Safeguarding adults with care and support needs — Chartered Institute of Housing Occupational Qualification Public Services Revision

    This element examines the legal and policy framework protecting adults with care and support needs, focusing on the Care Act 2014 and its implications for

    Topic Synopsis

    This element examines the legal and policy framework protecting adults with care and support needs, focusing on the Care Act 2014 and its implications for housing professionals. It explores how statutory duties translate into everyday professional practice, emphasising the central role of partnership working in preventing abuse and promoting wellbeing. Learners will engage with real-world scenarios relevant to housing settings, ensuring they can apply safeguarding principles effectively.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Safeguarding adults with care and support needs

    CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF HOUSING
    vocational

    This element examines the legal and policy framework protecting adults with care and support needs, focusing on the Care Act 2014 and its implications for housing professionals. It explores how statutory duties translate into everyday professional practice, emphasising the central role of partnership working in preventing abuse and promoting wellbeing. Learners will engage with real-world scenarios relevant to housing settings, ensuring they can apply safeguarding principles effectively.

    1
    Learning Outcomes
    2
    Assessment Guidance
    2
    Key Skills
    1
    Key Terms
    3
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Practice

    Topic Overview

    The CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Practice provides a comprehensive foundation for understanding the housing sector in the UK. This qualification covers key areas such as housing policy, legislation, tenancy management, and the roles of various housing organisations. It is designed for individuals working or aspiring to work in housing, including local authorities, housing associations, and the private rented sector. The course equips students with practical knowledge to support tenants, manage properties, and navigate the complex regulatory environment.

    Understanding housing practice is crucial because housing is a fundamental human need and a major policy area in the UK. Issues such as homelessness, affordable housing, and tenant rights are at the forefront of public debate. This qualification helps students grasp how housing services are delivered, funded, and regulated, and how they can contribute to improving housing outcomes for individuals and communities. It also provides a pathway to further professional development, such as the CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing.

    Within the wider subject of Public Services, housing practice intersects with social policy, law, and community development. Students will learn about the Housing Act 1988, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and the role of the Regulator of Social Housing. They will also explore topics like allocations, rent arrears, and anti-social behaviour. This qualification is vocational, meaning it emphasises real-world application, case studies, and reflective practice.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Tenure types: Understanding the differences between social housing (council and housing association), private rented sector, and owner-occupation, including the legal rights and responsibilities associated with each.
    • →Housing legislation: Key acts such as the Housing Act 1988 (assured shorthold tenancies), the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 (duty to prevent and relieve homelessness), and the Equality Act 2010 (protecting tenants from discrimination).
    • →Tenancy management: Processes for allocating housing, signing up tenants, conducting inspections, handling rent accounts, and managing repairs and maintenance.
    • →Supporting vulnerable tenants: Identifying and responding to needs of tenants with mental health issues, disabilities, or those at risk of homelessness, including referral to specialist services.
    • →Regulatory framework: The role of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) in setting standards for social landlords, and the Housing Ombudsman in resolving disputes.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • 1. Know the legal and regulatory framework for safeguarding adults with care and support needs.2. Understand the impact of the legal and regulatory framework for safeguarding adults with care and support needs on professional practice.3. Understand the role of partnership working in safeguarding adults with care and support needs.

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for accurately referencing key legislation such as the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, and the statutory guidance 'Care and Support Statutory Guidance', demonstrating clear understanding of legal duties.
    • Award credit for providing concrete examples of how safeguarding procedures are applied in housing contexts, such as identifying signs of abuse during tenancy visits or managing concerns about self-neglect.
    • Award credit for explaining the role of multi-agency safeguarding arrangements, including the duty to cooperate with local authorities, NHS bodies, and other partners, and for describing effective information-sharing protocols.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Always explicitly reference relevant legislation and statutory guidance by name, and explain how they directly influence decision-making in housing practice scenarios.
    • 💡Use practical, housing-focused examples in your responses—such as tenancy support, anti-social behaviour case management, or adaptations—to demonstrate the application of safeguarding duties in your professional role.
    • 💡When answering questions about legislation, always quote the specific Act and year, and explain how it applies to the scenario given. For example, 'Under the Housing Act 1988, an assured shorthold tenancy gives the tenant a right to occupy for a fixed term...' This shows precise knowledge.
    • 💡Use case studies or examples from your own work experience (if applicable) to illustrate points. Examiners value practical application of theory. If you don't have experience, use hypothetical but realistic scenarios, such as a tenant with rent arrears due to benefit changes.
    • 💡Structure your answers clearly: use headings or bullet points where appropriate, and ensure each paragraph addresses one key point. For longer answers, use the 'PEEL' method (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) to stay focused and demonstrate depth.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Confusing adult safeguarding with child protection, leading to a failure to apply adult-specific principles like 'Making Safeguarding Personal' and the duty of candour.
    • Overlooking the importance of mental capacity assessments and assuming all adults with care needs lack capacity, instead of applying the presumption of capacity first.
    • Misconception: 'Housing associations are private companies that can evict tenants without reason.' Correction: Housing associations are not-for-profit organisations that must follow strict legal procedures for eviction, including serving valid notices and obtaining a court order. They are regulated by the RSH and must comply with tenancy agreements and housing law.
    • Misconception: 'The council has to house anyone who is homeless immediately.' Correction: The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 requires councils to take reasonable steps to prevent or relieve homelessness, but not everyone is owed a full housing duty. Priority need, local connection, and intentionality are assessed. Emergency accommodation is only provided to those in priority need who are unintentionally homeless.
    • Misconception: 'Tenants can be evicted for any reason during the fixed term of an assured shorthold tenancy.' Correction: During the fixed term, a tenant can only be evicted if they breach the tenancy agreement (e.g., rent arrears, anti-social behaviour). After the fixed term, a Section 21 notice can be used for no-fault eviction, but it must comply with legal requirements (e.g., gas safety certificate, deposit protection).

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic understanding of the UK political system and how laws are made, as housing policy is heavily influenced by government legislation.
    • •Familiarity with key social issues such as poverty, inequality, and social exclusion, as these are central to housing need and service delivery.
    • •Some knowledge of customer service or people management skills, as housing practice involves direct interaction with tenants and stakeholders.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • 1. Know the legal and regulatory framework for safeguarding adults with care and support needs.2. Understand the impact of the legal and regulatory framework for safeguarding adults with care and support needs on professional practice.3. Understand the role of partnership working in safeguarding adults with care and support needs.

    Ready to learn?

    AI-powered learning tailored to this unit

    Related Topics in CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF HOUSING vocational Public Services

    Law, policy and regulation for repairs and maintenance

    View Topic

    Building relationships with and advocating for people who are rough sleeping

    View Topic

    Context of homelessness and homelessness services

    View Topic

    Customer focus in housing

    View Topic