CIH Awarding Organisation launches new top-up units to help housing professionals prepare for the Competence and Conduct Standard

As part of its commitment to supporting housing professionals prepare for the new Competence and Conduct Standard, the CIH Awarding Organisation has developed a series of top-up units to help individuals with partially aligned qualifications enhance their knowledge and skills—without the need to complete a full housing qualification.

Available at Levels 4 and 5, the top-up units cover a broad range of subject areas, enabling professionals to address specific gaps in their previous qualifications. This flexible approach is intended to make it quicker and more affordable for individuals to prepare for expected regulatory requirements.

The Competence and Conduct Standard is being introduced to promote high standards and professionalism across the social housing sector. While the final details of the new standard are still being confirmed by government, the CIH Awarding Organisation is committed to supporting the sector through the transition—recognising the time, resource and financial challenges professionals may face.

The new top-up units aim to ease these pressures by offering targeted, modular learning opportunities that can contribute to demonstrating compliance once regulatory expectations are made clear.

Commenting on the launch, Gavin Smart, chief executive of CIH, said: “I’m delighted that the CIH Awarding Organisation is launching these new top-up units, which give experienced professionals the opportunity to build on their existing qualifications and prepare for the forthcoming mandatory qualification requirement. CIH is committed to playing a leading role in supporting both individuals and the wider housing sector as they get ready to meet the new expectations under the Competence and Conduct Standard.”

The new top-up units Competence and conduct standard