Independent support and advice service contract for Council tenants.

Description

The independent support and advice service contract for Council tenants aims to empower and assist council tenants and tenant’s and residents’ association (TRAs) by offering comprehensive guidance and support. The service is designed to foster community cohesion, enhance tenant engagement and ensure transparency and accountability in financial and operational matters. This service will help tenants shape the design and delivery of landlord services and hold the council accountable for the standard and quality of these services. This requires a consistent and continuous meaningful engagement with all residents to ensure their needs and aspirations inform housing policy and the strategic priorities of the housing department. Lot 1: Southwark Council is looking to appoint a contractor to deliver the independent support and advice service contract for Council tenants. The organisation must operate within the UK's housing legislations including the Housing Act 1985, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Housing Act 1996 and the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. The key aspects of the work identified are in accordance with the specification detail are: • Identifying areas without TRAs and working with residents to establish them, as well as running co-produced community events. The service also focuses on recruiting members to scrutiny panels, assisting with TRA budgets, accounts, and bookkeeping, and ensuring adherence to principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion. Supporting TRAs in producing newsletters and publicity materials, fundraising, and holding the Council accountable as a landlord. Additionally, the initiative addresses complaint resolution, measures the impact of resident engagement, and facilitates access to core funding and grants. • Further support includes financial management, governance, and the role of TRAs. Providing representation in Council disputes and ensuring TRAs are well-supported and can effectively serve their communities.