The new Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing in England takes effect on 1 October 2026. It is broad enough to include commercial competencies such as contract management. These competencies apply where they are relevant to a person’s role.
The important point is that the Standard is not simply a requirement for housing qualifications. Furthermore, registered providers must ensure that staff possess the necessary skills, knowledge and experience. They must display the behaviours needed to deliver good-quality housing services. They must write a policy that explains how they will manage and develop those competencies.
That creates a significant commercial-management dimension. For example, someone responsible for repairs, maintenance, asset management, facilities management, development, outsourced services or major works may need competence in areas such as
Contract management and supplier performance management, which is covered by the DPSS 2 day WCC certified Contract Management Course.
The standard also requires registered providers to take appropriate steps to ensure that relevant staff employed by their service providers also have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience where they are providing relevant housing-management services.
Housing associations need to make sure that their providers are aware of the new standard and that DPSS provides recognised and certified courses in contract and commercial management