Why the CIH professional standards are key to a better housing sector

Professionalism is a pillar of the housing sector, and CIH’s professional standards are here to guide you. Each characteristic supports building a better workforce, which is especially important considering the steady stream of changing regulations such as England’s Competence and Conduct Standard. We’ve all got our part to play to make the housing sector the best it can be for residents, housing organisations, and our colleagues, so read on to find out about the different qualities you should be upskilling. 

Integrity 

Helping others is a big part of working in housing, so being honest and principled makes sure everyone gets the support they need. When you’re making decisions that affect people’s lives, it’s important to understand why you’re making those choices and to back them up with experience and knowledge. The Competence and Conduct Standard pushes for housing staff to be given clear expectations around professional behaviour and tenant respect, but you should also take ownership of your individual actions by aiming to be a role model for others, challenging problematic behaviour, and promoting fair treatment. Ask for help from colleagues if you’re not sure and commit to researching the outcomes fully before making decisions.  

• Your next read: Integrity improvement analysis

Inclusive 

You’ll work with a wide range of people in your housing job, so accepting everyone for who they are is an essential trait. Every housing organisation should have an Equality, diversity and inclusion policy, so make sure you’ve read through yours and that it’s up to date. Ideally, the diversity of your organisation should reflect the diversity of the communities you operate in. You should work to understand tenants, residents, and colleagues as individuals, and challenge yourself to unpack any unconscious biases you may hold. If others call you out on something, see it as an opportunity to discover more about their life experiences—every day is an opportunity to learn something new in the housing sector!  

• Your next listen: CIH Podcast episode 51 - Diversifying the workplace: Where to start!

Ethical 

Housing is a rewarding but challenging profession to work in, and some of these challenges may involve making ethical decisions in tricky situations. Front-facing workers who are more involved with tenants might find this especially difficult, so it’s important to establish professional boundaries early on in your relationships with residents and community members. With developing technology and rising pressure from incoming regulations, we all have to make an effort to develop strong principles and stick to them. If you trust yourself and your colleagues to make ethical decisions, it makes your organisation more resilient and sets you up to face the everyday challenges of the housing industry. 

• Your next listen: The CIH Podcast episode 36 - AI and data ethics in housing

Knowledgeable 

You can be well-intentioned and supportive, but you need the correct knowledge to back up these qualities to be successful in a housing role. Any good professional keeps up to date with the latest developments in their sector, and the Competence and Conduct Standard makes this essential for those working in England. If you come across themes you don’t feel confident on in your day job, note them down to research for later. You could read an article in our Knowledge Hub or, if you want to boost your career further, you could attend a training course or undertake a qualification. Even something as small as an hour-long webinar can make a big difference. Knowledge shouldn’t be something you only gain because you have to, it should be something you’re actively looking to develop throughout your job. 

• Your next read: I left school with one qualification: here's how continuous learning shaped my career

Skilled 

You need skills that make you feel confident in your job. Soft skills like communication and teamwork can be developed over time, but hard skills often require you to undertake specific training. If you want to become more skilled in certain areas of your job, make sure you let your employer know. It’s likely that others could benefit from training as well, so your curiosity to learn more might even benefit your wider workforce. 

• Your next read: Professional standards: Growing your skills

Advocate 

The UK’s political landscape is always changing, so we need to make sure housing is seen as a priority, no matter who’s in charge. Considering all the hard work you do to improve people’s living situations, you should have lots of examples that can represent the housing profession in a positive light. Social housing especially faces a great deal of stigma so it’s important to help tenants and communities build a sense of pride in where they live. Whether you’re standing up for the sector as a whole or advocating for an individual resident, you’re contributing to a better and more accountable workforce. 

• Your next read: Tenants and residents: Good practice 

Leadership 

Even if you’re not in a management position at work, everyone in the housing sector can show leadership qualities. Being a leader means having the courage to make important decisions, having the qualifications and skills to do your job properly, and encouraging everyone around you to perform ethically and to a high standard. Taking an interest in your work and pushing yourself to be the best housing professional you can be is important for everyone in the sector, not just management level professionals. Having the confidence to step up when you’re needed means that the residents and colleagues you support can rely on you. 

• Your next watch: Making the most of CIH membership: Pathways to inclusive leadership

All of CIH’s professional standards have an important place in the housing sector. By embracing these qualities and encouraging others to do the same, you can push your organisation and the sector forwards. If you’re not sure where to start, our professional standards resources page can help you learn more.