BDA - Board Development Agency

Governance is the engine that drives the organisation on the journey. 🚗 within housing associations, the Board is the navigator, setting the destination and mapping the route to success. They determine the course, ensuring the organisation meets tenant needs, achieves its objectives and adapts to the ever-changing regulatory landscape. 👉 But no journey can happen without a well-maintained engine, and that’s the Governance Team. They ensure every part of the organisational vehicle runs smoothly, from preparing agendas (fuelling the journey) to recording decisions (keeping the wheels turning). They bridge strategies and operations, ensuring the organisation stays on track and reaches its goals. If you’re stepping into this integral role or looking to fine-tune your skills, our Junior Governance Support Officer Training is here to help you succeed. 🌟 🎯 What you will gain: ✅ A clear roadmap of governance in social housing. ✅ An understanding of how to support Boards and senior leaders effectively. ✅ Practical skills to organise meetings, take minutes and ensure compliance. Governance isn’t just about keeping the vehicle moving; it’s about ensuring a smooth, purposeful and impactful journey. Visit: https://lnkd.in/eCqYZX5g #GovernanceTraining #SocialHousing #JuniorGovernance #ProfessionalDevelopment

Housing association boards are the cornerstone of ethical governance, shaping communities and ensuring quality of affordable housing. As a non-executive Board Member of a housing association, you play a pivotal role in: ✨ Driving the mission of providing homes and hope. ✨ Navigating governance, compliance and strategic decisions. ✨ Collaborating with diverse voices to create meaningful change. Mark Sweeny was asked by Dynamic Boards what he’d say to someone considering joining the board of a housing association. His answer: you’d get a huge amount of personal development (akin to a “free MBA”!) Becoming a Board Member isn’t just about governance; it’s about creating real impact and contributing to a mission that truly matters and makes a lasting difference. BDA’s webinars help you stay ahead, offering expert-led sessions to sharpen your skills and deepen your understanding. 🔍 Upcoming topics: AI & ML in Governance: explore how technology can streamline your organisation's processes. Fraud & Procurement: an insightful refresher on safeguarding and compliance. 🌱 Try a session on us! Send an email to enquiries@boardagency.org.uk to claim one-time free access and join a community committed to good governance, or to learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/grv5vEu8 #BoardDevelopment #SocialHousing #LeadershipGrowth

Uncertainty about your governance responsibilities is holding you back? Stepping into the role of a Governance Officer can feel daunting, but knowledge is the key to confidence. That’s where our Junior Governance Support Officer Training comes in! To navigate the complexities of social housing governance with clarity and precision. This course is your guide to understanding: The principles of governance in social housing. How to align governance with your organisation’s goals. The art of preparing agendas, supporting Board meetings and taking minutes. Delivered in four, two-hour online sessions, it will give you both the theoretical foundations and practical tools you need to excel in your role.   🔗 Learn more and book your place here:https://lnkd.in/eCqYZX5g #GovernanceWisdom #SocialHousingKnowledge #HousingAssociation

In the final article of their three-part Inside Housing series on the new consumer regulations in England, Gráinne Cuffe delves into 🏘️ Local Authorities vs. Housing Associations: how are they faring under the New Consumer Standards? The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has issued its first grades under the updated consumer standards, and the results highlight some key differences between local authorities and housing associations: 📉 Challenges for Local Authorities Non-compliance Grades: Many local authorities have received C3 or C4 grades, reflecting systemic issues like decades of underinvestment and outdated infrastructure. This is because, unlike Housing Associations, councils have less experience with proactive regulation and are now navigating new expectations for compliance and tenant engagement. The data gaps, especially in areas like tenant safety and repairs, are slowing their ability to meet the standards. 📈 Due to established frameworks, housing associations generally received stronger grades, thanks to their history of regulatory compliance and housing-specific expertise. Many associations have been preparing for these standards, focusing on areas like tenant engagement and operational transparency. 💬 How do you see the sector evolving under the new standards? What steps should landlords take to meet the regulator's expectations? 🔗 Read the full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/gybTnfdP #UKhousing #SocialHousing #ConsumerStandards #Governance #TenantEngagement

Did you know BDA can be the extra set of hands your housing association needs? I have seen first hand how much smoother things run when the right support is in place and that is exactly what BDA - Board Development Agency offers: expertise, reassurance, and a steady hand when you need it most. Running governance effectively is not always straightforward, especially when unexpected gaps appear. Maybe you need someone to manage minutes or offer part-time support. Perhaps it’s an interim manager to help you through a transition or oversee a project. Whatever the challenge, we are here to ensure your governance doesn’t miss a beat. Continuity of operations matters! Drop me a message or get in touch with the team to explore how we can help.  #SocialHousing #GovernanceSupport #InterimManagement 

In the second of their three-part Inside Housing series on the new consumer regulations in England, Gráinne Cuffe delves into insights from recent regulatory judgements and speaks to the Regulator of Social Housing's (RSH) key themes, non-negotiables, and evolving expectations for social housing providers. Key takeaways from the article are The regulator is driving landlords towards more robust data collection and utilisation, particularly around stock condition and tenant demographics. Tenant engagement and safety are central to compliance, with landlords required to demonstrate actionable outcomes from their efforts. While the focus is currently on the most critical areas, the scope of scrutiny may expand in the future to more rigorously cover other standards. What are your thoughts on the sector’s approach to meeting these standards? 📖 Explore the full insights and expertise shared by Grainne Cuffe, Jonathan Driscoll, Catherine Little, and others in Inside Housing's series. Visit https://lnkd.in/euR3kheK #HousingGovernance #ConsumerStandards #TenantEngagement #SocialHousing #Regulation

Minutes are more than just records; they are tools that ensure accountability, track progress and provide a clear audit trail for decisions. To create high-quality minutes, focus on recording the key actions, responsibilities, and deadlines while maintaining clarity and brevity. Here is our take on how you can have smooth minute-taking during meetings: prepare, prepare, prepare... Read previous minutes. Get familiar with the agenda. and if possible, communicate with the Chair. When writing up the minutes, prioritise clarity and readability, Our Advance Minute-taking training focuses on improving your ability to produce clear, concise, and actionable records tailored to your audience and aligned with organisational needs. Join our next cohort of minute takers in February , taking their minuting to the next level! Visit: https://lnkd.in/eKTZ-qrp #Governance #training #HousingAssociation #BoardEffectiveness #SocialHousing

🎉 Happy New Year from the Board Development Agency! As we enter 2025, we celebrate the resilience and dedication of the UK’s social housing sector. The year 2025 brings new opportunities to innovate and collaborate, even as we face challenges such as funding pressures, rising sector demands, and evolving regulatory landscapes. At BDA, our mission is to empower Boards and governance teams with the tools and expertise they need to thrive. Here’s how we can support you in 2025: ✔️ Strategic consultation: from governance reviews to practical solutions for complex challenges. ✔️ Interim management support: top-tier consultants ready to step in when needed. ✔️ Learning and development: training and resources to keep your Board at the forefront of best practices. ✨ Start the year with insight by joining our upcoming webinar: 📅 Thursday, 9 January 2024 | 1:00 pm –2:00 pm 🎙️ Presented by Bill Gill What to expect: 🎯 A forum for Boards to discuss innovative approaches to housing’s most pressing issues. 🎯 Insights into 2025’s regulatory changes and economic pressures. 🎯 Strategies to tackle financial and operational challenges. #UKhousing #SocialHousing #Regulation #RSH #ConsumerStandards #TenantEngagement #HousingSafety Visit: https://lnkd.in/eHY28xEv

We want to take a moment to highlight an important aspect of housing association governance that greatly affects your operations and Board effectiveness, which is minute-taking. Taking effective minutes of key decisions and discussions is essential for clear communication, information sharing, and compliance with regulations. If the role of minute-taking is not well understood, important details may be missed, leading to missed opportunities to showcase your Board's work, possibly resulting in legal issues and inefficiencies within the organisation. We offer tailored services to help Boards and governance teams capture important discussions and decisions effectively through our training: 📝 Introduction to Practical Minute-Taking for new minute-takers and ✍🏻⚖️Advanced Minute Taking perfect for those with some experience. For organisations seeking personalised support, we also offer Board and governance consultancy services to help your team prepare to meet all legal and regulatory requirements.  To learn more and explore our full training visit: https://lnkd.in/gcGtRAmj #Governance #training #HousingAssociation #BoardEffectiveness #SocialHousing

Some great opportunities here for Social Housing Committee members.