Our Tenant Participation Team was named Scotland’s Team of the Year for its outstanding contribution to the housing sector, delivering significant progress in embedding tenant involvement at the heart of housing service delivery.

And winning the Marion Gibbs award for Equality in Housing was The Children’s Champion Project. The Children’s Champion Project was developed by a network of frontline staff across the council to support Care Experienced Young People (CEYP) as they transition from care into permanent housing. This category includes projects, initiatives and organisations working to promote equality, diversity and inclusion and address housing disadvantage.

Housing Convener, Councillor Michael McPake, said: “I’m absolutely delighted for the teams to have been recognised as being the best in Scotland in their field.

“The awards demonstrate the positive impact our services have across the communities they serve and commend the dedication and commitment of our staff who deliver vital services often to some of the most vulnerable people. These awards recognise our innovative approach to delivering first-class services and reaffirms our commitment to improving people’s lives and making North Lanarkshire the place to live. Many congratulations to everyone involved.”

Our Tenant Participation Team was commended for its innovation, inclusion and collaboration, all of which achieved measurable success. As Scotland’s local authority landlord managing over 36,000 homes the team has risen to the scale and complexity of this challenge. In particular, the team’s commitment to engagement, transparency and empowering tenants to help shape and scrutinise housing services. It was also noted that the team’s achievements lead to a TPAS Scotland Gold Accreditation in 2024. Judges commented that the team exemplifies how meaningful tenant involvement drives service improvements, builds trust and transforms communities.

The Childrens Champion Project aligns with The Promise, ensuring that Care Experienced Young People (CEYP) have the right to access caring, supportive services for as long as they need them, including the ability to return for help when required. To address the operational challenges faced by CEYP, the CEYP Operations Group meets regularly, focusing on, identifying and resolving key issues that arise during the transition from care to independent living, with a particular emphasis on housing. Importantly, the champions, who represent the housing service, continue support even after a young person is housed, acting as a key contact for any housing-related issues. Judges commented that the project is not just supporting individuals; it is changing how services think and work together, which is essential for long term improvement. Their work ensures that housing services are not only responsive but also compassionate, helping care experienced young people build stable, independent lives.