About this course
This course will give you the knowledge and confidence to support and advocate for people with housing problems to help them realise their rights . You’ll learn to identify the legal and policy issues affecting people whose rights are being denied or are at risk and possible courses of action that could be taken all while achieving a recognised housing qualification.
The course consists of the following units:
- Housing issues – This unit covers current legislation relating to housing in Scotland, types of housing in Scotland, common housing problems across different tenure types and how to take action on a client’s behalf.
- Security of tenure - This unit covers different tenure types in Scotland, the essential elements of a lease and the processes of eviction and repossession.
- Homelessness - This unit covers key aspects and possible causes of homelessness, the responsibilities of the local authority to the housing applicant and how to analyse housing options and identify strategies for clients facing homelessness.
- Housing repair & disrepair - This unit covers different types of disrepair, the obligations of the landlord in relation to repair and disrepair and the role of the local authority in relation to repair and disrepair.
- Finance - This unit covers rights, responsibilities and options in the context of arrears and repossession, the causes and effects of debt and outline strategies to avoid eviction and repossession and housing benefit, council tax reduction and associated eligibility criteria.
Plus an additional unit Representation at hearings – this unit gets you to explore the different interventions and courses of action you could take when advocating on behalf of a client.
To demonstrate competence , you’ll need to do a series of self-assessments, which come at the end of each learning unit. After you’ve done all five units, you’ll be asked to do two written assessments.
NOTE: One of the written assessments is a reflective account which requires the learner to think of an example in which a client has needed assistance with attending a formal hearing. This could be attending court, a tribunal, or other formal situation such that requires advocacy.
People who have taken this course
Solicitors, specialist housing advisers, lay representatives and mediators.
Learning outcomes
Deliver detailed housing advice to people
Examine influences on the provision of housing
Explore your own knowledge and how to apply it in the context of representing a client
Demonstrate the principal categories of intervention and possible course of action
Explain the legal requirements underpinning the hearing
Prepare and implement a case plan
Review and evaluate a case plan
Accreditation
Sucessful learners can download a personalised certificate of achievement and receive SQA Professional Development Group award level 7, and unit award level 8.
Course Duration
This course will take approximately 30 hours to complete over an eight month period.
