1. Stepping Up to Scrutiny – in practice
TPAS Conference 2014
Ann Marie Stanley,
Scottish Government
Marian Reid, CIH Scotland

2. Setting the Scene Housing (Scotland) Act 2001
Statutory requirement for tenant participation strategies
Rights to be consulted on key areas of service and standards of service
Housing (Scotland) Act 2010
Scottish Social Housing Charter
Standards and outcomes
Self-assessment by landlords
Annual Return on the Charter (plus Annual Report)
Role of Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR)

3. Aim / Purpose of the Charter
Improve quality & value of services provided States what customers can expect from landlord Focus landlords on achieving outcomes that matter to their customers Establish basis for Regulator to assess & report on landlords performance

4. What should tenants expect?
To be consulted by the landlord & agree how they will be involved in the self assessment
Know what approach the landlord is taking to involve tenants in the self assessment
Have opportunities to be involved meaningfully / effectively in assessing their landlords performance & the collection of information on the ARC
Have opportunities to be part of regular & continuous performance monitoring

5. Stepping Up to Scrutiny
Commissioned by the Scottish Government
Three years housing organisations
Programme covers tenants, staff and Board
Key stages:
Background to scrutiny/understanding performance information
Preparation for scrutiny
Pilot scrutiny exercise
Debrief session

6. Support Charter Implementation
Longstanding Scottish Government commitment to support Charter implementation through a scrutiny learning programme
Tenant Scrutiny is new to Scotland and keen to support a consistent, quality approach to developing scrutiny activities in Scotland
Supports service improvement by giving tenants the knowledge to understand, question and compare how well their own landlord is performing
Keen to see landlords introduce regular and systematic scrutiny arrangements as part of their overall performance monitoring systems

7. Objectives include
Embedding a culture of scrutiny in organisation (including governance arrangements)
Empowering tenants – understanding scrutiny, able to give peer support
Strengthening connections - between scrutiny and performance management, vfm
Clarifying role and boundaries

8. Discussion point………. Where are you on the Participation Pyramid?
Control
Influence
Partnership
Consultation
Information giving

9. Scrutiny … some definitions
Dictionary: Critical observation or examination
CIH: where customers’ priorities, views and engagement with relevant processes are at the heart of housing organisations’ framework for directing, accounting for, monitoring, accessing and modifying their own behaviour and performance
Centre for Public Scrutiny: The activity by an elected or appointed organisation examining and monitoring a public sector body with the aim of improving the quality of public services

10. Scrutiny.. Not just Housing…

11. Understanding the Scrutiny Role
Participation = Day to Day
Scrutiny = independent, influence, impact…
Governance = Board

12. Coverage includes: Implications of Charter
Getting to grips with performance data
Supporting tenants in monitoring landlord performance
Understanding long-term trends & VFM
Role of Boards/councillors
How to involve other services users/customers
Action planning for scrutiny
Monitoring progress and moving forward

13. What this means in practice
Imparting knowledge and information
Improving skills
Enthusing participants!
Added value of potential qualification
- L3 Award in Tenant Scrutiny

14. Discussion points……
How are you currently involved as tenants/customers? How effective is this? What progress has your landlord made towards scrutiny?

15. Progress to date
Currently working with over 13 organisations across Scotland (with more in pipeline) Average 9 tenants, 13 staff and 11 Board per organisation Some challenges emerging – e.g. capacity of smaller RSLs, pilot scrutiny exercise Has your organisation/have you taken part?

16. Lessons so far…
Scrutiny works best where TP strategies are well established Tenants need support to get involved (and stay involved) Momentum needs to be maintained post-programme – have a plan!! Won’t answer all your questions - will generate discussion and new ones! Good practice points emerging

17. Moving forward………
What other support do tenants need to take part in scrutiny?
Any other points?
For further information contact:
Marian Reid, CIH Scotland
Tel: