CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Maintenance Enquiry pack information (For March 2012 applications)
Contents Section 1 - Introduction... 2 1.1 What is Distance Learning... 2 1.2 What is in this pack... 2 1.3 Courses available by day release... 2 1.4 Entry criteria Level 3 Certificate in Housing Maintenance... 3 1.5 Applying for this course... 3 Section 2 - About the course... 4 2.1 The CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Maintenance... 4 2.2 Membership of the CIH... 4 2.3 The qualification structure and units... 4 Section 3 - Syllabus... 5 Section 4 Study Day... 8 Section 5 Application Form Guidance notes... 8 5.1 Details of installment payments... 8 5.2 Financial Help... 8 5.3 Refunds Policy... 9
Section 1 - Introduction This course is aimed at frontline staff who are either, Maintenance professional operating within the social housing sector Or Non-technical staff from either a customer services or housing management background who want to qualify and progress to become a recognised professional This is a 12 month course. Distance Learning Centre. This is taken from date of enrolment with the CIH 1.1 What is Distance Learning Distance Learning means you will not attend college, instead you will be sent your study materials and assignment details. You will be allocated a tutor by the Distance Learning Centre who will support you through the course and assess your work. You will not have face to face meetings with your tutor but you will have lots of contact with them through the e-learning platform, email and telephone.. 1.2 What is in this pack This pack includes: Details about what you need to do to complete this course Syllabus for the course How to apply for this course Where to find financial help to apply for this course Please ensure you have read this pack fully before completing your application form, this will mean that you can make sure you are applying for the correct course. If your employer is paying for you to study you will need to include your authority to invoice from your employers. If you are paying for the course yourself, you will need to include your first installment. 1.3 Courses available by day release This course is also available through colleges by Day Release (this means that you would attend a College one day a week). If you would like to know about these please take a look at the CIH website (www.cih.org/whereyoucanstudy). If there are a group of 8 or more people in your workplace who would like to do this course we can deliver it as an in house programme, for more information on this contact in.house@cih.org.
1.4 Entry criteria Level 3 Certificate in Housing Maintenance In order to ensure that you are successful on the course minimum entry criteria have been set out. They are there to help you decide which is the most appropriate course for you. If you meet the standard criteria you will definitely be able to register on the program, it you don t we ll ask you to provide us with evidence to help us (and your centre) to decide if this is the right course for you. Because the assignments in our courses often ask you to look at your own organisation student as on our courses need to be working within a housing organisation. If you are currently not working within a housing organisation or in a related field you can gain entry if you can provide evidence of a placement or volunteer work, secured within housing before you start and for the duration of your course Standard You should be working within a housing organisation or in a related field and will need 4 GCSE passes at Grade C or above, or GNVQ Intermediate or an equivalent qualification Non standard You may be admitted without the normal entry requirements or formal educational qualifications but you will need to produce evidence of experience and demonstrate your commitment to the course you are applying for to the respective Delivery Centres. If you have any questions about your eligibility for this course, please telephone the Distance Learning Centre for an informal chat. 1.5 Applying for this course Applications for this course should be sent to the address below by 9 th March 2012 at the latest. You can either complete a printed application form or you can download an application form from our website at http://www.cih.org/distancelearning Distance Learning Centre Chartered Institute of Housing Octavia House Westwood Way Coventry CV4 8JP Telephone: 024 76 851789 Fax: 024 76 694209 email: dlc@cih.org www.cih.org We deliver CIH courses at Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4. Completing a course at one level allows progression to the next.
Section 2 - About the course 2.1 The CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Maintenance The CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Maintenance is a vocational qualification. Level 3 Certificate will provide entry points to: The CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing Maintenance Management The CIH Level 4 Diploma in Housing Maintenance and Asset Management The CIH Level 4 Diploma in Housing Development Level 3 is broadly comparable to the level of study undertaken for an A-Level or an NVQ Level 3 in England and Wales. It is broadly equivalent to a Level 5 Certificate or Leaving Certificate in Ireland. It is comparable to a Level 6 Higher or SVQ 3 in Scotland. 2.2 Membership of the CIH Learners that register on the CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Maintenance are entitled to free CIH Membership. 2.3 The qualification structure and units The qualification comprises of six units. The learner must pass all of the units in order to be awarded the qualification. Unit Unit Title 1 Housing Design, Technology and Construction 2 Housing Maintenance and Refurbishment 3 Customer Service for Housing Maintenance 4 Supervising Information and Resources 5 Health and Safety for Housing Maintenance 6 Housing Organisations in Context
Section 3 - Syllabus Unit 1: Housing, Design, Technology and Construction Unit Aims: The unit aims to establish an understanding of the design, planning and technological aspects of housing construction. It will also focus on standards and regulations affecting the design and construction processes and current amendments to regulations. The unit will develop an understanding of the technological and architectural terminology, construction principles and factors affecting material function and operation. It will also explore energy efficiency. Mode of Assessment: Externally set assessment, internally marked and externally Learning Outcomes: Understand the different construction methods employed across the housing stock. Understand a housing organisations responsibilities and liabilities in relation to the provision of utilities. Understand the requirements to alter existing properties and the legal requirements that must be adhered to. Produce measured surveys and drawn information. Unit 2: Housing Maintenance and Refurbishment Unit Aims: The unit aims to provide an understanding of the principles of the lifetime components of housing, operation, maintenance, alteration and refurbishment in conjunction with housing provider requirements. A learner will be able to complete a conditional inspection, assessment, prognosis and specification for remedial works to a domestic property. Mode of Assessment: Internally set assessment, internally marked and externally Learning Outcomes: 1. Develop an awareness of the lifetime, costs and use of housing components. 2. Understand the requirements and need for performance standards in maintenance works. 3. Develop an awareness of the requirements of service contracts and insurance. 4. Understand current legislation and control procedures relating to housing maintenance and the impact of non-compliance. 5. Be able to undertake a survey of a residential premise and issue a report. 6. Understand how to prepare detailed cost estimates for proposed works and issue/process tender documentation. 7. Understand the protocols/procedures to ensure that the work areas are available for contract commencement.
