Welfare Reform – Keeping on TrackHear the latest updates and learn from trial areas

One day conferenceThursday 17 October 2013 America Square Conference Centre, London

Conference guide

Welfare Reform – Keeping on Track

020 7067 1066 events@housing.org.uk 020 7067 1066 events@housing.org.uk

Dear delegate,

On behalf of the National Housing Federation I would like to welcome you to the Welfare Reform Conference.

The programme has been designed to offer you the chance to interact with fellow professionals and gain from their knowledge, so I hope you will take the opportunity to exchange ideas with your peers. To get maximum value from the day, please read the ‘Participation and interactivity’ section in this pack. This will help you define objectives and establish the points you would like to see addressed.

Presentations will be made available to download after the conference. You will be notified by email when they are available.

We also invite you to take part in our online delegate survey. It would be very much appreciated if you could complete the survey to ensure that our conferences meet your expectations in the future.

Inside this pack you will find:

• programme

• speakerbiographies

• participationandinteractivity

• delegateinformation.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your ideas for future conferences, please feel free to contact a member of the Federation team at the registration desk today who would love to hear your feedback and suggestions.

Finally, I would like to extend a warm thank you to our speakers and session chairs for their participation in today’s event.

I hope you enjoy the event.

Chris Bancroft Conference Manager

ExhibitionPlease take time to visit the exhibition, an excellent opportunity to meet leading and innovative suppliers to the sector, to find new ideas and get expert advice. You will find detailed information about exhibitors in the exhibitor list which accompanies this guide.

The exhibition is organised on behalf of the National Housing Federation by Foremarke Exhibitions. For any queries about the exhibition please ask any of Foremarke’s team who will be happy to help.

For information about exhibiting or sponsorship at any of the Federation’s events please contact Julian Hurst at Foremarke on 020 8877 8898 or julian.hurst@foremarke.uk.com

09:00 Registration and refreshments Location: Cornhill

09:50 Welcome and introduction Location: Ludgate

10:00 Opening plenary: Universal Credit – lessons learned so far Location: Ludgate At this key moment in the welfare reform programme, we consider the impact of reforms, Universal Credit roll out and the role housing associations play in supporting the claimant journey. Attend this session to:

● find out what the timetable for roll out means

● understand the support that will be available to you

● discover the lessons learnt from the pathfinder and demonstration projects

● discuss what the impact of reform is ● hear what your peers and tenants think

Speakers: Jean Cooling, Head of Stakeholder and Partner Management, Department for Work and Pensions Stephen Finlay, Research Director, Head of Housing, Planning and Development, Ipsos Mori Chair: Dave Simmonds OBE, Chief Executive, Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion

11:00 Refreshment break Location: Cornhill

Programme

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

To find out more about the CPD Certification Service call 020 8840 383, email info@cpduk.co.uk or visit www.cdpuk.co.uk.

Attendance certificates and self-assessment forms will be available at the registration desk.

11:30 Breakout sessions

B1: The pathfinder experience – what is it really like? Location: Ludgate The pathfinder programme has presented an opportunity to prepare for the huge change in how welfare benefits are calculated and paid. This session will outline:

● how New Charter is practically addressing the issues that are emerging for both tenants and the business

● the challenges and how to meet them ● how they have been preparing tenants for

the change ● their experience of being a landlord in the

pathfinder areaSpeakers:Martin Frost, Deputy Chief Executive, New Charter Housing Association

Julie Vickers, Director of Business Support, New Charter Housing Association Chair: Helen Williams, Assistant Director, National Housing Federation

B2: Budgeting support for Universal Credit Location: Walbrook How will families manage the change to a monthly payment paid direct to one account? Come and hear about how the need for budgeting support will be identified and take a walk through the support process step by step. Speaker: Sandra Robinson, Budgeting Support and Indebtedness, Social Justice, Department for Work and Pensions Chair: Pippa Bell, Policy Officer, National Housing Federation

12:30 Networking lunch Location: Cornhill

020 7067 1066 events@housing.org.uk

Programme

13:30 Breakout sessions

B3: Bank accounts – budgeting tool or obstacle? Location: Ludgate Financial products have a big role to play in supporting people to manage Universal Credit. This session will discuss:

● how pitfalls can be avoided ● what resources are needed to

support people ● how preparing for Universal Credit fits with

wider financial inclusion work Speaker: Sian Williams, Head of Financial Inclusion, Toynbee Hall Chair: Lizzie Clifford, External Affairs Manager, National Housing Federation

B4: Data sharing – who knows what and why? Location: Walbrook This session considers the challenge of data sharing, including:

● how best to support financial independence ● how data sharing could smooth the

customer journey ● the challenges of Universal Credit

Speakers: Wendy Pretten, Head of Income Collection and Community Safety, Places for People Sam Duffy, Project Manager for Welfare Reform and Financial Inclusion, Places for People Chair: Sue Ramsden, Policy Leader, National Housing Federation

