Cassiltoun Housing Association sustains its IIP Platinum Award

Cassiltoun Housing Association was awarded the IIP Platinum Award in June 2017.  A review against the Award criteria was carried out this year and we are delighted to announce that we have sustained our accreditation for another three years.  

In Scotland, 45 organisations hold the IIP Platinum Award of which 8 are Housing Associations.  

To achieve the highest Platinum standard, organisations must demonstrate ‘high performance’ in at least seven of the nine assessment indicators. By doing so, companies show that their culture and processes are based on the needs of the organisation and that both facets are understood, respected, adopted and internalised by every member of their business from board to junior levels.

The report highlighted that our values are very strong with staff demonstrating what they mean to them, the work they do and how they work with tenants. Staff explained the importance of integrity, leadership, the ability to manage and respond to change and the importance of innovation to deliver excellent customer service to tenants and the local community.  Collaborative working at all levels of the organisation was observed which demonstrated strong team spirit.  Staff recognise that each individual plays a key role in contributing to the success of the business. There is a consistent approach to how people are led, managed and developed.  Continuous improvement is embedded in what we do and we are always looking at how we can improve.  

Clair Malpas, Chief Executive commented "This accreditation is a recognition of the values we have at Cassiltoun, one that makes it a fantastic place to work and places our customers and the community at the centre.  We are proud of our people and their achievements and we will build on the findings of the assessment and its recommendations.  At Cassiltoun we have a culture of continuous improvement and this report will support us to continue to deliver the Associations purpose and our people’s aspirations".

George Kelly, Chairperson commented "We are absolutely delighted to have sustained our IIP Platinum Accreditation this year.  As an organisation, we continue to use the Investors in People Framework to improve all aspects of our business, from involving employees in the planning and delivery of our strategic and operational objectives, to offering the best customer service to our tenants and customers.  Our staff are our biggest asset and without them and their continued efforts, we wouldn’t be able to achieve our goals.  It is vital that we Invest in the development and wellbeing of our staff to allow us to grow and develop".

Despite our office at the Stables being closed - Cassiltoun is still 'open' we are just working in a different way

Office closure

The wellbeing of our tenants, staff and wider community is our priority and our office remains closed with staff working from home to deliver services to tenants and customers. We are not able to accept callers to our office and our staff will not be able to carry out home visits.

As our office is closed please avoid posting letters to us as we are unsure of when we will be able to reply.

We aim to minimise the impact this will have on tenants and we thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time.

Repairs

From 23rd March 2020 we will be completing reactive emergency repairs only. An emergency repair is a repair which, if not carried out, could threaten the health or safety of the tenant, or could cause serious damage to the building e.g. gas leaks, flooding or electrical faults which may be dangerous.  

To report an emergency repair please call our office number 0141 634 2673 and you will be directed to the appropriate service.  Our contractors will ask you some questions about your current situation and whether you are self-isolating so that they can understand how best to protect you and your family, as well as the tradesperson that attends your home. 

Any non-emergency repairs previously scheduled will be postponed and we will contact you to confirm this if you had an appointment. There is no need to contact us to postpone future non-emergency appointments in your home.

Gas Servicing 

The Association is required by law to service gas appliances annually within your home. The Association will continue to provide a gas servicing contract to our tenants to ensure health and safety. Our contractors, City Technical, will still be carrying out services when they are due. When accessing your property, the contractor will be wearing the appropriate PPE. You will be advised from the Association when your service is due by telephone and/or letter. Please contact the office if you are unable to provide access for your annual service due to Covid19. 

Rent/factoring Payments

We can still accept payments via chip and pin.  Please telephone our office on 0141-634-2673 or email housing@cassiltoun.org.uk with your name, address and telephone number and a member of staff will telephone you. Other methods available to pay your rent are: -

• Post Office using your payment card 

• Bank Transfer by using your tenant reference number. 

(To discuss paying by Bank Transfer please email the Association and someone will get back to you)

If you feel you will have difficulties paying your rent then please contact us so we can assist you.

