have the opportunity to take part in an ‘Introduction to Scrutiny’ e-learning course, accredited by the National Open College Network.

"The Government is committed to helping tenants play a bigger role in their communities. Tenants know that small changes that could make a big difference to their local community - they know the improvements that need to be made, and what local people want to see done,” said Housing Minister Grant Shapps.

"So I'm delighted that tenants across the country will be able to benefit from the high quality training that TPAS and its partners are offering. Using funding from the department, the 'Growing Together’ programme will enable more tenants to lead change and make a difference in their local community, by forming tenant panels, challenging landlords, and influencing the way services are provided."

TPAS’s head of training, Debbie Lucas, said: “As the social housing sector moves into a new era of co-regulation and tenant-led scrutiny, it’s vital that tenants have every possible opportunity to access high-quality training. We’re delighted that DCLG has recognised the importance of this training, and the value of using trusted providers to deliver it.

“TPAS has been at the forefront in empowering tenants for co-regulation and scrutiny, and we’re happy to be working with our partners TAROE and HouseMark to ensure that even more tenants can access these training opportunities across England.”

TAROE Chair, Michael Gelling, added: “The future well-being of tenants across the country is determined to a large extent by the skills they have in scrutiny and co-regulation so the Growing Together Programme is providing a really important service which we welcome.”

Assistant director of consultancy at Housemark, Carole Halfacre, said: “The unique mix of training, performance improvement and tenant empowerment expertise that the three organisations delivering the 'Growing Together' programme bring will ensure that those participating in the programme are really able to get to grips with what co regulation and scrutiny are all about.

“Understanding performance information and data and how to use it effectively plays a key part in building the confidence of tenants to challenge their landlords about how they are performing.”