RBH Launches Culture Shift After Awaab Ishak's Death, Pledging Respect and Effective Damp Solutions
Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has launched a significant culture shift programme following a series of failures that led to the tragic death of Awaab Ishak from mould and damp exposure. The organization has acknowledged its past shortcomings and is committed to treating residents with respect and addressing damp and mould issues effectively.
The Housing Ombudsman's investigation, prompted by Awaab's death, uncovered a 67% maladministration rate in 15 cases. Key issues included insufficient staff training to handle damp and mould reports, inadequate decision-making, and a lack of challenge to poor responses. Communication breakdowns, poor record-keeping, and tenant blaming were also prevalent. The Ombudsman identified a culture of 'othering' residents, leading to exclusion and marginalisation.
RBH has recognised these problems and is implementing changes. It aims to embed equality practices across the organization and foster empathy through resident liaison teams. Positive feedback from services provided by contractors like Emanuel Whittaker indicates the potential success of these initiatives.
RBH has taken significant steps to address its past failures and improve its relationship with residents. With 20 recommendations for improved practice, the organization is working to enhance its handling of disrepair issues, resident engagement, and organisational learning. The success of these changes will depend on consistent implementation and a genuine commitment to learning from past mistakes.
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