- 9 June 2026
Read time: 5 minutes
Summary: Asantewaa Brenya is the Executive Director of Governance, Risk and Performance at Ocean Housing. In this comment blog she discusses upcoming regulatory changes in the social housing sector, implications for governance professionals, and what they can do to stay ahead, informed and aligned.
In October this year, the social housing sector will implement the new Competency and Conduct Standard. The aim is for social housing tenants to enjoy more positive interactions with those who deliver housing management services, from housing advice and general needs assessments right through to tenancy sustainment.
What should social housing providers be aware of? By building on the new Consumer Regulation Regime with enhanced enforcement powers through the introduction of Awaab’s Law and the Tenant Satisfaction Measures, it is clear the Regulator is set on creating firm guidelines about what acceptable housing services look like. The Competency and Conduct Standard will further seek to codify the behaviours and ethical expectations required of those working in social housing, creating a consistent framework for service delivery across the sector.
It is hoped that this Standard will go some way to preventing the failures seen across the sector in recent years. While these events were not caused by a lack of care from social housing providers, gaps in their processes, systems and accountability are seen to be contributing factors, and from the Regulators' perspective, these gaps could have been significantly reduced if relevant staff had the knowledge, skills, and experiences required to identify issues before they became a risk to the welfare of residents.
Professionalisation of social housing is not just the responsibility of those delivering “frontline services”. The complex legal and regulatory framework social housing providers work within requires skilled and experienced staff across the organisation, not least skilled governance professionals capable of navigating the complexities of legal, statutory, and regulatory requirements and providing practical solutions to help their organisations achieve compliance. Key changes will require registered social housing providers with more than 1,000 properties to ensure all staff (including contractors) have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to provide quality services to residents.
What does this mean for governance professionals of social housing providers?
While the Standard is focused on those “individuals providing services connected with the management of social housing”, its impact will be broader. As elements of the Standard relate to organisational culture, executive teams and the board need to have a comprehensive understanding of the Standard and put in place effective mechanisms to monitor how their organisational culture for service complies.
How can governance professionals in social housing prepare?
Social housing requires skilled governance professionals capable of navigating legal and regulatory complexities and providing practical solutions to help their organisations achieve compliance. This is especially important as social housing boards manage regulator challenges, effective service delivery, culture and transparency, and partnership working. The effectiveness of boards to operate successfully in this environment is largely dependent on the effective governance processes and procedures the organisation puts in place and the competence of individuals in governance roles.
To support governance professionals in social housing, the Chartered Governance Institute introduced the Level 4 Certificate in Social Housing Governance. This is the first ever qualification by CGI to support professionals in the sector. It sets a baseline for governance knowledge and skills in social housing and is equivalent to the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Certificate, which focuses on housing policy. This qualification equips governance staff with core skills and competencies through structured learning that builds technical knowledge, transferable skills and confidence.
How can the Certificate in Social Housing address the knowledge gap?
The Certificate in Social Housing qualification is designed for those with limited or no formal qualifications in governance. Through blended learning, students work at their own pace. The study text contains self-assessments, multiple-choice questions and case studies designed to help students use their knowledge to address governance concerns. Webinars are delivered throughout the course, creating an opportunity for students to discuss issues, share ideas, and learn from other students and a moderated forum.
Focused on supporting governance professionals to perform effectively in their roles, the qualification explores the legal, regulatory, governance and compliance framework for the sector.
The course covers:
- Governance principles
- Constitutional models and the importance of governing documents
- Risk management frameworks
- Assurance mapping
- Roles and responsibilities
- Resident engagement modules
The course also provides helpful guidance and tips on governance administration and managing difficult situations and difficult conversations, which governance professionals frequently face in their everyday work to support organisations in achieving compliance.
Primarily developed for England and Wales regulatory, it provides an overview of the framework used by the Home Nations, including the recently updated framework in Wales. The qualification also offers an overview of governance frameworks and codes, including the UK Corporate Governance Code and international codes, helping students understand principles, intended outcomes, and stakeholder interests, which is particularly relevant as registered providers diversify partnership models.
Equally, the sector-specific elements of the course help students to understand the social and political context which led to the need for large-scale social housing developments, so they gain an understanding of the pivotal role social housing plays in our society and quality of life. This context is important as it helps governance professionals understand the fundamental purpose of social housing.
Want to complete the Level 4 Certificate in Social Housing? Find out more.