Publications, projects and reports

Julie Clarke and Sokhjinder Kler have been involved in the research and production of the following publications, projects and reports either as author, co-author or lead officer:

Continuous Improvement and the KLOEs - a report and methodology for Home Group to ensure the systematic assessment and improvement of their services (2007)
The report was tailored specifically to Home and used the complexity of their organisation in developing a methodology that would drive forward improvement and disseminate good practice.
Disability and Gender Equality Duties - a report and toolkit for Home Group to ensure their compliance with both duties (2007)
This report detailed the legal and regulatory requirements for both duties, tested out the current position for Home and recommended a series of actions regarding information gathering, consultation, impact assessment of new and exisiting policies and also action planning in order to move towards the publication of Gender and Disability Equality Schemes.
Neighbourhood Renewal, Best Practice - research report for Sunderland City Council Regeneration and Review Sub Committee. (2006)
This report researching good practice guidance from government, academic research and practice provided Sunderland City Council with information to guide the formulation of their approach to neighbourhood renewal and their interaction with residents and tenants. The reports findings were used in the writing of their policy on good practice in neighbourhood renewal.
Effective Communication Between Partners - research report Sunderland City Council Regeneration and Review Sub Committee (2006)
This report researching good practice and drawing on guidance from the Audit Commission, Government and academic research provided Sunderland City Council with information which was used to inform their updated communications strategy with Sunderland Housing group.
The Effect of a Changing Environment on Professional Educational Needs: A case study of social housing organisations in the northern region of the UK. International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change (2006)
This report further developed research commissioned by the European office of Northumbria University into the effect of environmental pressures on organisations approaches to staff development. The research considered the tensions organisations faced with the need to continually improve and demonstrate this improvement, government pressure to increase efficiencies, and as a consequence the need to become learning organisations. The research informed good practice in organisational learning and professional education.
Best Value in Housing - what makes local authorities improve and sustain their performance? (2005)
Research led by the ODPM looking at factors that lead to housing authorities improving and sustaining their performance.
Meeting the needs of a changing profession: Research report for Northumbria University European Office. (2004)
This report, commissioned by the European office of Northumbria University, used qualitative research interviews to establish an understanding of the pressures being faced by various types and size of housing organisations in different regional settings and the impact this was having on their staff development needs and their capacity to meet them. The report informed the university in the development and delivery of professional education.
Involvement policy for the housing association sector (2004)
The policy was the culmination of the work from the discussion and consultation papers. It brought two previous policies together and sets out clearly what the regulator expects from housing associations - stating it makes good business sense and supports the Government's aim to make local communities 'sustainable' and enjoyable places to live now and in the future.
Housing improving service through resident involvement - national report (2004)
The study was commissioned under the programme of comparative studies with the Audit commission. It explores the business case for tenant and resident involvement in producing a robust involvement policy and associated regulation. The project was worked in partnership with the Audit Commission.
Housing improving services through resident involvement - management handbook (2004)
This publication accompanies the national report providing tools and techniques to improve services.
External validation of performance reporting systems of housing associations: framework and guidance (2004)
The publication provides advice on how to validate reporting systems and associated processes to ensure that published performance indicators are accurate and consistent across the housing association sector. This publication aimed to enable meaningful comparisons, more accurate performance reporting to Parliament and more effective investment decisions by the regulator.
Empowering communities, improving housing: involving black and minority ethnic tenants and communities (2004)
A report commissioned in association with the ODPM specifically addressing issues around the empowerment of black and ethnic minority communities.
Reviewing the Housing Corporation's tenant participation policy (2003)
A discussion paper targeted at the social housing sector and key stakeholders setting out scope and purpose of the review and inviting comments on suggested way forward.
Consultation Paper: Involvement policy (2003)
Consultation paper targeted at the social housing sector and key stakeholders. The thoughts presented in the paper built up on the earlier discussion paper and various other associated consultation events and seminars. It set out a draft involvement policy and associated regulation for comments. It stated clearly what the regulator expected of housing associations with regards to how they involved resident and tenants.
A charter for housing association applicants and residents (2003)
This set out what tenants and residents could expect from their housing association landlord with clear statements of rights and responsibilities. The Charter replaced eight individual charters and reflected the new regulatory regime for housing associations.
Continuous improvement for housing associations - a discussion paper (2003)
The paper was produced in partnership with Dr Richard Walker of Cardiff University. The paper explored the key levers and measures required for continuous improvement. These were tested with the top one hundred housing association chief executives, key Whitehall Departments and the Audit Commission - all were also invited to a symposium to debate the key messages and to consider a way forward for the sector.
A handbook for members of the Housing Corporation's Tenants Consumer Panel (2003)
Code of best practice for members of the panel.
Taking control in your community (2003)
A study and associated good practice guide and website; carried out and produced in partnership with the Confederation of Co-operative Housing. The guide was produced to support the Housing Corporation's communities in control policy.
Validation of the performance reporting systems of housing associations (2003)
Consultation paper targeted at housing associations and key stakeholders setting out proposals for a new regulatory requirement and inviting comments on the proposed approach.
Performance data collection: good practice guide (2003)
The guide was produced in partnership with HouseMark providing housing associations with advice on how to develop effective performance information systems. The objective of the guide was to lay the foundations for the new regulatory requirement for associations to have their performance reporting systems externally validated.
Research into issues affecting the former mining villages of Craghead and Grange Villa (2002)
This report, commissioned by Kevan Jones MP, used a combination of different research methodologies; desk top research (central government policy documents, neighbourhood statistics, academic research and council documents); questionnaire survey of local residents; qualitative interviews with key players; quantitative analysis of data. The objective of the report was to carry out an assessment of the viability of the housing market in ex mining villages from the perspective of residents, tenant activists, councillors, council officers and housing associations. A further objective was to challenge the finding of the CURS report, which had questioned their long term viability and to provide evidence for the support of bids for additional funding. The subsequent bid was successful.
The international perspective on the role of tenant involvement and the relationship between the regulators and the tenants (2002)
Research report commissioned by the Housing Corporation as part of a review of their community involvement and tenant participation strategy. The report sought, through desk top analysis and personal contact (via email), to establish examples of community involvement good practice and the regulatory relationship between housing organisations and their tenants in ten countries including Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. The research informed the Housing Corporation review of tenant participation.
Customer involvement: opportunities for learning from the private sector? (2002)
A study commissioned from the Office of Public Management to look at what happens in the private sector in relation to customer involvement drawing any parallels with the public sector. The study fed into the review of the tenant and resident involvement policy.
How do regulators relate to end users? (2002)
A study commissioned from the Office of Public Management to look at how, and to what extent other regulators engage with customers and or service users. The study fed into the review of the tenant and resident involvement policy.
Implementing Best Value in Housing and Tenant Participation Compacts - the first year (2002)
Research led by the ODPM with influence and contributions on objectives and final report from key stakeholders.
Tenant Involvement in Setting Service Standards (2002)
This report commissioned by a consortia of Housing Associations, used qualitative research interviews to establish the motivating forces behind housing organisations involvement of tenants in setting service standards. The findings were used to inform practice.