Welcome to your September construction update! Last month, we looked at the scale of Scotland’s ambitions for housing and infrastructure and the workforce that will be needed to deliver them. This month, we’re bringing that conversation a little closer to home. When construction businesses think about skills shortages and future workforce needs, recruitment is naturally […]
By Christine Coxon, Quality Manager & Designated Safeguarding Lead, Kingdom Academy. From 30 September 2026, a new statutory Information Sharing Duty applies in England for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The duty, introduced through section 16LA of the Children Act 2004 and supported by updated Department for Education statutory guidance, is designed to
As we head into autumn, there is a lot for housing organisations to prepare for, from the introduction of the Competence and Conduct Standard on 1st October to the continuing pressures facing homelessness and independent living services. For many employers, the challenge is no longer understanding that expectations are changing. It is making sure their
Your August update: New homelessness qualification, Autumn ILS cohorts & more… Read More »
By Sara Roberts, CSO, Kingdom Academy Andy Burnham’s first month as Prime Minister has brought a noticeable shift in the way government is talking about skills, housing and construction. Technical education is to begin from the age of 14. Regional mayors are set to receive greater influence over planning and housing investment. Councils are being
July has been another significant month for housing, skills and workforce development, with important developments beginning to turn months of discussion and consultation into something much more concrete. The final decision on the Competence and Conduct Standard has now been published, while changes across anti-social behaviour, housing, construction and the wider political landscape continue to
Our ASB Awareness Week activity is next week! Find out more below… As we progress into the second half of 2026, preparation for the Competence and Conduct Standard is becoming an increasingly important priority for housing providers across the UK. While qualification requirements have attracted much of the attention, organisations are also considering wider areas
Your June update: The Competence & Conduct Standard Hub, ASB Awareness Week and more… Read More »
Kingdom Academy has successfully retained the matrix Standard following an independent accreditation review that highlighted the organisation’s learner support, employer partnerships, inclusive culture and commitment to continuous improvement. The matrix Standard is the national quality standard for organisations delivering information, advice and guidance services. As part of the review process, assessors interviewed staff, learners and
Kingdom Academy Retains Matrix Accreditation Following Independent Review Read More »
May has brought a real sense that the housing sector is moving from discussion into preparation and implementation when it comes to professionalism, workforce development and organisational readiness when it comes to the increasing level of change that is ahead. Across recent sector events, employer conversations and ongoing policy developments, the same themes continue to
By Matt Hoyle, Head Of Operations, Kingdom Academy From 1 August 2026, important changes are being introduced to the way apprenticeship levy funding works in England. The Apprenticeship Levy is becoming the Growth & Skills Levy, with a wider focus on helping employers invest in high-quality skills, workforce development and training that meets business need.
Apprenticeship Levy Changes 2026: What Employers Need to Know Read More »
One of the most important aspects of the Competence and Conduct Standard is that competence is not viewed as something achieved once and then permanently evidenced through qualifications alone. Instead, the standard places greater emphasis on how organisations continuously support, monitor, review, and maintain workforce competence over time. This represents a significant shift for some
Ongoing Competence Management and the Competence & Conduct Standard Read More »