Choose your study method
Studying online gives you total flexibility to study when and where works for you. You'll have access to a set of online learning tools, including study materials written by our team of specialist authors, links to useful websites and resources, and forums where you can share your thoughts and ideas with other learners.
What is the Level 3 Certificate in Providing Homelessness Services?
The Level 3 Certificate in Providing Homelessness Services is a practice-based qualification and provides you with the knowledge and understanding required to support homeless people at an operational level.
Qualifications at this level will enable you to be an effective housing practitioner and will provide you with a broader understanding of how your organisation and others in the housing sector work.
Successful completion of the Level 3 Certificate in Providing Homelessness Services will provide you with a vocational qualification of an equivalent standard to an A-level.
Who is this qualification for?
The Level 3 Certificate in Providing Homelessness Services is aimed at frontline housing workers, and provides an excellent foundation in understanding housing services. It is ideal if you work with homeless people but want to expand your knowledge of housing practice in general.
Experience requirements
- You must be a practitioner and working in the housing or homelessness sector
- Have completed either:
- CIH Level 2 Certificate in Housing Practice
- An equivalent level two qualification or higher.
You must also meet the follow criteria:
- Are 18+
- Are confident in using IT and have access to a computer
- Have the potential and opportunity to gain the qualification
- Are aware that this qualification will be assignment based as the Housing Academy’s chosen method of assessment and that other centres may be approved for other assessment methodologies
- Are aware that they must demonstrate an understanding of all the learning outcomes to achieve each unit of study within the qualification.
Level three descriptors
Learners must have read the following level three descriptors that indicate the level that you must be working at to achieve the qualification and are confident that you are able to meet these requirements.
Knowledge descriptor
- You have factual, procedural, and theoretical knowledge and understanding of a subject or field of work to complete tasks and address problems that while well-defines, may be complex and non-routine
- You can interpret and evaluate relevant information and ideas
- You are aware of different perspectives or approaches within the area of study or work.
Skills descriptor
- You can identify, select and use appropriate cognitive and practical skills, methods and procedures to address problems that while well-defined, may be complex and non-routine
- You can use appropriate investigation to inform actions
- You can review how effective methods and actions have been.
How long does it take?
- Approximately 20 weeks, with an average of eight hours study a week.
What will you learn?
The qualification explores core areas of homelessness and has four mandatory units:
How to apply
You can apply for this qualification in a few simple steps:
- Choose your study method and start date from the table at the top of this page.
- Complete the online application form, including:
- Logging in or creating a My CIH account (see instructions below)
- Uploading evidence of your qualifications and/or housing sector experience
- Selecting your payment option and entering your payment details (if your organisation is paying, provide a purchase order)
- Submit your application – it will be reviewed by the Housing Academy team to confirm your eligibility.
- Provide proof of ID before starting your course (required because our qualifications are regulated by the CIH Awarding Organisation).
To pay, you’ll need a My CIH account.
- New to My CIH? Visit My CIH page and click Sign up now to follow the steps. You can also follow our step-by-step guide.
- Already have an account? Just sign in with your email and password as usual.
Having trouble logging in or creating your account? Read our guide or contact our customer services team:
Individuals (or purchasers booking on behalf of someone else) must pay full fees within seven days of receiving the invoice or before the course start date.*
- Payment can be made by credit or debit card.
- Failure to pay on time may result in your course date being changed or services stopped.
*The course start date is the advertised closing date for applications.
If your organisation is paying:
- You must provide a purchase order at the time of booking.
- It is your responsibility to have this ready before starting the application.
Multiple learner bookings
We welcome organisations who want to work with the CIH Housing Academy to provide learning to their workforce. If you'd like to know more about possible discounts for multiple learners, please contact us on 024 7685 1700 or email partnerships@cih.org.
What can I expect as a CIH Housing Academy learner?
We will support you throughout your qualification, offering guidance when personal or work-related problems arise that may affect your studies.
- At the beginning of the qualification you will be provided with a brief introduction to the qualification and information on how it is delivered, structured and assessed.
- You will be allocated an academic tutor who will offer you support throughout your qualification.
- You can contact your tutor through ‘messenger’ when logged in to our online learning platform, My Housing Academy.
- Your tutor will mark your assignments and give you feedback as well as providing you with advice and support on any academic issues.
- You will be able to communicate and share ideas with other students via My Housing Academy.
CIH membership included for eligible Housing Academy learners
CIH offer a concessionary learner membership that can be purchased by learners undertaking a CIH qualification*. This discounted rate provides access to all standard member benefits.
If you choose to study with the CIH Housing Academy eligible learners will receive a year’s learner membership worth £82 when studying a full qualification at level two.
When you register with the Housing Academy, we will automatically transfer your details to the CIH membership team who will confirm if you are eligible to receive this special offer and will be in touch with how to access the membership package.
Although not an essential requirement to complete your qualification, CIH membership provides a wealth of resources, services and networking opportunities that will enhance your learning experience and benefit your professional development long into the future.
*Eligibility criteria apply.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about this qualification or want to speak with a member of our team, we’re here to help. We can guide you through the next steps and provide any additional information you need.
