Thursday 12 November 
Novotel Wolverhampton

There are still places available to book, please contact the InSTEP team on 0500 844 111 for a Booking Form Here

InSTEP West Midlands Tenant Empowerment Conference Agenda

9.45am   Arrive and enjoy a hot drink whilst you meet the other delegates.

10.25am   Welcome and Introductions, 

10.30am   “The National Tenant Voice” Richard Crossley will introduce the National Tenant Voice and give you the opportunity to hear what this will mean for you as a tenant.
The National Tenant Voice is a new body which is aiming to ensure that tenants in social housing  have expertise and influence at
national level. You will have the chance to find out how this new national body will work and how you can be involved. You will hear this latest update directly from the project group who have been developing the National Tenant Voice and have your chance to ask any questions you may have.

11.05am   Join in with our Information Sharing Session whilst enjoying tea, coffee and biscuits.

11.30am   “An Update from the Tenant Services Authority” The Tenant Services Authority will give you the opportunity to hear the results and findings from phase 1a of the National Conversation as well as the proposed new framework for landlords based on this. This session will involve a short presentation and a chance for delegates to ask questions.

12.00pm “Bushbury Hill Tenant Management Organisation: A Tenant Management Example Hear from a group of tenants from Wolverhampton who are managing their own services.

12.30pm    Enjoy a hot lunch and a chance to continue networking with fellow delegates

1.30pm      Choose to attend one of the open sessions

The Housing Ombudsman Service – What to do with a problem
Rafael Runco from the Housing Ombudsman Service will help you to understand how to make a complaint and also how the Ombudsman can help to resolve problems. He will also look at how you can improve services by promoting good practice and encouraging your housing providers to learn from complaints.
This session will include a short presentation followed by an open discussion and an opportunity to ask questions.

The GlassHouse – Community Led Design
Would you like to have a say in the changes to your area?
Can you really make a difference to how places and spaces are regenerated?
This interactive session will provide advice and information on how you can take part in, or even lead physical regeneration projects in your local area. We’ll explore the importance of design, why local people should get involved and the impact a changed area can have on you and your family.
You’ll have a chance to see some real examples of spaces and places that have been changed by and for tenants and local people. Then you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a design process and see why your input matters.

Tribal Consulting – Choosing Choice
Tribal’s report “Choosing choice”, considers the ways in which tenants can gain more choice over the services offered by registered providers and how the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) might support the development of this process.  By empowering all tenants with more choice, this will drive the quality and efficiency of social housing services.
The report suggests that most services are designed to satisfy a small proportion of intensive users or those tenants who become most involved with their housing provider and argues that instead, clear choices should be given to all tenants.
This session will give you the opportunity to explore this report, what it means for you as a tenant who is already involved and how you can help to improve the quality and efficiency of your housing services.

2.30pm      Comfort break and a chance to collect a drink

2.45pm      Choose to attend one of the open sessions (same sessions as above)

3.45pm      Goodbyes and evaluation forms

Delegate places are priced at £125+vat for tenants and £150+vat for professionals. Group discounts are available, please contact the InSTEP team.

If you have any further questions or would like some further information, please contact the InSTEP team.