The Supporting Vulnerable Tenants Conference 2026: Safeguarding Vulnerable Residents in a Changing Housing Landscape
Past Supporters include:
Overview
For vulnerable tenants, poor housing can have life-changing consequences. The introduction of regulatory changes like Awaab’s Law and the Renters’ Rights reforms are designed to prevent harm and give tenants greater security, but many still struggle to access safe, supportive housing. Housing providers must take a more proactive and joined-up approach to safeguarding and tenancy sustainment.
- Around three in five households (61%) in the social rented sector had one or more household members with a long-term illness or disability (English Housing Survey 2024-2025)
- 27% of social renters struggled to pay their rent during 2023/24 (English Housing Survey, 2023-2024)
- Just under one in 10 (8%) of social renters reported experiencing homelessness in the last few years (English Housing Survey, 2023-2024)
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Anne Power, Emeritus Professor of Social Policy, Head of LSE Housing and Communities, London School of Economics (invited)
Keynote: Delivering for Vulnerable Tenants in a New Regulatory Era
- Understanding what the strengthened Consumer Standards mean in practice for housing providers
- Outlining the Safety and Quality Standard and expectations around repairs, damp and mould, and property condition
- Strategies for robust identification and management of vulnerability
- Common areas of risk and how to address these effectively
Kate Henderson, Chief Executive, National Housing Federation (invited)
Keynote: Creating a Culture of Safeguarding in Housing Service Provision
- What a strong safeguarding culture looks like in housing settings
- Supporting frontline staff to recognise risk and escalate concerns
- Learning from safeguarding failures and serious incidents
- Embedding safeguarding into everyday practice rather than policy alone
Senior Representation, The Safeguarding Alliance (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Exploring different experiences of poverty in social housing
Rebecca Rieley, Head of Communities and Projects, HACT (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Case Study: Supporting Immigrants & Asylum Seekers: The London Strategic Migration Partnership
- Hear how barriers to essential services, uncertainty, and often inadequate conditions can exacerbate social vulnerability
- Learn best practice to leverage support networks across NGOs, Local Councils, and other institutions to ensure the best service possible is afforded to these already vulnerable individuals
- Discover collaborative approaches that improve coordination, efficiency, and outcomes for service delivery
- Examine strategies to ensure dignified, equitable, and effective support for individuals in already vulnerable circumstances
Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, London Assembly (invited)
Case Study: Meeting the Needs of Disabled Tenants
- Identifying common barriers around accessibility and communication
- Understanding tenants’ rights and reasonable adjustments
- Real examples of adaptations and inclusive service design
- Building tenant involvement into decisions about their homes
Kamran Mallick, CEO, Disability Rights UK (invited)
Questions and Answers
Lunch Break
Breakout Networking: Working in Partnership to Deliver Safe, Secure Homes
This breakout networking session will provide an opportunity to explore how effective partnership working can improve outcomes for vulnerable tenants. Delegates will have the chance to connect with peers, share experiences of working across housing, health, social care and the voluntary sector, and discuss practical ways to strengthen collaboration, improve information-sharing and deliver more joined-up support for residents.
Case Study: Responding to Mental Health Crisis in Housing Settings
- Understanding the housing-related risks associated with mental ill health
- Supporting tenants during crisis while managing risk and safeguarding duties
- Working effectively with health services and crisis teams
- Supporting staff wellbeing and confidence in difficult situations
Chris Harris, Associate Director of Housing, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (invited)
Case Study: How Allocation Policies Affect Domestic Abuse Survivors with Housing-related Debt
- Understanding how housing-related debt rules create barriers for domestic abuse survivors
- Outlining the impact of economic abuse on arrears, housing options and tenancy security
- Gaps in current allocation policies and safeguarding approaches
- Practical recommendations for housing providers and local authorities
Katherine Brickell, Professor of Urban Studies, Kings College London (invited)
Question and Answers
Comfort Break
Case Study: Strengthening Relationships with Vulnerable Tenants to Ensure They are Heard and Supported
- Sharing initiatives to improve engagement with residents and identify tenants in need of extra support
- Creating outreach programmes and forums that facilitate two-way conversations and the co-production of support services
- Proactive ways to embed a culture of transparency and accountability that prioritises vulnerable tenant wellbeing
John Hoarey, Head of Dispute Resolution, Housing Ombudsman (invited)
Case Study: Addressing Anti-Social Behaviour While Safeguarding Vulnerable Tenants
- Understanding the link between ASB, vulnerability and safeguarding
- Balancing enforcement with support and early intervention
- Working with partners to reduce harm and community impact
- Protecting staff and residents while sustaining tenancies
Jon Cox, Founder and Chair, National Safeguarding and Housing Best Practice Group (invited)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Previous Speakers
Fuad Mahmed
CEO and Founder
ACH Housing
Professor Caroline Hunter
Head of York Law School
University of York
Zoe Miller
Compliance and Systemic Investigations Manager
Housing Ombudsman
Dr Edward Kirton-Darling
Senior Lecturer
University of Bristol
Dr Kelly Henderson CIHCM
Founder & Managing Director
Addressing Domestic Abuse
Nick Connolly
CEO
EveryYouth
Testimonials
“Informative and interesting, speakers knowledgeable and shared good practice”
“It was a great conference, lots of good practice ideas were shared and the variety of guest speakers provided strong insight into how vulnerable tenants can be supported by the Housing sector.”
“Excellent speakers, and the online event software was easy to navigate.”
“Really informative and great opportunity to network”
Why You Should Attend?
Why Attend?
✓High-level keynotes from senior Housing & Policy professionals
✓Hear best practices in supporting those with complex needs
✓ Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285
Who Should Attend?
| Job Title Example | Organisation Examples |
| Service Provider | Local Authorities |
| Housing Officer | Housing Associations |
| Head Of Tenancy | Supported Living Providers |
| Case Worker | Property Management Orgs |
| Counsellor | NGOs, Thinktanks, Gov. |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship
Raise Your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
