Salix Homes named amongst first organisations to achieve building safety accreditation

Salix Homes has become one of the first organisations to complete the first stage of a new building safety accreditation scheme.

Building A Safer Future has announced the first group of organisations to be awarded its Certificate of Commitment and Progress – Building Safety Stage One: Leadership and Culture, having completed Stage 1 in its new building safety culture change programme.

The Building a Safer Future Charter, launched in July 2019, was developed by a group of early adopters comprising four local authorities, four housing associations, including Salix Homes, and four contractors. Applications to become Registered Signatories of the Charter first opened in May 2020, followed by the pilot of the Champion assessment process in August 2021.

Dame Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety and Chair of the Industry Safety Steering Group, commented: “This initiative to create the Building a Safer Future charter framework has received strong encouragement from the outset from the Industry Safety Steering Group, which I chair.

“I want to applaud those who are receiving their Part 1 awards. You are leaders and can take pride in the progress you have made on the journey. We now need many more to commit to following the example you have set of driving culture change for the right reasons rather than waiting for regulators to drive the change.”

The BSF Champion assessment process gives companies detailed insight into their existing leadership and culture around building safety and equips them with actionable data and practical tools to help review and upgrade processes and regain public trust.

Sue Sutton, Chief Executive at Salix Homes, said: “Completing the first stage of the BSF Charter Champion assessment marks the next stage in the building safety journey for Salix Homes and another important step in making sure that the safety of residents remains the highest priority during the design, construction, refurbishment, management and occupation of residential buildings.

“Building safety is a continuous journey and at Salix Homes we are committed to working closely with the wider housing sector, our housing partners across Greater Manchester, the Government, safety experts, and of course our residents, to help drive forward culture change in the industry to ensure all our buildings are safe places to live, both now and in the future.”

Salix Homes is one of 10 organisations, and one of only two social housing providers, to have successfully completed the first Charter Champion assessment module, which also includes Barratt Developments Plc, Danescroft Development Management LLP, Galliford Try, Hill Holdings Ltd, Martin Arnold, MHS Homes, Morgan Sindall, Orion Fire Engineering Ltd and Persimmon Homes Ltd.

The assessment process is divided into two modules – ‘Leadership and Culture (Stage 1)’ and ‘Corroborating Elements (Stage 2)’:

• Leadership and Culture (Stage 1) – An extensive survey examining the depth and maturity of the leadership and building safety culture in the company, gaining a statistically significant dataset from workers at all levels in the organisation. Responses to the survey are clarified in one-to-one validation discussions between a selection of the respondents and a dedicated independent assessor – leading to the creation of a detailed report giving the company invaluable information on what is happening on the ground.
• Corroborating Elements (Stage 2) – A thorough self-assertion process against a comprehensive framework of expectations enabling BSF to scrutinise the company’s processes and procedures in relation to building safety. The assessor again conducts a validation discussion with key members of staff to assist in the production of a full constructive report, identifying areas of both good practice and opportunities for improvement, and benchmarking the company against the wider industry.

Companies that go on to successfully complete the second module (Corroborating Elements) to the required minimum standard will be awarded with full Building a Safer Future Champion status.

Steve Elliott, Non-Executive Chair of Building A Safer Future, commented: “Building a Safer Future has developed an invaluable tool that we are delighted to see being taken advantage of by more and more organisations.

“This first tranche of companies to have successfully completed the Leadership and Culture module should be proud of the commitment and sectoral leadership they have shown in achieving this Stage 1 award. I encourage other organisations to follow the great example they are setting in engaging with the BSF Champion assessment and putting building safety first.”

Amanda Long, Chief Executive of Building A Safer Future, added: “We are delighted to recognise the first organisations to complete the first stage in the BSF Champion assessment. The commitment these companies are showing towards improving their own approach to building safety leadership and culture is leading the way in tackling the change needed in the wider industry. I wish them well in their ongoing journeys.”

Case studies from the successful organisations are also available on the Building A Safer Future website.