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The Social Housing Round Table

Author: Matthew Baird

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Join Matthew Baird for a free, weekly networking forum discussing anything and everything in Social Housing with a different guest speaker each week.

The idea?

To challenge the mindset that the sector can’t be changed with small steps as well as large ones whilst giving everyone a free voice for change.
134 Episodes
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In this Round Table, Matt Baird hosts a discussion on the legal challenges shaping the social housing sector today. The panel explores compliance obligations, governance responsibilities, and the importance of embedding good practice to stay ahead of regulatory change. From risk management to resident rights, this conversation offers clear and practical guidance for leaders navigating an increasingly complex legal landscape. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
What do you learn when you sit down with 50 housing leaders across the UK and ask what’s really going on? In this Alertacall-supported episode, technologist and social entrepreneur James Batchelor joins Matt Baird to share five standout themes gathered from dozens of conversations with senior leaders across the sector. The session covers everything from poverty, safeguarding and service erosion to repairs, frontline training, and digital readiness. Expect candid insight, serious challenges — and real optimism for what could change if the sector chooses to act.
Bridging Generations, Building Communities: Lessons from Sweden’s SällBo Project In this powerful international edition of The Social Housing Round Table, Dragana Curovic from Eurhonet (the European Housing Network) joins Matt Baird to share the story behind SällBo – an innovative, multi-generational housing project in Sweden designed to combat loneliness, strengthen community ties, and challenge assumptions about who belongs together. From cultural integration to design thinking, Dragana unpacks how bringing together older people, refugees, and young adults under one roof not only worked, but thrived. This conversation explores what happens when providers trust people to self-organise, why housing design matters, and what the UK can learn from reimagining community from the ground up. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
In this episode of The Social Housing Round Table, we were joined by Simon Nunn (NHF) and Alexandra Gibson (CIH) to discuss collaboration, community and the upcoming Housing Community Summit. This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the Summit was developed, why it’s rooted in sector-wide collaboration and the shared goal of building a stronger, more connected social housing community. Simon and Alex also reflected on what true community engagement means in practice, how the two organisations work together across differences and why the sector can’t afford to operate in silos. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
In this Round Table session, host Matt Baird leads an open discussion on how leaders in social housing are building trust, managing change, and adopting new technologies. The panel shares practical examples of engaging with residents, navigating regulatory expectations, and using innovation to create positive impact. Listeners will come away with actionable insights to strengthen relationships, improve services, and prepare for the future of housing. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
In this Round Table session, host Matt Baird brings together industry leaders for a candid conversation on the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s landscape. From evolving customer expectations to the future of AI-powered solutions, the discussion explores practical strategies and forward-looking insights. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or actionable takeaways, this session delivers a thoughtful look at what’s next and how to prepare for it. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
In this episode of The Social Housing Round Table, Janine Green takes a candid look at leadership, not just in the boardroom, but at every level of the housing sector. She explores why inspiring others, challenging poor practice and fostering a culture of growth has never been more critical. With resources stretched, complaints rising and complex cases on the increase, Janine argues that leadership is a choice we make daily, not a title we hold. Tune in for practical insights on how to model the behaviours that drive genuine, lasting change. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
This week’s Social Housing Round Table welcomed Guy Horne, CEO of HSPG, for an in‑depth look at how we can prevent temporary accommodation from bankrupting local authorities. The conversation ranged widely — from the structural causes of the current crisis to new approaches in homelessness prevention, future rent convergence, shared ownership, commercial-social partnerships, acquisitions, and the realities of working effectively with local authorities. Packed with sector insight and grounded in real-world challenges, this is an essential listen for anyone interested in housing finance, homelessness, and sustainable solutions for local councils. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
When Jamie Adam of Berneslai Homes stepped in at short notice to lead The Social Housing Round Table, the conversation that followed proved anything but last minute. Exploring the layered reality of “communities within communities within communities,” Jamie unpacked the challenges and opportunities that social landlords face in connecting with – and truly understanding – the people they serve. From practical engagement to cultural understanding, this episode shines a light on how deep-rooted community structures work, how they overlap, and why one-size-fits-all approaches often fall flat. An insightful, energising conversation that asks the big questions about the role of housing providers in the heart of our communities. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
This week’s Round Table tackled a deceptively simple question: what does it really mean to be competent and qualified in social housing? Led by Samantha Whenman, this session sparked honest debate about skills, standards, assumptions and accountability across the sector. With over 60 attendees, the conversation highlighted just how complex and overdue this discussion is. From formal qualifications to lived experience, and from regulatory frameworks to on-the-ground realities, this session asked the sector to reflect on what it values, and how that translates into practice. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
