New accredited qualification piloted for homelessness sector

In the wake of the Kerslake Commission, a new accredited qualification is being piloted for the homelessness sector, with the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and Homeless Link welcoming the first learners last week.

Taken over 20 weeks, the new Level 3 qualification in Supporting Homeless People aims to give frontline staff the skills to practically support someone who is experiencing homelessness or is at risk of homelessness.

The pilot comes after the cross party Kerslake Commission into rough sleeping recommended that Homeless Link should convene a consultation on professional accreditation for frontline homelessness workers, stating that it is essential that staff have the skills needed to support vulnerable people with complex needs.

Homeless Link will be delivering the sessions that make up the qualification, and CIH will be acting as the registered centre, providing assessment and feedback to learners.

Ricky Henderson, CEO at Homeless Link, said: ‘The recent Kerslake Commission report highlighted the skilled work that staff and volunteers in the homelessness sector do every day and the potential need for professional accreditation. With our members reporting that they are struggling to recruit, we have already seen the growing evidence of the need for formal qualification to ensure new staff have the knowledge and skills to best support every individual experiencing homelessness. We were delighted to create this pilot with CIH to explore how this accreditation may work in practice.

‘We hope this qualification will enable services to ensure a high standard and consistency in the support people experiencing homelessness receive across the country. This partnership exemplifies the collaboration we strive for, and we’re excited to work with CIH, with their experience of professional standards, to respond to the needs of our members and the wider sector.’

Sarah Dunkerley, director of professional development at CIH, added: ‘We’re extremely excited to be working with Homeless Link to deliver this qualification, and hopefully, if the pilot is successful, we will be able to open this up to the wider housing and homelessness sector.

‘Completing a qualification is a fantastic way of establishing yourself as a professional, ensuring you have the theoretical knowledge, key skills and learning to perform your day job at the highest level. By partnering with Homeless Link, the content in this qualification will be relevant, up-to-date and provide learners with the understanding to support people experiencing homelessness.’

In related news, a five-year strategy to tackle homelessness in Oldham is due to be approved by the Council’s cabinet committee tonight.

Photo by Christin Hume