The Social Housing Safety Network Scotland is delighted to introduce details of their inaugural tenant and resident safety annual conference; packed full of useful sessions that include a mixture of awareness raising and case studies from colleagues in the sector, we’re sure there will be something for everyone.
Day one: 22nd November 2023
Arrival from: 9:00am
Start time: 9:45am
Finish time: 4:45pm
Day two: 23rd November 2023
Arrival from: 9:15am
Start time: 9:45am
Finish time: 4:45pm
You can view and download the current programme here.
Members receive a discounted rate, whether booking one or both days. There are also discounts available for non-members booking multiple places.
If non-members would like to join the Network they can take advantage of the member prices. Please click here for more information.
Please note, all prices are subject to VAT. Accommodation is not included.
Here’s a ‘snapshot’ of what we have planned; there are a couple of details to confirm but the current programme can be found here.
Topics
Asbestos: The duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises
Gas: Reading & understanding an LGSR – it’s not just about ‘ticking a box’
Legionella: Assessing risks and developing a written scheme of control
Fire: The importance of assessing risks from fire in all blocks and how you can do this
Electrical: Documentation quality; the importance of ensuring that EICRs are completed correctly and validated
Assurance or Reassurance?: The importance of robust assurance; 3 lines of defence and why it’s important that third-party audits are not just a ‘tick box’ exercise
Case Studies
The importance of having a robust process for Damp and Mould in place and how to keep the Board informed
The importance of engaging with residents about fire safety and the innovative approach taken at WWHC.
Our tenant and resident safety compliance journey – the ups and downs!
Plus.. there will be:
‘Open Forum Workshops’ covering gas, asbestos, fire and legionella…
Q&A session with the daily speakers, your chance to ask the questions you want answered!
The venue for this event is The Merchants House of Glasgow, a Registered Charity which seeks to make a positive impact on lives and experiences.
The money paid for hiring this venue directly supports charities in the West of Scotland. Not only that, but it's a stunning, historical building in a central location.
Address: Collectors Office, 0/1, 7 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 1BA
Venue website: https://merchantshouse.org.uk/
Nearest train stations
Glasgow Queen Street: One minute walk
Glasgow Central: Ten minute walk
Public parking available nearby.
Vicki Cutler, Safety Specialist (Tenant & Resident Safety)
Vicki is Director of Housing H&S Compliance UK Ltd and a co-founder of the Social Housing Safety Network Scotland. She has worked in the sector for almost 20 years and a safety practitioner and has a wealth of knowledge.
She was awarded her Chartered Fellowship of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) based on the contribution made to the sector over the years; at the time she was one of only around 40 women worldwide to be awarded the prestigious title. For more information click here.
Vicki has extensive knowledge in health and safety, including corporate safety, however, her main focus is on tenant and resident safety, and she understands how the application of legislation surrounding subjects such as gas safety, asbestos management, electrical safety, fire safety and water hygiene should be applied in the social housing sector.
She is also a board member and vice-chair of an audit & risk committee for a Dundee-based housing association.
Nicola Harcus, Assistant Director of Regulation, Scottish Housing Regulator
Nicola is Assistant Director of Regulation at the Scottish Housing Regulator and part of the team responsible for the delivery of regulatory functions by monitoring, assessing and reporting on the performance of social landlords.
As part of her role Nicola is responsible for leading a team who regulate a portfolio of RSLs and local authorities and also leads on SHR’s approach to the Scottish Social Housing Charter which helps to improve the quality and value of services provided by social landlords in Scotland.
Nicola also has 14 years’ experience working within the housing sector.
Matt Dawes, Asbestos Specialist
Matt is Director of MDD Asbestos & Safety Services Ltd, a much valued associate of Housing H&S Compliance UK Ltd and co-founder of the Social Housing Safety Network Scotland.
The early part of Matt’s career saw him operating as an environmental consultant for a West Midlands based asbestos consultancy where he was able to learn and take responsibility for analytical monitoring (air testing) during and following asbestos remedial works. He moved to a housing association where he worked as a technical officer (asbestos) and supported their journey to compliance.
He holds the full range of BOHS Proficiency modules in relation to asbestos and has gained his Certificate in Operational Competence in Asbestos (CoC Asbestos). He understands the key issues that are specific to the sector; working to make a difference and improve safety for everyone.
Ryan Hodgson, Asset Management/Resident Safety Specialist (Gas Safe Registered)
Ryan is Director of Kingsman Consulting Ltd, a much valued associate of Housing H&S Compliance UK Ltd and co-founder of the Social Housing Safety Network Scotland.
He is a highly experienced social housing professional who has worked extensively in the field of asset management and resident/landlord safety compliance. Having worked with a number of social landlords to effect change and improvement, he is adept at leading and supporting senior/executive teams to deliver compliance with the ‘big 6’ landlord/resident safety obligations.
Ryan is a Gas Safe Registered professional and has a working technical knowledge of gas safety management and current regulatory requirements; he has, however, also effectively managed all areas of resident safety including the development/review of policies, procedures and management plans and has a designed and developed our robust KPI Scorecard reporting tool.
