Training & Consultancy
Our Vision: To provide practical, operational and experienced based training and consultancy services to Local Authorities and their staff, whose roles involve dealing with empty homes, and bringing them back into use
Our Training Services
The primary function of our training services is to develop an approach to empty homes work that supports and encourages the use of best practice, shares experience, and supports those who are new to, or are developing their understanding of ways in which an empty homes service can be built and delivered. Developed and delivered by empty homes officers with many years of experience, our training provides the perfect foundation for those working in the empty homes field.
An introduction to Empty Homes
Aimed at new starters, officers who have been redeployed or have had empty homes work added to their roles, this one-day introductory course includes:
Setting up an empty homes service
- Strategy and policy development
Casework
- Types of empties and ways to approach
- 3 Stage letter process
- Property audits
- Data cleansing
- Case Building
- Finding and tracing owners
Working with internal and external partners
- Internal partners and how they can help
- Councillors
- Planning and Housing Enforcement
- Housing Associations
- Estate and Letting Agents / Auctioneers
Setting up and maintaining a database
- Set up and layout
- Updating the database
- Data Cleansing and the CTB1
Funding options for owners
- New Homes Bonus
- Internal Invest to save proposals
- Central Government Funding
- Collaboration with partners
Using the media
- Promoting the role of officers
- Promoting the role of the Authority
- Targeting owners
- Using photographs as evidence
Council Tax
- Legislation
- Exemptions
- Discounts
- Empty Homes Premiums
Administration
- Email accounts & alias'
- Website
- Empty Homes Statistical Reporting
Our Consultancy Services
Targeting those who are more experienced, who work alone or require guidance related to their casework, our Consultancy Services offer a bespoke package tailored to meet your specific needs.
These services can include:
- Empty Homes Service ‘MOTs’
- Individual case progression advice and guidance
- Priority caseload action plan
- Strategy and enforcement policy writing
- Empty Homes Officer in-fill between role appointments
- Short-term temporary contracts
- Longer term contract work
- Training sessions for elected members – ‘The Journey of an empty home, and the Council’s options’
- Business case production for Officer role extensions, additional resource or external funding opportunities
This list is not exhaustive and can include all aspects of empty homes work required by a Local Authority and their empty homes teams. Our prices are based on your requirements, so each service and package delivered is bespoke to you, your authority and your development needs.
For more information on any of our services, or to discuss your needs in detail, please contact: admin@ehnetwork.org.uk