Our Housing Officers complete quarterly inspections on all our properties to make sure they are being maintained to Cares high standards. This enables them to build relationships with staff and tenants and allows them to keep a check on the property for any repairs that may not have been reported or issues that have not been highlighted.
This year we decided to give a card to our tenants at each inspection to show if the visit went well or not, and a comment section for the housing officers to give feedback. If the tenant gets 4 positive inspections, they are placed in an annual draw to win £50 worth of vouchers of their choice.
Our Housing Officer, Claire Atkinson, felt as there was only one voucher winner annually, everyone else with 4 positive inspections should be recognised for all their hard work. She took the matter into her own hands and designed the Home Check Award which is a certificate of recognition. She designed several options and we voted on our favourite design as a staff team. The certificate is given to all tenants who get 4 positive inspections as a keepsake and recognition of their hard work.
This is part of Cares ongoing work to engage with our tenants in a positive and interactive way.