Support

Our Advisory Group

With an advisory group of some of the best-performing local authorities and landlords in the country and government agency representatives, SEN aims to lead the way in new relationships between local authorities and social landlords, on seeking value for money from housing activity, and in improving outcomes for customers and communities.

Our Advisory Group first met in October 2009 to provide feedback on existing SEN services and to discuss new services: the projects for this 2010 were identified and supported by the group. The group has been instrumental in shaping the content and format of the March 2010 Improvement Development Agency (IDeA) Strategic Housing Events, and also provided valuable feedback on the SEN brochure.

The group met again in April 2010 to discuss the projects in more detail, feedback from the SEN member satisfaction survey; and to receive an update from the IDeA on the strategic housing programme.

Minutes from the Advisory Group have been reported under the 'Support docs' section at the bottom of the page.

Consultancy support

There may be times when you need tailored support and specialist input to develop your strategic approach. HQN's strategic housing service has considerable experience of working with local authorities, landlords and housing support providers to:

  • Improve performance

    Recent work includes undertaking mock inspections and other forms of performance assessment of the strategic approach to housing and non-landlord housing services such as homelessness, private sector housing and housing support, and developing improvement plans

  • Set strategic direction (vision) and identify priorities

    Recent work includes providing strategic context reviews to inform housing association board and strategic housing partnership decision-making, and facilitating sessions with elected members and Local Strategic Partnerships

  • Develop partnerships

    Recent work includes facilitating discussions between local authorities and landlords to develop new, local, standards, and to improve strategic relationships

  • Review existing strategies, plans and policies

    Recent work includes reviewing and refreshing allocations policies

  • Undertake research to inform strategies, plans and policies

    Recent work includes housing market reviews to inform housing strategies and policies and research to inform plans for housing and services to meet the needs of an older population

  • Understanding value for money

    Recent work includes appraising investment and service options, undertaking benchmarking and developing strategic frameworks.