Money Advice

As our office is closed to the public our appointments have been suspended until further notice however we will still continue our service by telephone. 

If you are worried about having to self-isolate or being off sick and how this will impact on you financially, The Department for Work and Pensions is making temporary arrangements to support those impacted by coronavirus. If you want more information visit click here for Government updates. 

If you need more help and advice then contact us or check our social media and website for more updates. 

Close Cleaning/Garden maintenance/Estate Maintenance

Our estate maintenance contractors Caledonian Maintenance will have a reduced staff presence on site carrying our estate maintenance. Caledonian will be carrying out close cleaning, back court maintenance and where possible gardens and hedges will be maintained. Please remember this service is being provided by a limited estate maintenance team. 

Supporting our Tenants and Service Users

We are working alongside ‘Castlemilk Together’ to ensure that there is support in place.  Please see below for how to access specific support:

Do you need a hand getting the shopping in/picking up prescriptions/general errands?

• Contact Castlemilk Relaxation Centre who will do your shopping for you:

   Facebook: ‘CRC’ Phone:  07971358717

Are you struggling financially and could do with a bag of some dry goods and fruit and veg delivered to your door?

• For adult only households contact Castlemilk Parish Church:

        Facebook:  ‘Castlemilk Parish Church  Phone:  0141 634 7113

• For households with children and young people contact Castlemilk Together Community Food Action

        Facebook:  ‘Castlemilk Together Community Food Action’  Phone:  07950183874

Fancy a blether?  Us too!

• Contact the Community Team who welcome a chat!

        Facebook:  Cassiltoun Housing Association  Phone: 07950183874

Follow ‘Castlemilk Together:  Community Food Action’ for up to date information on what support is out there or give Paddy a call 07950183874.

Community Events

As our office is currently closed most of our groups and events have been postponed for the time being while some have moved online.

Follow our Facebook Pages for art workshops, virtual woodland walks, creative ideas, tree and species ID, quizzes, competitions, and much more!

Facebook:  Cassiltoun Housing Association and Castlemilk Park Project

Suppliers

We will continue to process invoices and payments during this time. Please try not to send us invoices by post and instead email them to finance@cassiltoun.org.uk for processing.

Communication

Although our office is closed, you can continue to contact us and keep up to date via:-

• Phone - 0141-634-2673
• Email – housing@cassiltoun.org.uk 
• Facebook – https://en-gb.facebook.com/CassiltounHousingAssociation/ 
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/CassiltounHA 

More information/Advice

More information and advice can be found on our Covid19 Risk Assessment or by visiting the following websites:-

• NHS Inform - https://www.nhsinform.scot/ 

• Gov.uk - https://www.gov.uk/ 

• DWP - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions  

• Universal Credit - How to apply - https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim  

• Mental Health and long-term medical conditions -  Health Imporvement Brief

 

Coronavirus - Advice & Information

For the latest update on Coronavirus isolation timeline please click here. 

This current strain of coronavirus is known as novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).  The outbreak first began in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.

Coronavirus is a respiratory disease which seems to start with a high temperature or fever, followed by a dry cough.  After a week, it leads to shortness of breath and some patients require hospital treatment. In more severe cases, coronavirus can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, multiple organ failure and even death.

Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease), are more likely to become severely ill.

The World Health Organisation advises the incubation period - between infection and showing any symptoms - lasts up to 14 days.
There is currently no vaccine for coronavirus however there are things we can all do to prevent it from spreading such as:-

• Regularly and thoroughly washing your hands.
• coughing and sneezing into tissues
• not touching your face with unwashed hands, and;
• trying to avoid close contact with infected people

Cassiltoun Housing Association are continuing to monitor the daily updates on the coronavirus from NHS Inform to ensure we are following the correct guidance to keep staff and customers safe from infection. 

If you think you may have been infected with the coronavirus you must call the NHS 24 telephone service on 111 for further advice.  
For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/wuhan-novel-coronavirus/