Launch of new CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing Management and Service Delivery

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has launched a new level 4 qualification, further expanding the suite of level 4 qualification options open to senior housing professionals preparing for the Regulator of Social Housing’s forthcoming Competence and Conduct Standard.

The new qualification – CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing Management and Service Delivery – sits alongside the newly launched level 4 and 5 top up units, the traditional CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing and the CIH Level 4 Certificate in Managing Housing Maintenance.

Developed for senior-level professionals, the new level 4 qualification is aimed at individuals already working in housing or related fields, who hold extensive existing professional experience or prior learning, and now need to formalise their competence with a regulated qualification.

Sarah Dunkerley, CIH's director of membership and professional development commented, “I’m delighted CIH has been able to develop this qualification, responding to what our members and the sector have asked for.”

“This addition to our level 4 suite of qualifications has been designed for those housing professionals who have developed their expertise through working in the sector for a significant part of their career. They may have used their experience to gain related qualifications or to progress to CIH chartered membership, but don’t currently hold a specific housing management qualification. It is also for those who achieved a housing management qualification before the currently regulatory framework for qualifications was put in place.”

Gavin Smart, chief executive at CIH added “As the professional body for people who work in housing CIH is dedicated to supporting our members and the sector in preparing to meet the requirements that we expect will be set out in the Competence and Conduct Standard. 

“This new qualification adds to CIH’s existing and comprehensive range of qualifications which alongside our membership services, knowledge resources and training provide the tools needed to help individuals and organisations demonstrate their commitment to excellence and professionalism.”

The new qualification, regulated by Ofqual, is currently in a pilot phase with a controlled group of approved study centres. You can find out more about the qualification, entry criteria and approved study centres on CIH’s website:

• CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing Management and Service Delivery

All CIH level 4 qualifications are at the same level of learning as the first year of undergraduate study and support progression to the CIH Level 5 Diploma in Housing and eventual CIH chartered membership (CIHCM).