Penarth Management Limited has worked with companies who specialise in providing social housing. Historically, the largest component of our work within the housing sector related to the implementation of quality management systems to meet the requirements of ISO9001.

We understand the challenges of carrying out planned new build or refurbishment projects in order to meet minimum housing quality standards (such as those required by the Welsh Quality Standard for Housing) and maintenance regimes whilst also dealing with the reactive calls being placed by tenants, who invariably expect a quick fix regardless of the actual nature of the fault they are logging (be it replacing missing roof tiles, a broken boiler or a more minor issue such as fixing a dripping tap).

As well as coping with a large volume of requests for housing maintenance, those calls have to be prioritised and allocated to relevant, skilled tradesmen; materials have to be purchased; instructions need to be properly communicated to the persons that will be undertaking the work (whom may be in-house staff or contractors). Not only do these factors have to be taken into account, but schedulers need to allow for the potential impact that may arise as a result of inclement weather conditions, which can easily create delays to a programme of works.

Once the work has been completed customer acceptance will then obtained in order to enable final invoicing to be completed.

At the same time as fulfilling tenants' requirements, there is an increasing demand for evidence of compliance with a formal Quality Management System that meets the requirements of ISO9001. For established housing organisations, the core processes have often been documented already, but it can help to have independent expertise in identifying exactly what exists across the whole of the organisation, and how best to ensure that the information is readily available in future.

Once the system has been implemented, larger housing organisations often prefer to maintain their management systems using internal resources. To help auditors to develop essential skills, we are able to provide internal quality auditor training, or for the more advanced, there is the QMS auditor / lead auditor course. (There may be cost savings if these courses are run for several delegates on an in-house basis. Contact training@penarth.co.uk for more information.)

Over time, organisations responsible for the provision of social housing have become increasingly aware of the importance of adhering to sound health and safety practices in order to safeguard the tenant, contractors and housing officers alike.

Much of the increased health and safety awareness has been driven by legislation such as the CDM Regulations. In response to the growing awareness of the need for effective management of contractors, we are able to offer a one day training course on the subject.

Many within the housing sector are becoming increasingly aware that they have previously undergone very little in the way of formal health and safety training, that there are gaps in their knowledge with regards to the minimum legal requirements that must be adhered to in order to provide a safe working environment. To this end, we have been appointed as approved training providers of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) to deliver a course on the Health and Safety for Maintenance and Housing Staff.

In order to ensure that there is a structured approach to health and safety, a formal occupational health and safety management system such as OHSAS18001 will prove beneficial. In addition to improving the efficiency to management of information, such a system also ensures that a formal evaluation of Legal Compliance is undertaken. This process can help an organisation to ensure that effort is directed to areas where legal compliance may otherwise have been compromised.

Environmental concerns are growing and we have assisted in the implementation of formal environmental management systems to meet the requirements of ISO14001.

Environmental issues on site mainly revolve around the need for effective waste management and management of contractors.

To find out how Penarth Management may be able to assist your housing organisation contact us at info@penarth.co.uk or give us a call on 029 2070 3328.