The qualification aims to provide knowledge and skills to manage and deliver person-centred and trauma-informed services that enable successful outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

  • This qualification meets the requirements for the Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing.
  • The qualification has been developed in collaboration with Homeless Link. 

The unit content was also developed with a range of experts, and reviewed by people with lived experience of homelessness, to ensure it meets the needs of the sector and includes content that matters to people who are using these services.

The qualification is regulated by: Ofqual, Qualifications Wales

What will you learn?

The qualification has five mandatory units containing 30 credits which you must achieve to be awarded the qualification. 

Mandatory

Context of homelessness and homelessness services

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Context of homelessness and homelessness services

The aim of this unit is to develop an understanding of the causes, consequences, and policy and legal frameworks surrounding homelessness. It includes learning on the statutory and voluntary services available. Learners will also explore how homelessness services are delivered, their effectiveness, and their impact on individuals at risk or experiencing homelessness.

Mandatory

Managing and delivering trauma-informed homelessness services

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Managing and delivering trauma-informed homelessness services

This unit aims to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to deliver psychologically informed, trauma-informed, and person-centred homelessness services. It also covers content on safeguarding, managing and supporting teams in homelessness services and change management.

Mandatory

Partnership working in homelessness services

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Partnership working in homelessness services

This unit aims to develop learners’ understanding of effective partnership working, and safeguarding, and data sharing across homelessness services.

It also equips learners with the skills to manage partner relationships, participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, and promote collaborative, safe, and accountable partnership working environments.

Mandatory

Managing and improving homelessness services

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Managing and improving homelessness services

This unit aims to develop learners’ ability to manage risk and develop organisational policies in homelessness services as well as effective budgeting, reporting, and performance monitoring.

It also equips learners to apply co-production principles, involving people with lived experience in the design and improvement of services. 

Mandatory

Professionalism in homelessness services

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Professionalism in homelessness services

This unit aims to provide the opportunity to reflect on what professionalism means in homelessness services, the learner will analyse their own professional practice against professional standards. It also examines the importance of exercising professional judgement, using a reflective practice model and continuing professional development, along with an opportunity to create a professional development plan.

Qualification specification document

Who is this qualification for?

The qualification is suitable for learners who are working in homelessness services or related sectors who are aspiring to progress into a team leader or management role in a homelessness service.

It is also suitable for learners who are in team leader or management roles in homelessness services who would like to further develop their knowledge and skills.

What are the entry requirements?

For this qualification the learner must be working or volunteering in homelessness, housing, or a related sector to facilitate achievement of the assessment criteria. CIH Awarding Organisation also suggest it may be beneficial for the learner to have one or some of the following:

  • Have completed a level 3 homelessness or housing qualification
  • Have completed a qualification at level 3.
How long does it take?

The average Total Qualification Time (TQT) is approximately 300 hours. The average Guided Learning Hours (GLH) are approximately 135. 

Please note that these figures may vary between learners and centres.

How much does it cost?

Qualification fees can vary depending on where, how and with which centre you choose to study. Please contact your CIH approved study centre directly for further information on fees.

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How will I be assessed?

The qualification is assessed by CIH approved study centres. Centres can use a variety of methods, including tasks, portfolios, assignments, and professional discussions.

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What are the progression opportunities?

The qualification aims to support entry and progression within roles such as:

  • Homelessness Service Manager / Team Leader
  • Outreach/ Rough Sleeping Services Manager / Team Leader
  • Hostel / Supported Accommodation Manager / Team Leader
  • Housing Options Manager / Team Leader
  • Foodbank Manager / Team Leader
  • Day Centre / Drop in Manager / Team Leader.

Learners may wish to progress to further study, such as the CIH Level 5 Diploma in Housing, if they would like to build on their knowledge with a housing-focused approach to homelessness services.

What are the membership opportunities?

As a learner you may be eligible to gain access to CIH membership at a concessionary rate.

On completion of the qualification, you may wish to become a certified practitioner (CertCIH).

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Choose how you study

Unfortunately, this qualification is currently not being delivered by any study centers. For any queries or further information, please contact us on 024 7685 1700 or make an enquiry here.

If you are study centre and are interested in delivering our CIH qualifications, you can find out more here.

Other level 4 qualifications

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CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing

The CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills essential for effective management within the housing sector.

It covers various topics, including housing law, policy, customers, and professional practice, alongside a wide range of optional units tailored for management-level professionals.

Who is this qualification for?

This qualification is designed for individuals currently in, or aspiring to, supervisory or management roles in housing.

Estimated study time

  • Approximately 360 hours.

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CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing Management and Service Delivery

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CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing Management and Service Delivery

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It includes learning in housing law, policy, regulation, professionalism, and delivering customer-focused housing services.

Who is this qualification for?

The qualification is suitable for learners operating in England who are in a senior management role in housing, or housing service provision who already have learning or a professional membership in a related area but are required to gain a Level 4 housing management qualification in line with the Regulator of Social Housing Competence and Conduct Standard.

Estimated study time

  • Approximately 210 hours.

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CIH Level 4 Certificate in Managing Housing Maintenance

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The CIH Level 4 Certificate in Managing Housing Maintenance aims to provide you with knowledge and skills in housing maintenance and asset management in housing.

Who is this qualification for?

This qualification is designed for those who are working in or aspire to work in a supervisory or management role in housing maintenance or asset management.

Estimated study time

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Level 4 Senior Housing/Property Management apprenticeship standard

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The Level 4 Senior Housing and Property Management apprenticeship evaluates learners through a work-based project and a professional discussion, assessing their ability to apply knowledge, skills, and behaviours in real-world housing management scenarios. Find out more at Skills England.

CIH can deliver the End point assessment for the Level 4 apprenticeship as an approved End Point Assessment organisation. Find out more here.

Level 4 top-up units

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Level 4 top-up units

Ideal for managers working towards compliance with the competence and conduct standard. These courses are designed for those who already hold a partially compliant qualification and need to cover specific learning gaps.

Available level 4 top-up units:

  • Housing law and regulation
  • Housing policy
  • Customer focus in housing
  • Professionalism in housing
  • Resident involvement in housing
  • Law, policy and regulation for repairs and maintenance
Top-up units

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