Resident Involvement

1. I'm interested in being a tenant's rep/resident representative/Local Community Representative – what do I do?

2. I don't want to/can't attend meetings but still want to have my say. Is there any way to do this?

3. What is resident involvement?

4. Does PHP give training to residents?

5. I'm a leaseholder – isn't this all for tenants?

6. I'm in sheltered housing – is there anything for residents here?

7. What standards do representatives adhere to?

8. What are the benefits to residents from involvement?

9. How long does it take to become a representative?

10. What is the induction programme?

1. I'm interested in being a tenant's rep/resident representative/Local Community Representative – what do I do?

If you're interested in representing residents in your area, you need to decide how big an area you're willing to cover and contact the Resident Involvement Co-ordinator, Marie Marsh, Tel 264422. Marie will be happy to discuss what is involved in being a representative and explain the rest of the nomination process.

2. I don't want to/can't attend meetings but still want to have my say. Is there any way to do this?

Yes. The People's Panel is a survey group that answers questionnaires quarterly (on various topics) and many working groups allow residents to be involved by phone or email. You could also join a 'halo' group, which enables you to receive all the relevant information for that group which you can then comment on without having to attend meetings.

3. What is resident involvement?

Resident Involvement is the name given to informing, consulting and engaging with residents. PHP has a duty to do so, but is committed to resident involvement to make sure our services are as good as they can be. We want to help residents develop themselves and their communities.

4. Does PHP give training to residents?

PHP provides various training courses for residents, some for personal development and others to help residents get involved effectively. We work closely with Poole Adult Learning to provide training and if a lot of residents ask for a particular course, we will try and provide it.

5.I'm a leaseholder – isn't this all for tenants?

No. We recognise that there are very specific issues for leaseholders, and we have a Leaseholder Customer Services Panel specifically for those issues. The Leaseholder Services Officer, Barbara Milburn, should be contacted about this.

6. I'm in sheltered housing – is there anything for residents here?

Yes. There are sheltered housing specific forums and representatives who discuss matters that relate specifically to sheltered housing. Please contact your local Sheltered Housing Officer or the Resident Involvement Co-ordinator for more information.

7. What standards do representatives adhere to?

Representatives must not be in breach of their tenancy agreement or be in rent arrears, and must also sign up to a Code of Conduct which can be found in the related documents section of this page.

8.What are the benefits to residents from involvement?

The biggest benefit is that you have the opportunity to influence, change and improve your neighbourhood and communities e.g. under the neighbourhood improvement scheme. As an LCR you are often the first point of contact for your area with PHP helping to keep us informed of any additional support that might be needed.

We provide transport and care (child or adult) expenses, reconditioned computers and training for involved residents. Representatives also benefit from a Christmas party organized by the Resident Involvement team as a thank you.

9. How long does it take to become a representative?

If a resident is nominated (or nominates themselves) to become a representative, it can take about a month. The Resident Involvement team checks to make sure they are not in breach of their tenancy agreement and then sends a signature sheet to the resident so that they can get (usually 10) signatures from residents in their potential "patch".

When this is sent back, a letter is sent to all residents who would be covered by the new representative, giving them 21 days to make objections. If no objections are received, then the representative is confirmed (again in a letter to all residents) and the induction programme begins!

10. What is the induction programme?

Currently the programme runs over two sessions. Residents come to Beech House for both (although we can visit the resident if necessary). The first covers the main aims of involvement, the opportunities and duties involved in being a representative and the duties of PHP to representatives.

It also gives them a chance to ask more questions, gives them a copy of the Code of Conduct to sign for the next session, and introduces them to Beech House and PHP staff.

We also give them contacts from existing representatives who can answer other questions from a resident point of view. The second session is focused on going through the Code of Conduct fully, as well as the requirements of professionalism and equality and diversity issues.