Housing law, homelessness, and professional skills training delivered in-person at Shelter's London office.
Have six or more staff to train? We have a wide range of courses available for face-to-face group delivery.
Bookings now open for scheduled in-person training January-June 2024.
Shelter Training is CPD accredited by The CPD Certification Service. Points allocated can be seen below for each topic and shown on attendance certificates. Some topics may be in the process of CPD accreditation approval.
Face to face training allows more time for interactive groupwork, activities, and questions. Delegates also receive printed course materials to revisit when back at their desks.
Our scheduled training courses are charged at either standard or discounted rate. Most organisations pay the standard rate. Advice agencies, law centres and charities pay the discounted rate. The discounted rate will appear once you reach the 'delegates' stage of the checkout process. Pay online or request an invoice.
Call us on 0344 515 1155 or email training@shelter.org.uk for training enquiries.
Booking for other people? Contact us for manager access.
Homelessness
Homelessness law introductory
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles, processes, and duties inherent in homelessness legislation.
Delegates will develop a systematic approach to homelessness law, an understanding of who is homeless and in priority need, knowledge of key duties, including assessment, prevention, and relief, and how those duties can end.
This introductory level course is suitable for anyone who is likely to come into contact with (or needs to give housing advice to) people in housing need. No prior knowledge of the legislation is needed.
Two day face-to-face training course
CPD points: 12
Rates: Standard rate £300+VAT | discounted rate £250+VAT
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Book now: Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 March, 10am-4.30pm
Book now: Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 June, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information about the course.
We also offer a webinar version.
Homelessness and allocations law advanced
This course explores the assessment of the prevention and relief duties including a detailed examination of eligibility, homelessness, priority need, intentionality and local connection.
Participants will also examine the duties, provision, and suitability of accommodation under Part 7 Housing Act 1996 (as amended).
It also covers case law on allocations, the current statutory framework and focus on the process of homelessness decision-making and challenging decisions.
Two day face-to-face training course
CPD points: 12
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £300+VAT | discounted rate £250+VAT
Book now: Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 May, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information about the course.
We also offer a webinar version.
Homelessness case law update
This course explores important recent cases on suitability, affordability, intentional homelessness, discharge of duties, priority need, eligibility, repeat applications or homelessness prevention.
Priority will be given to homelessness cases from the past two years involving significant or novel issues which impact on the substance of decisions or the way they need to be made.
This advanced level training is suitable for staff with at least six months experience.
One day face-to-face training course
CPD points: 6
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £180+VAT | discounted rate £160+VAT
Book now: Monday 29 April, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information about the course.
We also offer a webinar version.
Challenging and defending homelessness decisions
This course specifically focusses on providing delegates the opportunity to explore the legal principles against which homeless decisions are judged by the court. It looks in detail at which decisions can be reviewed under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act). Appeals on a point of law under s204 1996 Housing Act and the role of Judicial Review in the High Court will also be covered.
Attending this course helps decision makers fulfil their legal obligations to homeless applicants and helps other staff consider how to challenge homelessness decisions.
This intermediate level course is suitable for homelessness officers, housing options officers, housing advisers and housing support workers. Good working knowledge of the basic definition of the sections and duties contained in Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 would be beneficial.
One day face-to-face training course
CPD points: 6
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £180+VAT | discounted rate £160+VAT
Book now: Wednesday 20 March, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information.
We also offer a webinar version.
Immigration status and eligibility for housing
This training examines the links between the UK immigration system and housing rights. It covers how a person’s eligibility for housing assistance under the Housing Act 1996 (in terms of duties owed to people who are homeless and access to social housing) is determined by their immigration status.
This advanced level training is for people with a good working knowledge of homelessness and/or allocations law. It is strongly advised that delegates have completed Shelter's homelessness law introductory training prior to attending.
One day face-to-face training course
CPD points: 6
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £180+VAT | discounted rate £160+VAT
Book now: Thursday 22 February, 10am-4.30pm
Book now: Tuesday 4 June, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information.
We also offer a webinar version.
Housing and mental health
This training will provide an understanding of how to access services under the Care Act 2014 (community care services) and the Mental Health Act 1983.
It will consider how best to assist people in the context of (threatened) homelessness and how to challenge adverse decisions in order to deal with homelessness more effectively and access related services.
This introductory level course is suitable for advisers, support workers and social workers who work with people experiencing mental health difficulties.
Please note: this training is very much focused on the housing law aspects related to mental health. It is not suitable for individuals looking for more general mental health awareness subject matter.
One day face-to-face training course (5 CPD hours)
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £180+VAT | discounted rate £160+VAT
Book now: Wednesday 1 May, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information about the course.
We also offer a webinar version.
Housing conditions
Disrepair and housing conditions
Following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak in 2022, the government announced plans to make major changes to the law on damp and mould for both the private and social sector.
This training covers current housing law provisions in relation to disrepair and housing conditions. It focuses on landlord’s legal obligations, tenants’ rights and the different methods of enforcement. Future reform, and what the sector can expect when it comes to tackling disrepair and poor housing conditions, are also covered.
This is an intermediate level course suitable for housing and homelessness officers, advisers, lawyers, and others working with private and social sector tenants.
One day face-to-face training course
CPD points: 6
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £180+VAT | discounted rate £160+VAT
Book now: Tuesday 12 March, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information about the course.