Contact us
Online plus combines all the benefits of online study with the addition of three face-to-face learning days or several tutor virtual tutor-led sessions. These virtual sessions offer the opportunity to interact and share knowledge with other learners and tutors but still benefit from studying around work and life commitments.
What is the Level 3 Certificate in Providing Homelessness Services?
The Level 3 Certificate in Providing Homelessness Services is a practice-based qualification and provides you with the knowledge and understanding required to support homeless people at an operational level.
Qualifications at this level will enable you to be an effective housing practitioner and will provide you with a broader understanding of how your organisation and others in the housing sector work.
Successful completion of the Level 3 Certificate in Providing Homelessness Services will provide you with a vocational qualification of an equivalent standard to an A-level.
Who is this qualification for?
The Level 3 Certificate in Providing Homelessness Services is aimed at frontline housing workers, and provides an excellent foundation in understanding housing services. It is ideal if you work with homeless people but want to expand your knowledge of housing practice in general.
Experience requirements
- You must be a practitioner and working in the housing or homelessness sector
- Have completed either:
- CIH Level 2 Certificate in Housing Practice
- An equivalent level two qualification or higher.
You must also meet the follow criteria:
- Are 18+
- Are confident in using IT and have access to a computer
- Have the potential and opportunity to gain the qualification
- Are aware that this qualification will be assignment based as the Housing Academy’s chosen method of assessment and that other centres may be approved for other assessment methodologies
- Are aware that they must demonstrate an understanding of all the learning outcomes to achieve each unit of study within the qualification.
Level three descriptors
Learners must have read the following level three descriptors that indicate the level that you must be working at to achieve the qualification and are confident that you are able to meet these requirements.
Knowledge descriptor
- You have factual, procedural, and theoretical knowledge and understanding of a subject or field of work to complete tasks and address problems that while well-defines, may be complex and non-routine
- You can interpret and evaluate relevant information and ideas
- You are aware of different perspectives or approaches within the area of study or work.
Skills descriptor
- You can identify, select and use appropriate cognitive and practical skills, methods and procedures to address problems that while well-defined, may be complex and non-routine
- You can use appropriate investigation to inform actions
- You can review how effective methods and actions have been.
How long does it take?
- Approximately 20 weeks, with an average of eight hours study a week.
What will you learn?
The qualification explores core areas of homelessness and has four mandatory units:
How to apply
You can apply for this qualification in a few simple steps:
- Choose your study method and start date from the table at the top of this page.
- Complete the online application form, including:
- Logging in or creating a My CIH account (see instructions below)
- Uploading evidence of your qualifications and/or housing sector experience
- Selecting your payment option and entering your payment details (if your organisation is paying, provide a purchase order)
- Submit your application – it will be reviewed by the Housing Academy team to confirm your eligibility.
- Provide proof of ID before starting your course (required because our qualifications are regulated by the CIH Awarding Organisation).
To pay, you’ll need a My CIH account.
- New to My CIH? Visit My CIH page and click Sign up now to follow the steps. You can also follow our step-by-step guide.
- Already have an account? Just sign in with your email and password as usual.
Having trouble logging in or creating your account? Read our guide or contact our customer services team:
Individuals (or purchasers booking on behalf of someone else) must pay full fees within seven days of receiving the invoice or before the course start date.*
- Payment can be made by credit or debit card.
- Failure to pay on time may result in your course date being changed or services stopped.
*The course start date is the advertised closing date for applications.
If your organisation is paying:
- You must provide a purchase order at the time of booking.
- It is your responsibility to have this ready before starting the application.
Multiple learner bookings
We welcome organisations who want to work with the CIH Housing Academy to provide learning to their workforce. If you'd like to know more about possible discounts for multiple learners, please contact us on 024 7685 1700 or email partnerships@cih.org.
What can I expect as a CIH Housing Academy learner?
We will support you throughout your qualification, offering guidance when personal or work-related problems arise that may affect your studies.
- At the beginning of the qualification you will be provided with a brief introduction to the qualification and information on how it is delivered, structured and assessed.
- You will be allocated an academic tutor who will offer you support throughout your qualification.
- You can contact your tutor through ‘messenger’ when logged in to our online learning platform, My Housing Academy.
- Your tutor will mark your assignments and give you feedback as well as providing you with advice and support on any academic issues.
- You will be able to communicate and share ideas with other students via My Housing Academy.
CIH membership included for eligible Housing Academy learners
CIH offer a concessionary learner membership that can be purchased by learners undertaking a CIH qualification*. This discounted rate provides access to all standard member benefits.
If you choose to study with the CIH Housing Academy eligible learners will receive a year’s learner membership worth £82 when studying a full qualification at level two.
When you register with the Housing Academy, we will automatically transfer your details to the CIH membership team who will confirm if you are eligible to receive this special offer and will be in touch with how to access the membership package.
Although not an essential requirement to complete your qualification, CIH membership provides a wealth of resources, services and networking opportunities that will enhance your learning experience and benefit your professional development long into the future.
*Eligibility criteria apply.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about this qualification or want to speak with a member of our team, we’re here to help. We can guide you through the next steps and provide any additional information you need.
Contact us