Chris Brown, Water Hygiene Specialist
Chris is Director of InSource Consulting Ltd, and a valued associate of Housing H&S Compliance UK Ltd. He has an exceptional level of knowledge and has worked with many clients in the social housing sector.
He is a chemist by qualification and is Elected Fellow of the Water Management Society. He spent much of the early days of his career as a Technical Consultant and currently supports organisations with legionella risk assessments, written schemes of control and reviews and audits of legionella management arrangements.
Chris has been involved in a number of Legionella cases, working with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) providing expert advice and guidance.
Ian Robertson, Fire Safety Specialist
Ian is a specialist fire safety consultant, fire risk assessor and trainer and has previously spent ten years working for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service where he gained valuable first-hand experience in executing the practical elements of an emergency response service and supporting the delivery of all aspects of training. As well as dealing with emergency incidents, Ian also carried out an extremely important role within the area of community safety; he recognised that the best way to fight fires is to prevent them ever starting, an aim which is achieved in a variety of ways, but is primarily focused on educating and informing.
Ian has been an independent fire safety specialist and risk assessor for the last five years or so, including carrying out assessments and working within the social housing sector. We are delighted to be able to draw on Ian’s valuable experience and knowledge of the Scottish Regulations and their application within the sector in Scotland. As the first and currently the only individual fire risk assessor in Scotland to be accredited with both UKAS independent scheme FRACS (Warrington Certification) and the IFSM’s register of Nationally Accredited Fire Risk Assessors scheme (NAFRAR Tier-3), Ian has demonstrated his competency as a fire risk assessor at a nationally recognised standard of competence and his work is continually evaluated.
Sharon Donohoe, Development Director, TIS
Sharon Donohoe is the Development Director at TIS – a national membership organisation that leads in the development of innovative tenant participation, engagement, and scrutiny practices in Scotland.
Sharon has over 30-years of experience working within the public, social rented, and third sectors, and is passionate about working in partnership with tenants, communities, and housing organisations to drive meaningful change for the diverse and flourishing communities throughout Scotland. She has extensive housing policy, legislation, and regulatory framework knowledge and works closely with the Scottish Government, to shape national housing consultations surrounding tenant participation and tenant’s rights.
Sharon delivers advice, training, and support at a local and national level to ensure tenants and communities are involved and their voices are heard.
She has a BA in Community Development, a Diploma in Community Education, and a CIPD in training practices. She also has experience of working with young people, families, and homeless people in Scotland, New Zealand, and America.
Stuart McKelvie, Training & Development Adviser, SELECT
Stuart has been employed at SELECT from 2010 until 2022 as a technical adviser and from 2022 until present as training & development adviser.
Stuart delivers and prepares training courses for SELECT's various SQA customised awards as well as other training courses that they offer. Stuart also represents SELECT in various electrical committees within BSI and the IET.
Stuart has a vast knowledge in the electrical industry; in his early days working in electrical contracting and employed within a local authority, he also had a spell of part time lecturing under the modern apprenticeship scheme for electrical apprentices. Stuart holds IEng MIET and is passionate regarding safety in the electrical industry.
Craig Reid, Head of Asset Management, Paisley Housing Association
Craig Reid is Head of Asset Management at Paisley Housing Association; he has over 15 years of working within various technical roles both in social housing and the construction sector. Craig has previously had positions of assistant building surveyor for a property surveying firm, a project manager for a large multi-national construction company and investment manager for a community-based housing association.
Craig holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Construction Management from Glasgow Caledonian University.
He is also asset forum chair within the Glasgow West of Scotland Forum of Housing Association, a Board member at Elderpark Housing Association and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Building.
Grant Clayton, Deputy Director, West Whitlawburn Housing Co-operative
Grant has worked in housing for over 20 years and joined the Co-operative in March 2015. He has a keen interest in buildings and construction and for the majority of his career, Grant has worked within property services, at both Cube Housing Association and Loretto Housing Association, prior to the Co-operative.
At Loretto, Grant was responsible for the repairs and maintenance service for over 1200 properties, including specialist care facilities. Prior to that between 2008 and 2014, he was responsible for the maintenance and refurbishment of 29 multi-storey blocks in Glasgow with a particular focus on building services safety compliance, lift renewals and water services; he was also directly involved in the installation of a large scale district heating system to 1700 homes over two years which helped him to deliver the West Whitlawburn Housing Co-operative’s bio-mass heating system.
Grant holds a first class honours degree (BSc Hons) in Construction Management.
Lauren Herd, Maintenance Administrator, Elderpark Housing Association
Lauren works for Elderpark Housing Association as the maintenance administrator. She has worked in housing for five years, joining Elderpark in 2018 and is originally from a customer services background before moving to her current role in April 2022.
In her current role, Lauren is responsible for tenant health and safety, including gas safety, legionella and electrical/fire safety; she has made a real impact since being appointed and is keen to ensure her knowledge is kept up to date and that she is continually learning . Since starting her new role she has achieved qualifications such as IOSH Managing Safely in Social Housing as well as BOHS P900 legionella awareness.