This week’s Round Table focused on a vital question for the future of the sector: how are young people experiencing careers in social housing today? Led by Meghan Rank and members of CIH Futures, this powerful session explored early career journeys, the structural barriers many face and what the sector must do to retain and support younger professionals. You’ll also hear about the CIH Futures survey currently live - created to give voice to those under 35 working in housing and inform action on issues like progression, recognition, burnout and inclusivity. A must-listen for anyone thinking seriously about the future of the workforce. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
In this special leadership-focused episode of The Social Housing Round Table, sponsored by Alertacall, we were joined by Evie Copeland, Director of Customers and Communities at Berwickshire Housing Association. Evie brought honesty, experience and ambition to a wide-ranging discussion on transformational change through outstanding customer and stakeholder engagement. She shared what’s worked, what’s been hard and what it really takes to lead change from within. Key discussion points included: – The barriers to real engagement in a sector under pressure – Lessons from Berwickshire’s approach to culture and communication – How senior leaders can create space for trust, feedback and experimentation This conversation is essential listening. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
This week’s Round Table gave space to an important moment in the social housing calendar: the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Vice-Presidential election. Five candidates — Evie Copeland, Thomas Sutton, Katrina Henshaw, Paul Smith and Hony Premlal — joined Matt Baird for an open conversation about their vision, motivations and hopes for the future of the sector. Expect: – Honest reflections on lived and professional experience – A range of perspectives – A shared belief in collaboration, equity and accountability This was an unusually open forum for a leadership discussion — one where everyone got a voice. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
In this ASB Awareness Week special, the Social Housing Round Table welcomed Sharon Murphy and Jack Madge from Green & Burton ASB Associates to explore one of the most debated questions in the sector: What if an ASB case isn't ASB? With over 115 attendees from across the sector, the conversation tackled: – How we define anti-social behaviour – The difference between criminality, nuisance and neighbour disputes – Why victim-centred approaches and partnership working are essential – And where accountability begins and ends It was a thoughtful, challenging and highly relevant discussion that underlined the importance of compassion, clarity and collaboration in responding to complex cases. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
What does it look like when a housing provider fully commits to listening, reflecting and responding to feedback—not just in principle, but in practice? In this episode, Joe Williams from Settle joins Matt Baird to share an honest and refreshingly open account of their approach to feedback, culture change and continual improvement. Joe doesn’t gloss over what’s gone wrong. Instead, he shares the real journey: from discomfort and pushback to meaningful progress. Expect thoughtful insights on: – What it takes to build a feedback-led culture – Why accountability must be shared, not siloed – How resident voice is shaping real change at Settle This is one of the most reflective and constructive conversations we’ve had, tune in today! Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
This week’s Social Housing Round Table sponsored by Devonshires focused on a sensitive but essential topic: inquests. Joined by Samantha Grix and Charlotte Greatorex of Devonshires, the session shed light on what happens when a resident dies, what landlords can expect from the inquest process, and how responsibility is examined and understood. Key themes included: – When and how landlords are held accountable – The role of evidence, communication, and context – The emotional and legal expectations of families, staff, coroners and the Ombudsman A rare and necessary conversation that every provider should hear. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
In this episode of The Social Housing Round Table, James Green of Breathe Pure joins Matt Baird to shine a light on one of the sector’s most urgent and frustrating issues: damp and mould. With honesty and urgency, James challenges the sector’s complacency, calling out the gap between intent and action five years after the tragic death of Awaab Ishak. The session explores: – The real human cost of poor living conditions – Whether the sector has the willingness to act – What needs to change now to prevent further tragedy An unfiltered, emotional conversation that cuts through excuses and calls for real accountability. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
In this week’s powerful episode of The Social Housing Round Table, Elaine Middleton led a frank and impassioned discussion around the sector’s willingness—or reluctance—to change. Drawing on insights from both social and private housing, Elaine made the case that if the sector continues to resist evolution, it risks a catastrophic collapse. From resident voice and trust, to structural rigidity and decision-making, nothing was off the table. Expect passionate contributions, uncomfortable truths, and a call to action for leaders across housing to stop talking and start doing. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
Chris Holloway of Greatwell Homes joins us this week to discuss TSMs, complaints and accuracy. Are the TSM scores accurate? What constitutes a good service score? And how can we improve this all through collaboration?
This week’s Social Housing Round Table featured Jo Leckie and Clare Paterson, who returned to the Round Table to share findings from their benchmarking survey on Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) in the housing sector. The session unpacked why 'good data' isn’t always the right data, and why tenants’ voices must be given equal weight alongside performance indicators and system outputs. With nearly 70 attendees from across the sector, the discussion highlighted the need to break down silos, rebuild trust and rethink how and why we collect the information we do. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.
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