The stereotyping of social housing and the people who live in it is still a major cause of stigma in the UK. Recent reports such as the Social Housing Green and White Papers have provided tenants’ accounts of the disrespectful and dismissive treatment experienced from their landlords. The impact of the language and behaviour of housing professionals was also highlighted in a survey by See the Person, in addition to how landlord services are designed and delivered.

Often, we don’t deliberately aim to stigmatise or stereotype others – however, language, attitudes and behaviours can inadvertently add to the negative experiences of residents. We must consider our own actions whilst also challenging the media and government to avoid negative stereotyping.

As we move forward and new rules come into effect by the Regulator of Social Housing, there will be clear expectation that you will have a relationship with your tenants based on transparency, fairness and respect – positive language, attitudes and behaviours are an important part of this. 

The course will be very practical, using a mixture of online training, scenarios, breakouts and activities.

In this training, you’ll explore:

• What is stigma?
• What is a stereotype?
• Stigma and social housing
• The current operating environment
• Unconscious bias
• The impact of stigma and stereotyping
• Challenging stigma
• Reducing stigma
• Government
• Media
• Housing providers
• Housing professionals
• Being an advocate for the profession
• Working with residents to develop mutual respect and understanding
• Professional standards for housing

By the end of this training, you will have:

• Build an understanding of the impact of stigma and stereotyping
• Understand the impact of language, behaviour, and conduct
• Have the ability, and understand the most appropriate way, to challenge others who contribute to the stigma and stereotyping of social housing
• Be able to recognise and avoid stigmatising language and behaviour
• Develop techniques to be an advocate for the profession
• Have the building blocks to develop a positive culture that encourages trust, respect and transparency
• Be ahead of the game ready for the new regulatory regime for social housing.

This session is relevant for everyone, whatever your job role or position, who works with residents and wants to tackle and challenge stigma and stereotyping

It is essential for:

• Heads of service and managers
• Housing officers
• Resident engagement staff
• Repairs staff

Here at CIH, we want to provide everyone in housing with the skills and knowledge needed to keep up with the ever-changing environment. Our online training has been developed by expert professionals on critical topics and allows you to apply the learning to your day job.

By attending this training you will:

• Support your professional development
• Provide you with skills to listen, engage and build trust with residents
• Support self-reflection
• Links with CIH professional standards

Debbie has worked in the social housing sector for over 30 years within both local authorities and housing associations before moving on to join the professional body – the CIH – where she was Head of Practice with a key focus on translating government policy into practice.

In that role she developed expertise in a number of areas including housing and asset management, resident engagement, equality diversity and inclusion, health and safety (specifically building safety post Grenfell). She has also co-led research into the future of social housing, stigma and stereotyping in housing and the role of the housing professional.

Debbie is recognised as a leader in developing and embedding professional standards with sector bodies and individual organisations and developed the CIH professional standards for housing and, as part of this work has a strong interest in how organisations can develop strong values-led cultures, create inclusive behaviours and act as ambassadors for the profession. Debbie is an experienced public speaker, chair, and trainer.