Team Blackwood has been praised for having the Best Practice In Developing Tenant Scrutiny at the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Scotland Awards.

The organisation was rewarded for its work on gaining tenant feedback on how it deals with matters such as anti-social behaviour and neighbour disputes and also the measures it put in place to ensure it improves its service by using this vital feedback.

Edinburgh-based Blackwood is passionate about its tenants being able to shape its services and has set up a number of scrutiny panels to help gain as much constructive criticism or praise as possible to do so. It has also encouraged many service users to join its Board, allowing input at the top of the organisation.

Having been awarded runner up in the same category last year, Team Blackwood was delighted to go one better this year with the judges recognising its ‘dedication to ensuring the safety and security of its tenants and its ardent engagement with tenant feedback’.

John Landon, Chair of Team Blackwood East, said: “It was a proud moment when Team Blackwood was announced as the winner, especially as this category had the most nominations.

“We’re passionate about hearing from our tenants and reacting to that input, therefore this award is truly coveted and it’s fantastic to gain this kind of recognition - especially in front of our national peer group.”

He added, “We know that to provide top quality care and housing, it’s important to listen to all our tenant’s views so that we can improve our service on a daily basis. At Blackwood, we strive to do this constantly.”

The Best Practice In Developing Tenant Scrutiny Award seeks to recognise those truly led scrutiny opportunities that provide excellent benefits to the lives of service users and profitable improvement to communities.

The work undertaken by Team Blackwood, identified Outcome 6 of the Scottish Social Housing Charter, which incorporates Estate Management, anti-social behaviour, neighbourhood nuisance and tenancy disputes.

The award was presented at St Andrews’ Fairmont Hotel as part of the TPAS National Awards Ceremony and Conference with other prominent care and housing organisations in attendance.