ASSET MANAGEMENT THROUGH THE RESIDENTS LENS

Decent, well maintained and energy efficient homes are what all residents want and need. Asset management strategies should promote investment that keeps homes safe and warm, free from damp, mould and condensation and affordable to heat.

CHIC CONFERENCE 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

THE EXHIBITION – NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATIONS

Exhibition bookings are now open for registration. We have a variety of stand spaces and sponsorship opportunities available. Be sure to secure your place as soon as possible.

Newbuild Framework

This new 8-year Framework for construction works and consultancy services will cater for a wide range of project types, from small infill and garage sites to large estate regeneration projects including newbuild, refurbishment/retrofit and cross subsidy housing for sale. It also provides MMC solutions including fully modular, frame & panel and turnkey options. This framework is in the latter stages of the procurement process with it expected to be live for members in February. We will be hosting an event on 7^th March to officially launch the framework, so be sure to keep up to date on our LinkedIn page.

Healthy Homes Framework

To support our members in their work to decarbonise their residents’ homes, this framework will include consultants, contractors and digital solutions for sustainable, cost effective and socially responsible retrofitting and property safety measures. CHIC welcomes tender submissions from consultants, suppliers and contractors for this framework, from SME’s to Tier 1 contractors. The deadline for submissions is 2nd February 2024.

Legal Services Framework

CHIC’s current Legal Services Framework expires on 30th June 2024. It is intended that a replacement Framework agreement will be in place from July 2024. We are currently informing Legal firms who have either participated in previous CHIC framework procurement or expressed interest to register on the CHIC eSourcing platform in preparation for the tender launch.

There will be four Lots:

1. Corporate, Governance and Finance
2. Housing and Asset Management
3. Development
4. Property

Other Frameworks

CHIC is also going to be tendering to establish some replacement 4-year frameworks for planned works, now split into three new frameworks as below. Tenders will be opening in the coming weeks with an expected live date in Q2 of 2024:

Kitchens & Bathrooms - installation of kitchens, bathrooms, and associated goods, for residential properties.

M&E (Mechanical and Electrical) - covering a broad spectrum of heating and related systems. This includes services aimed at enabling members to maintain heating systems, electrical components and fulfill renewable energy obligations.

Passive Fire Protection - for the inspection, installation, repair and maintenance of passive fire stopping products. This includes critical services such as the creation of fire compartments, installation of fire doors, external wall systems/cladding and fire signage, ensuring that fire safety in residential and commercial properties is a top priority.

If you have any questions about upcoming CHIC framework and DPS solutions, please get in touch with Ade Osunsanmi, Head of Procurement, at aosunsanmi@chicltd.co.uk

CHIP is our aligned charity to ensure that social value dividends are delivered as a direct result of CHIC’s asset management and procurement activities.

One of CHIP’s commitments is to work with and financially support Local Employment Groups (LEGs) in the main regions of CHIC’s active members, to secure permanent employment for people who are disadvantaged or distant from the workplace, including:

BOUNCE BACK – A CHIP PARTNER STORY

We are delighted to provide a report on the outcomes of the initial funding agreement in 2022 between Bounce Back and CHIP. Bounce Back is a Charity and Social Enterprise focussed on training and unemployment for ex-offenders.

BOUNCE BACK RECEIVED FUNDING TO HELP SUPPORT TEN INDIVIDUALS AND THEY HAVE TOLD CHIP:

Our work has always been driven by our belief that sustainable employment allows participants to lift themselves out of poverty, moving to a place of financial inclusion rather than exclusion – often a catalyst for reoffending. To ensure the sustainability of our participants’ employment, our Case Managers closely track their progress at regular intervals. We are happy to report that three of our participants have sustained their role for over 6 months. With ongoing support including career guidance our participants can focus on their employment and recognise their value. This, in turn, encourages them to pursue promotions, additional responsibilities, or seek out roles that enable them to develop in their careers. We are always so proud when our participants reach this milestone and do all we can to support them beyond the 6-month mark.

We are also happy to report that seven participants have completed training with courses including CSCS, Painting & Decorating and our City & Guilds Digital Badges, also sponsored by CHIP. Through detailed skills analysis participants identify which skills they want to progress and build upon. Reflecting this, their Case Manager will help source suitable training opportunities, both internally and with our external training partners. The seven participants undertook training that helped them progress into employment or has equipped them with the skills and qualifications to progress within their careers.

PARTICIPANT’S STORY

SCOTT

Scott is a participant with neurodivergent needs who had a previous career in TV production. With a passion for technology and arts Scott was keep to upskill and apply his previous experience in his career going forward. Scott had some fears around working with new people and conventional learning environments due to issues at school with bullying. He struggled to make eye contact and close contact with other people made him feel nervous.

