The first ever accredited qualification for the homelessness workforce has been launched to help frontline staff develop their skills.

Launched by Homeless Link, the membership body for homelessness organisations, and the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), the Level 3 qualification in Providing Homelessness Services is the result of a consultation by Homeless Link on professional accreditation following a recommendation of the Kerslake Commission.

Homeless Link subsequently developed and ran a successful pilot in collaboration with CIH, which saw 26 staff from six homelessness services complete the qualification.

Taken over 20 weeks, the new qualification aims to give frontline staff the comprehensive skills and knowledge to practically support someone who is experiencing or at risk of homelessness, while understanding their needs and focusing on their strengths.

Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, said: ‘Until now, there has been no professional qualification for the homelessness sector – as there has been for the social care sector – which recognises the complexity of the work carried out by frontline staff. Our members have told us that they are struggling to recruit quality staff in the current climate, and this new qualification aims to address this issue.

‘Following the successful pilot, we are delighted to roll this course out nationwide to support our members and the sector to enhance staff learning and development and offer a high, consistent standard of support to people experiencing homelessness.’

Sarah Dunkerley, director of professional development at the Chartered Institute of Housing, commented: ‘We’re extremely excited that, following the success of the qualification pilot, we’re able to open this course up to the wider housing and homelessness sector. Completing a qualification is a fantastic way of establishing yourself as a professional, ensuring you have the theoretical knowledge, key skills and learning to perform your day job at the highest level.’

Dr Jan Sheldon, chief executive of Norwich-based homelessness charity, St Martins, said: ‘Putting our team members on an accredited course that properly reflects the work they do is really important. We must recognise the professionalism, the knowledge, the skills and the experience of our workforce and ensure they receive the recognition they truly deserve. A qualification will also help to bring people into the sector, which we need to do as well in terms of recruitment and retention.’