14:30 Refreshment break Location: Cornhill

15:00 Plenary two: Better off in work? How can Universal Credit support people into work? Location: Ludgate This panel discussion will explore:

● sanctions and work-related benefit conditions

● the Work Programme and Help to Work under Universal Credit

● how best to support different people into work

● integrating support and collaborating at a local level

Panellists: Duncan Breckell, HR Business Partner, Spectrum Housing Group and Member, Give us a Chance (GUAC) Consortium Maeve McGoldrick, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Community Links Dianna Neal, Head of Economy, Culture and Tourism, London Councils Chair: Kirsty McHugh, Chief Executive, The Employment Related Services Association (ERSA)

15:45 Plenary three: Poverty and the impact on families Location: Ludgate How will the welfare reform programme in its entirety impact on individuals, families and communities? How can housing organisations respond? Join our experts as we consider:

● a squeeze on living standards; a change in family dynamics?

● practical anti-poverty responses from housing associations

● the potential for future, further cuts Speakers: Mike Dixon, Assistant Chief Executive, National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau Peter Fitzhenry, Director of Housing Management, Golden Gates Housing Trust Chair: Helen Williams, Assistant Director, National Housing Federation

16:30 Conference close

Online delegate survey

Please take time to complete our online feedback survey. You will be sent an email with information on how to access the survey directly after the event or you can use the QR Reader on your smartphone to access it from 17:00 today. Alternatively type this link into your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WR1013

020 7067 1066 events@housing.org.uk 020 7067 1066 events@housing.org.uk

Biographies

Duncan Breckell, HR Business Partner, Spectrum Housing Group and Member, Give us a Chance (GUAC) Consortium Biography not available.

Jean Cooling, Head of Stakeholder and Partner Management, Department for Work and PensionsBiography not available.

Mike Dixon, Assistant Chief Executive, National Association of Citizens Advice BureauMike leads on policy research and campaigns, news, strategy, data, digital, communications and fundraising. He previously worked in the Prime Minister’s strategy unit, as special adviser to the secretary of state in two Whitehall departments, and in senior roles in the charity and private sectors.

Sam Duffy, Project Manager for Welfare Reform and Financial Inclusion, Places for PeopleBiography not available.

Stephen Finlay, Research Director, Head of Housing, Planning and Development, Ipsos MoriStephen has been conducting housing research for more than 10 years and is currently conducting a range of research on welfare reform for the National Housing Federation, government and the sector more widely.

Peter Fitzhenry, Director of Housing Management, Golden Gates Housing Trust Peter works for Golden Gates Housing Trust, Warrington’s recent LSVT. His experience covers over 25 years in the public sector including working for London boroughs, city councils and district and unitary authorities. His main areas of interest are around housing, e-government, efficiency and procurement, welfare benefits and process re-engineering.

Martin Frost, Deputy Chief Executive, New Charter Housing AssociationMartin has responsibility for New Charter’s finances. Since 2000 he has ensured that the Group has achieved the highest viability standard from the regulator. His wider role as deputy chief executive allows him to deliver a financial strategy which manages risk in the context of delivering community sustainability.

Maeve McGoldrick, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Community LinksMaeve leads on Community Link’s policy and campaigning work on poverty, welfare and employment. Other policy areas include the introduction of the new benefits system Universal Credit, employment support provision, including the contractual design and delivery of the Work Programme and Jobcentre Plus reform, labour market policy and payment by results and social finance service provision models. Previously Maeve held policy and campaigning roles with the British Youth Council and ATD, Fourth World.

Dianna Neal, Head of Economy, Culture and Tourism, London Councils Biography not available.

Wendy Pretten, Head of Income Collection and Community Safety, Places for PeopleWendy is leading on the welfare reform changes for the Places for People Group and chairs a group of housing associations working with the DWP to influence data sharing for universal credit. Wendy is also currently a trustee for LIFT a London based charity supporting homeless people to gain housing and employment. She was previously regional housing director at William Sutton Homes, and was also on the board of Bolton Community Homes, a member of Leeds Renew, the Manchester RSL Forum and the Salford Strategic Partnership.

Sandra Robinson, Budgeting Support and Indebtedness, Social Justice, Department for Work and PensionsSandra is a civil servant with over 30 years experience. She has worked on Universal Credit since its inception in July 2010 as the DWP business architect leading the business design. Since early 2012, Sandra has led the development of personal budgeting support from strategy through to implementation in pathfinder.

Julie Vickers, Director of Business Support, New Charter Housing AssociationJulie has responsibility for all aspects of income management, IT and payroll for the New Charter Group with a key element being the billing, collection and recovery of £80m annually. Welfare reform presents a huge challenge to achieving this. She sees the key to success as the delivery of strategy which supports tenants, engages staff and in doing so, delivers business viability.

