July 2020
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference will examine next steps and key issues for student accommodation.
It takes place in the context of COVID-19 which, has led to major changes across the sector - and challenges for both providers and students as they consider the next steps regarding accommodation for the rest of this year and next.
With universities and providers expecting a drop in the number of international students attending UK universities next academic year, delegates will discuss how accommodation providers can continue to appeal to domestic students in an uncertain climate with some universities starting to transfer provision online for the next academic year.
We also expect a focus on priorities and next steps for:
- protecting vulnerable students, such as those from overseas and that are care-experienced
- maintaining student wellbeing during the pandemic, particularly in relation to mental health
- keeping students that remain in accommodation safe and able to maintain social and physical distancing
Further key areas for discussion include:
Regulation, responsibilities and accountability
- Responsibilities and duties of care for private landlords and other accommodation providers, including the role of local authorities and universities in ensuring accountability;
- The impact of growing numbers of councils introducing licensing systems for landlords, and of legislation such as the Homes Act; and
- Progress since recommendations in the Student Wellbeing in Purpose-Built Student Accommodation Guide, including:
- wellbeing training for accommodation staff,
- effective case management to ensure that students receive a co-ordinated response when in distress, and
- wellbeing initiatives to support students in difficult periods such as the exam period and during the initial transition to university.
Affordability and customer expectations
- How changing student demands are being addressed - and challenges for implementation - looking at:
- how to ensure the creation of a community culture whilst successfully implementing safety measures - such as digital check-ins, self-service parcel collections, enhanced cleaning measures in common areas and enhanced access to residential support - in light of COVID-19
- introduction of specifically tailored accommodation - including alcohol free residences, and tailored accommodation for care leavers and LGBT students
- ensuring accommodation remains inclusive and fosters a sense of community, with some concerns surrounding the possible segregation of students
- making student accommodation more affordable, and easily usable by all
- options increasing consultation and interaction between students, developers, universities and other providers in formulation of rent structures
- ensuring - at the design stage - that the widest range of accessible accommodation and social spaces is provided
Student numbers and uncertainties facing accommodation providers
- The role of student housing in meeting the increasing target for student numbers
- How the challenges of uncertainty for universities and other providers can be addressed, and support that might be needed for sections of the accommodation sector, in light of:
- the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
- balancing the cost of increasing available space in order to implement social distancing measures and the loss of finances from the potential fall in student numbers
- the effect of leaving the European Union on the recruitment of EU nationals
- competition for domestic students with the removal of student number controls resulting in increased volatility in year-on-year student enrolments
- increasing challenges for managing the supply of student accommodation and the effect on local economies
Developments that are relevant to the discussion:
The agenda:
- The changing shape of student expectations in a post-COVID world and how accommodation providers can respond
- Complaints and redress: why students need effective measures
- Expectations and experiences - safety, regulation, and delivering value for money
- The crucial first year - supporting students in the transition to living away from home
- What students want - insights from research on students’ views on renting
- Inclusive approaches to accommodation - mental health and catering for the needs of different student characteristics
- Improving the student housing experience - key policy priorities
Policy officials attending:
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.
Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons, and officials from the Department for Education; the Department for International Trade and the Welsh Government.
This is a full-scale conference taking place online***
- full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
- information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
- conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
- speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
- opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
- a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
- delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
- networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!
Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference
