With more than 100 years of experience in learning and knowledge, CIH has collaborated with hundreds of members, tenants and residents, housing organisations and other professional bodies to develop a set of standards that can be used by everyone working in housing, whatever their role or specialism.

The standards identify seven professional characteristics which encourage individuals to reflect on their professional development needs and identify where they can make positive changes. By using the standards, individuals demonstrate their dedication to the sector, develop new and existing behaviours and champion the role housing professionals play in making a difference to the residents and communities they work with every day.

Gavin Smart, chief executive of CIH, said: “We’re delighted to introduce this first phase of our professionalism work, the CIH professional standards.

“We want every housing professional to be recognised for their knowledge, behaviours, resilience and dedication to the sector. I believe that by applying the characteristics and standards, the housing profession will gain a higher degree of trust and credibility. It’s from this position of trust that we can best achieve our purpose – to create a future in which everyone has a place to call home.”

In the coming months, CIH will introduce new tools and materials that work alongside the professional standards to further support individuals and organisations on their professionalism journey. This will include a self-assessment function to score against each of the standards, new training and development content and evolving materials to boost housing professionals’ knowledge and skills.

Callum Chomczuk, CIH Scotland national director, added: “The last 12 months have shown the work housing professionals do and the way we do it has never been more needed.

“That’s why it is so important that all of us who work in housing are seen, and see ourselves, as professionals deserving of the same recognition as some of the other more recognised professions with whom we work so closely.

“These new cross tenure standards, will enable housing professionals to take charge of their personal and professional development, allow them to show what being a housing professional means and impact that housing professionals have on people and communities across the country.”