TP Certificate – Getting Qualified in Tenant Participation!

We recently met with Leza Lafferty, Development/Membership Officer at TPAS Scotland to find out why she decided to attend the first cohort of the Tenant Participation Certificate course and the benefits she received from taking part.  The Tenant Participation Certificate is a 6-week OCN NI Level 2 online course designed to provide an in-depth knowledge of everything associated with Tenant Participation.

So Leza, why did you decide to take part in the programme?

I have worked in housing for years and the knowledge and experience I have in tenant participation has been through doing the job.  This is the first time I have ever come across an actual qualified course which provides certification in this very important area of housing.

I felt that as an employee of TPAS it would be beneficial for me to understand what knowledge candidates would learn from the course, any issues candidates would face and tweaks required to ensure the course was fit for purpose for the members of TPAS Scotland.

What were your main takeaways from the course?

I felt the course covered all the elements of tenant participation.  It was appropriate for individuals who are new to tenant participation as well as individuals who have been in the role for a number of years, looking for a refresher – there’s definitely something for everyone! One of the key elements that really stood out for me was the information on community involvement and the strong links between community involvement and tenant participation.

As the course was online, it worked well for me.  I could work on it at a time that suited me – in the evening, at the weekend, whenever.  Each section could be saved and then I could return to it when I wanted.  This definitely made a huge difference!

What advice would you give to someone considering signing up for the course?

It is a fantastic course for tenants or staff who are new to tenant participation or those just looking for a refresher. The TPAS team can offer 1:1 advice and support on how to approach each section and how to use the online platform. The Government only give guidance around tenant participation, so this is a great opportunity to study tenant participation in detail and receive a qualification to demonstrate the hard work you have put in!

“I would recommend anyone who has an interest in tenant participation or community involvement does this course. It is an ideal starting point or refresher course and it’s great to get your work in TP recognised.”

The next TP Certificate course will take place in April 2022.  If you are interested in taking part complete our short form here.