‘Gaining Access for Safety Checks in Social Housing’: ASCP Launches New White Paper Addressing the ‘No-Access’ Challenge
4 April 2024
The Association of Safety and Compliance Professionals (ASCP) has addressed one of the biggest barriers to improving safety in homes with the launch of their latest White Paper, Gaining Access for Safety Checks in Social Housing.
Access is the ‘elephant in the room’ when it comes to safety and compliance. It hugely expensive and problematic, in fact research carried out by the ASCP suggests that tackling the issue of hard to access properties costs the sector in excess of £100 million a year. More importantly, it is also one of the most significant barriers standing in the way of making homes safer for residents. For too long access has been seen as a ‘compliance issue’ alone, and yet the potential repercussions are far wider. That is why the ASCP’s White Paper is calling for a broader and more comprehensive approach to tackling the problem.
The culmination of exhaustive research and collaboration with ASCP members over the last year; this new White Paper offers a deep dive into the challenge of no-access. It seeks to shed light on the complex legal position, with contributions from Simon Allison, a specialist barrister described in the Legal 500 as “one of the best barristers in the property field.” Through case studies and best practice examples, it presents actionable strategies for addressing this complex and multifaceted issue and ensure the safety of homes whilst still respecting the rights and dignity of residents.
Matt Sharp, CEO of the ASCP Group urges all stakeholders to engage with the paper, “I know that housing professionals will find this a useful guide and resource,” says Matt, “but I also hope that it can serve as a starting point for robust discussion and debate across the whole sector”. Group President Claire Heyes echoes this sentiment, emphasising the urgent need for collective, innovative action. "The ASCP's white paper serves as a call to arms for the entire sector to address access challenges comprehensively and collaboratively," she says. "By pooling our expertise and resources, we can develop practical solutions that ensure the safety and well-being of residents while maintaining compliance with regulations."
The White Paper can be downloaded here: Gaining Access for Safety Checks in Social Housing
The ASCP invites members, social housing professionals, and stakeholders to engage with the white paper, contribute insights, and participate in discussions to drive positive change within the sector.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Emma Bradbury Gattens
About The ASCP: The Association of Safety and Compliance Professionals (ASCP) is the leading community for safely managing social housing assets and wider facilities management. We provide a voice for you to raise safety and compliance standards, helping you to keep your residents safe. For more information visit https://www.theascp.co.uk/