Scott attended our 1-week CSCS course and whilst initially he was very reserved and kept himself separate from the rest of the learning group, his Case Manager alongside the tutor worked closely alongside Scott to put things in place to make him feel more comfortable and monitored his progress. Scott passed his CSCS with flying colours and is now engaging with Bounce Back’s Level 1 Painting & Decorating course. He has also enrolled onto our Microsoft Embrace Mentoring programme, where he’ll be assisted with his CV, employability skills and will also connect with Microsoft employment pathways to help nurture his creative ambitions.

MORE ABOUT BOUNCE BACK

Bounce Back works with people both inside and outside of prison who may be at risk of or have a history of offending and substance use. We are focussed on supporting people to change the direction of their lives and reduce offending, to shape a society where everyone can look forward to a bright future.  We firmly believe everyone has the ability to change and should be given the opportunity to do so.

At Bounce Back we do this by providing people with support every step of the way, for as long as they need – everything they need to be work-ready, apply for and sustain a job.

We offer training and skills that employers want and need now and in the future, that can lead to good jobs with prospects.

Find out more at: https://www.bouncebackproject.com/

Graduate Apprentice – My Journey so far

I started my journey after becoming an economics graduate with an accountancy internship and then working as a customer service representative. What I didn't anticipate was that the next step of my professional career would be at CHIC as a Graduate Apprentice – which I applied for so I can learn more varied professional skills. I joined CHIC in April 2023 and it has been a rewarding eight months so far.

Member Services

CHIC's two year apprenticeship rotates through different business functions, giving a hands on understanding of the organisation whilst learning new skills along the way. As an economics graduate, this opportunity was particularly interesting – a chance to bridge theory with real world applications in a sector I had never considered before.

I started in the Member Services Team, the ‘client’ facing function within CHIC. My role involved working with the regional leads in supporting members to procure and mobilise new contracts. It was great learning about how the sector works and supporting members to put contracts in place for new services.

Identifying potential CHIC members also became a core part of my responsibilities. This allowed me to enhance my research and analysis skills, connecting the dots between CHIC’s services and potential members.

A key highlight working with Member Services was getting involved in member moderation meetings, forming part of the tender process. These sessions added a layer of involvement that helped me to really understand what our members need.

Procurement

I have now moved into the Procurement team, where I am involved in the varying and granular aspects of the procurement process, from assisting in the management of mini competitions for members through Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS) and Frameworks, to providing support for tender applications and maintaining our internal supplier database.

My responsibilities also include processing tender queries and participating in all stages of the tender process, from publishing expressions of interest (EOIs’) to framework and contract awards, all through our e-sourcing software. Each day presents a new challenge, but it is fulfilling to be part of a vibrant and growing team in helping to mitigate risks and provide a great customer service.

Working at CHIC

CHIC’s dynamic environment is particularly interesting as different tasks and processes challenge me to think critically and swiftly. It is a fast paced atmosphere, allowing not only my technical growth but also an understanding of the importance of teamwork and strategic thinking. Working at CHIC has also allowed me to take part in social value initiatives such as volunteering and raising money through last year’s Steps Challenge, where we successfully raised £1,200 for CHIP.

Reflecting on my journey at CHIC so far, I'm grateful for the learning curve, the opportunity to contribute and the collaboration with skilled professionals. This apprenticeship has been rewarding, learning more about myself and developing my professional skills. As I navigate through the other departments at CHIC, I'm eager for the new lessons and experiences that lie ahead. This graduate apprenticeship has been insightful and I'm confident the skills I am learning will help to shape my future career aspirations.

Written by Haris Habib
CHIC Graduate Apprentice

 


More about CHIC / CHIP Social Value

Communities and Housing Investment in People (CHIP) is a charity funded by CHIC to work with Local Employment Groups to support people distant from the workplace into employment and to support CHIC’s members’ communities through grants and other social value initiatives.

CHIC funds a graduate apprentice who works within the CHIC team. Haris Habib was appointed in April 2023 to undertake a two year apprenticeship, working within each of the functional CHIC teams during his tenure.

Social value is at the heart of all of CHIC’s procurement solutions. By building social value into contracts we ensure consistent, measurable and meaningful outcomes, delivered through the following initiatives:

 

ASSET MANAGEMENT THROUGH THE RESIDENTS LENS

Decent, well maintained and energy efficient homes are what all residents want and need. Asset management strategies should promote investment that keeps homes safe and warm, free from damp, mould and condensation and affordable to heat.

CHIC CONFERENCE 2023 HIGHLIGHTS