Sian Williams, Head of Financial Inclusion, Toynbee HallSian is responsible for all financial inclusion programmes, including Transact, the national forum for financial inclusion, financial inclusion training and strategic consultancy, and front-line and train the trainer financial capability programmes. Sian previously undertook a range of policy, management, training and representational roles in the UK and overseas within her 15 year career as a British diplomat with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, specialising in economic development and financial services in the Far East.

020 7067 1066 events@housing.org.uk

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Contact our team today to find out more on 0800 0014 706 or visit www.myhomeenergyswitch.org.uk

My Home Energy

Coming

Help your tenants cut their energy billsMy Home Energy Switch is an energy supply service from the National Housing Federation to help tenants reduce their energy bills. This service is completely free and impartial.

How does it work? All tenants need to do is call 0800 0014 706 or go to www.myhomeenergyswitch.org.uk with their postcode and a current energy bill. The My Home Energy Switch team will do the rest.

L13-755 USwitch ad.indd 1 27/09/2013 15:46

Participation and interactivity

The National Housing Federation strives to produce conferences that maximise our delegates’ objectives – whether that’s networking, gaining practical or tangible learnings or inspiration for taking a particular idea forward. To ensure that you extract the maximum value from the day, we would encourage you to get involved as much as possible to shape your learning experience.

Live discussionIf you have something to say about the conference, join the discussion on Twitter #NHFWelfare13You can also follow us @natfednews.

Be vocalWe have built in a number of opportunities for you to put questions to our speakers so don’t hesitate to put your hand up during the Q&A.

Get chattingSome of the most lucrative and valuable relationships have been made through event networking on-site. Speaking to your peers provides an unrivalled opportunity to make contacts, share best practice or simply bounce ideas off one another. We have built in a number of networking breaks throughout the day and we encourage you to make the most of them. If there is anyone in particular you wish to meet, please make this known to one of the conference staff and we will endeavour to facilitate this.

Delegate informationConference surveyThe National Housing Federation values your comments about the quality of the conference programme and facilities. Delegates are asked to complete an online survey which will help plan future events and deliver the maximum benefit. Keep an eye out for the email with a link to the survey. Alternatively use the QR code or go directly to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WR1013

Refreshments and lunchAll refreshments and lunch will be served in the Cornhill room. If you have advised us of any special dietary requirements, please contact a member of staff.

Name badges You will have been given a name badge upon registration. For security reasons, and as a courtesy to other delegates, please ensure that you wear it at all times.

Emergency procedureIn the event of an emergency, delegates shouldmake their way quickly and calmly to the nearest exit without collecting their belongings. In the event of an emergency procedure or evacuation, delegates should follow the guidance and instructions of the venue staff, and subsequently, the emergency services (if applicable).

Mobile phonesDelegates are reminded that mobile phonesmust be switched to silent during all conference sessions.

Security and personal belongingsWe advise that you keep your valuables in the cloakroom facility or with you at all times. We ask you to mark your conference documentation with your name so we are able to return them to you if lost. We regret that neither the Federation nor the venue can be held responsible for loss or damage to property.

DisclaimerThis programme is correct at the time of going to press. In the event of one or more of the advertised speakers being unable to attend, for reasons beyond the control of the conference organisers, we reserve the right to make alterations or substitutions to the programme as deemed fit. All timings are provisional and may be subject to change. Views expressed by speakers are their own. The National Housing Federation disclaims any liability for advice given or views expressed by any speaker at the event or in notes or documentation provided to delegates.

PresentationsHelp us to protect the environment – downloadspeaker presentations from our website.We are fully committed to reducing our impact on the environment and engendering the same approach from our members and the wider sector. We therefore do not produce presentation materials for our delegates. Presentations will be uploaded to www.housing.org.uk/events/presentations within seven days and they will be available for three months.

The National Housing Federation is the voice of affordable housing in England. We believe that everyone should have the home they need at a price they can afford. That’s why we represent the work of housing associations and campaign for better housing.

Our members provide two and a half million homes for more than five million people. And each year they invest in a diverse range of neighbourhood projects that help create strong, vibrant communities.

Forthcoming events23 October 2013 Treasury Management Conference, America Square Conference Centre, London

18 March 2014 Housing Association National Accountancy Awards (HANAAs), National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham

19–20 March 2014 Housing Finance Conference and Exhibition 2014, University of Warwick, Coventry

For a brochure on any of these events visit www.housing.org.uk/events or email marketing@housing.org.uk stating the conference name and we will send you information.

For details of all our forthcoming events and for the latest news and policy updates visit the National Housing Federation’s website www.housing.org.uk

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Join in the conversation #NHFWelfare13

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National Housing Federation, Lion Court, 25 Procter Street, London, WC1V 6NYTel: 020 7067 1066 Fax: 020 7067 1015 events@housing.org.uk www.housing.org.uk