We also offer a webinar version.
Housing options
Housing law roundup
Provides experienced staff with an update regarding key developments in housing law, with an emphasis on recent case law decisions and their implications for housing advice and casework.
Housing law is vast and multifaceted. While we have distilled the most critical information, not every possible case can be covered. Instead, we have focussed on key case law, legislative and policy updates that will provide the knowledge and insights advanced practitioners require.
Due to time constraints, some prioritisation of content may be required. However, delegates are provided with our roundup booklet which contains helpful summaries of recent cases and other content for review after the training.
This advanced level course is suitable for housing advisers, lawyers, and local authority staff with a good working knowledge of housing law.
One day face-to-face training course
CPD points: 6
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £180+VAT | discounted rate £160+VAT
Book now: Thursday 7 December, 10am-4.30pm
Book now: Thursday 8 February, 10am-4.30pm
Book now: Wednesday 19 June, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information about the course.
We also offer a webinar version.
Tenancy status and rights
This training provides a comprehensive introduction to security of tenure in the public and private sectors, including security of tenure across sole and joint tenancies regulated by the Rent Act 1977, Housing Act 1985, Housing Act 1988, Housing Act 1996; as well as tied accommodation, licences and occupiers who fall outside of mainstream protection.
We also discuss which notices are used in possession proceedings and the impact that an order for possession has on an occupier’s security of tenure, including the basic defences and counterclaims available.
Two day face-to-face training course (10 CPD hours)
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £300+VAT | discounted rate £250+VAT
Book now: Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 February, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information.
We also offer a webinar version.
Young people and accommodation
This webinar explores when a social services duty to house a young person arises, housing authority duties to house a young person, the relationship between child poverty and intentional homelessness, and how to challenge a decision to not house or assist a young person.
This introductory level training is suitable for anyone advising young people, care leavers or former looked after young adults about their housing rights and options.
One day face-to-face training course
CPD points: 6
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £180+VAT | discounted rate £160+VAT
Book now: Tuesday 23 April, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information.
We also offer a webinar version.
Health and housing
The Care Act and housing
This webinar explores the interface between homelessness, housing, and community care provision under the Care Act 2014 looking at: when and if housing can or should be provided under the Care Act; why a failure to advise on Care Act provision could impact adversely on assessment; what is a need for care and support; ordinary residence; well-being principle; lack of capacity; no recourse to public funds and more.
This intermediate level course is aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at local authority staff working in housing services. Relevant to anyone giving advice to those with physical or mental health problems whether in the statutory or voluntary sector.
One day face-to-face training course (5 CPD hours)
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £180+VAT | discounted rate £160+VAT
Book now: Monday 18 March, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information about the course.
We also offer a webinar version.
Possession proceedings and eviction
Housing possession hearings practice and procedure
This practical, face-to-face training provides a detailed overview of the procedural rules governing possession claims. It also covers Pre-Action Protocol and Civil Procedure Rules. A pragmatic approach to possession hearings will prepare delegates when appearing for landlords or tenants. Delegates must be familiar with notice rules and grounds for possession.
This intermediate level course is aimed at housing advisers and debt workers. Also suitable for housing officers familiar with security of tenure who wish to appear in county court possession hearings for the landlord or tenant. Delegates must be familiar with notice rules and grounds for possession.
Two day face-to-face training course
CPD points: 12
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £300+VAT | discounted rate £250+VAT
Book now: Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 May, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information about the course.
Professional skills
Casework skills for prevention and advice services
This training equips staff whose work involves managing and progressing prevention and advice casework with key skills to manage their caseload effectively. Participants learn how to identify deadlines and set realistic targets, as well as exploring explore issues around shared work on case files, the importance of note-taking, and the effective closure of cases.
The session covers understanding prevention and advice; skills of an effective caseworker; identifying and agreeing on priority tasks with clients; identifying key stages in the case management process; identifying and managing barriers to casework progression; developing good practice in recording case notes and information; working towards outcomes and case closure.
One day face-to-face training course
CPD points: 6
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £180+VAT | discounted rate £160+VAT
Book now: Tuesday 7 May, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information.
We also offer a webinar version.
Handling challenging situations
This course supports participants to handle challenging situations using a range of strategies developed through psychological theories.
Suitable for housing officers; housing support workers; new or experienced advisers; and those who need effective strategies to manage difficult conversations and be able to diffuse situations before they escalate.
One day face-to-face training course
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £180+VAT | discounted rate £160+VAT
Book now: Tuesday 19 March, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information about the course.
We also offer a webinar version.
Training for trainers
Intensive training which takes both new or experienced trainers through the process of delivering an informative, engaging and participative training course.
The training encompasses every aspect of planning and delivery including unique and innovative methods for ensuring that participants on any training course learn the content and remain motivated to learn and apply theories and methods.
Delegates will be equipped with strategies for overcoming those dreaded nerves and take a look at evaluation methods that can be used throughout training delivery to assess how well a session is going.
The course is suitable for new and existing trainers who require a thorough grounding in the theoretical dimension of the training function together with a practical understanding of the planning and delivery framework.
Two day face-to-face training course
Venue: 88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Rates: Standard rate £300+VAT | discounted rate £250+VAT
Book now: Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 June, 10am-4.30pm
Follow the book now link and click details for more information about the course.
