LSBU launches new certificate in leadership with focus on homelessness and housing
First cohort of LSBU School of Business' new PgCert in Leadership and Management specialising in Homelessness and Housing to start this monthLondon South Bank University (LSBU) and the London Housing Foundation (LHF) worked together to develop a new part-time postgraduate certificate for senior managers working in the homelessness and housing sector. LHF granted the School of Business £97,500 to run three cohorts of the course over three years, with the first cohort starting this month.
The course aims to provide senior managers and CEOs in the voluntary housing sector with vital organisational and leadership skills in a third sector context. It was designed in consultation with a board of delegates from a number of leading housing charities and counts towards staff's continuing professional development (CPD).
"LHF's Board was keen to investigate developing a leadership and management programme for committed aspiring leaders in the homelessness and housing sector, especially in these times of austerity, when homelessness and housing can be relegated to a non-priority issue in the face of the economic troubles facing the country and homeless people could face a bleak future," said Margaret Malcolm, acting Director for LHF.
The first cohort of students is comprised of leaders from a number of top housing organisations including St Mungo's Broadway, Thames Reach, Crisis, South London YMCA, Depaul and New Horizon Youth Centre.
"The chance to learn from well-respected figures in the sector and to develop a greater understanding of how to lead and manage in what will be undoubtedly challenging times in our sector was a huge draw," commented Iver Morgan, Head of Volunteering at St Mungo's Broadway.
"By working alongside others in the sector, I will get the chance to expand my knowledge and understanding of homelessness and housing at a time when the organisation I work for is ambitiously driving forward the development of new services for single homeless people, in particular around housing," said Ciara Devlin, Head of New Developments at Crisis.
The course is made up of two brand new modules in Governance and Leadership, and Management for Civil Society, as well as recently-tailored existing modules, like Third Sector Organisational Development.
"All countries are in the midst of an economic crisis and homelessness is a very visible sign of the impact of that. How we respond will be dictated by how well we learn from each other just as much as the resources that are available," said Steve McKinlay, Northern Area Director at Depaul UK.
"The programme at LSBU offers me great professional insight, challenge to accepted practice as well as some much needed modules on accountancy," he commented.