8. Understand contracts for refurbishment and maintenance works. Unit 3: Customer Service for Housing Maintenance Unit Aims: The unit aims to explore customer service skills for supervisors. It will establish the basis of customer service standards and focus upon related performance indicators and organisational regulations. Mode of Assessment: Externally set assessment, internally marked and externally Learning Outcomes: 1. Display knowledge and understanding of their customers. 2. Practice and promote equality and diversity. 3. Develop their communication and negotiation skills. 4. Understand IT systems for managing customer data and information. 5. Supervise the handling of customer queries. 6. Be able to deal with difficult situations and manage complaints and conflict. Unit 4: Supervising Information and Resources Unit Aims: The unit aims to cover the supervision and control of resources. It will examine skills for supervising staff, managing finance, managing self and use of information technology. Mode of Assessment: Internally set assessment, internally marked and externally Learning Outcomes: 1. Understand, supervise and control maintenance budgets. 2. Demonstrate skills for managing staff. 3. Manage self. 4. Manage projects. 5. Understand the use of information technology in an operational context. Unit 5: Health and Safety for Housing Maintenance Unit Aims: The unit aims to cover health and safety in both the workplace and within housing environments. It will cover evaluation of risk, controls, identification, accidents and responsibilities. Legislative issues will be examined. Mode of Assessment: Externally set assessment, internally marked and externally
Learning Outcomes: 1. Understand the requirements of health and safety acts and policies. 2. Prepare a risk assessment / method statement. 3. Understand landlord s obligations to test existing systems under housing requirements. 4. Be aware of safe working practices. 5. Understand Construction Design and Management Regulations. Unit 6: Housing Organisations in Context Unit Aims: The unit aims to cover strategic management of housing organisations, methods of partnering and procurement, stock acquisition, development and other activities such as regeneration and reinvestment strategies. It will also explore tenant participation schemes and mixed tenure estates, including leaseholder requirements, service charge accounting and consultation. Mode of Assessment: Internally set assessment, internally marked and externally Learning Outcomes: 1. Understand the principles involved in social housing provision and acquisition with regard to current legal and statutory requirements. 2. Be aware of the different types of tenancies / tenure which will be undertaken by social housing providers. 3. Understand the principles and processes involved in the regeneration and reinvestment sectors relating to social housing. 4. Understand the importance of and mechanisms for tenant participation and stakeholder involvement.
Section 4 Study Day There will be a Study Day which will form part of your course. This one day event will take place towards the beginning of your programme. It will serve as a means of meeting your tutors and staff from the CIH Distance Learning Team. Most importantly, it is a good opportunity for you to meet and get to know other learners on the course develop your study skills and concentrate on participative elements within the programme. Section 5 Application Form Guidance notes 5.1 Details of installment payments The full cost of the course in 2012 is 1200. Individuals who are paying for the course themselves can pay in instalments. Initial Payment with application (Includes module 1, 2) is 600 200 per module subsequently Important: If you are paying by cheque this needs to be sent to us with your application form. If you are paying by credit card, please ring and give us the details after you have had confirmation that we have received your form. If we do not receive the correct payment processing of your application may be delayed. To receive access to further modules please send us a cheque (or telephone with credit or debit card details) for 200. Upon receipt of your payment you will get access to the next module All cheques should be made payable to the Chartered Institute of Housing. 5.2 Financial Help If course fees present you with an obstacle, there are a number of different sources of financial support for people who wish to undertake courses of education. CIH Butler Bursary Details will be available on our website www.cih.org/butlerbursary Positive Action Training in Housing (PATH) PATH National Ltd was set up in September 2000 following the merger of PATH London and PATH Local Authorities. PATH schemes are run by many organisations providing education and training for Black and Minority Ethnic people who wish to work in housing. For example, Sandwell MBC has run a PATH scheme for more than ten years. If you want to find out more about PATH schemes in an area near you, please contact PATH National Ltd, Cotswold House, Meridian Gate, 219 Marsh Wall, London E14 9PD, telephone 020 7001 2000 or email generalinfo@path.co.uk
Family Welfare Association (FWA) The Family Welfare Association is another source of funding. It will consider applications from single parents, the disabled, and others. They award grants of up to 200. For further information call 020 7254 6251 after 10 am and ask for the Educational grant Advisory Service, or email fwa.headoffice@fwa.org.uk Prospect Training Services This organisation is funded by the DFEE. Funding is provided for those wishing to embark upon adult work based learning. Applications are considered on an individual basis. For more information call 01452 507131/331500 or email info@prospecttrainingg.org.uk Learndirect Learndirect was launched in February 1998. It is a telephone help-line which helps callers with learning and career enquiries. The telephone number for Learndirect is 0800 100 900 or visit their website at www.learndirect.co.uk. 5.3 Refunds Policy If you decide to withdraw from your course, please put this in writing to the CIH Distance Learning Centre. We will process any refund due in accordance with the policy below. This policy will be strictly adhered to. Stage Student has not attended Induction/enrolled with a centre. Student has not attended Induction day or filled in Centre enrolment form. Student has attended Induction day/enrolled with centre and it is within 2 months of the closing date of 9 th March 2012 Student has attended Induction day and it is more than 2 months of the closing date of 9 th March 2012. Policy Full refund Full refund Full refund minus admin fee of 100 No refund You have a maximum of 12 months to complete your course. All information in this pack is correct at the time of production. The CIH reserves the right to change any information in this pack.