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Responding well to its residents” needs is just one of the areas that a housing association based in Cambridgeshire has been praised for.

Furthermore, the Luminus Group has been commended in a short-notice inspection carried out by the Audit Commission for ensuring that repairs are carried out both quickly and effectively and that services are reviewed in order to make sure they offer value for money.

Overall, the commission deemed the housing association as having more strengths than it has weaknesses, news that could be of interest to those searching for jobs in housing via a regional recruitment portal.

Mark Elsworth, lead housing inspector for the Audit Commission, said: "Luminus is clearly committed to providing high quality services to its residents. It has a strong focus on customer care, resulting in very satisfied customers."

The Huntingdon-based association was also praised for offering a service responsive to the needs of vulnerable residents.

Earlier this month, a short-notice inspection of Southern Housing Group Limited saw the association commended for providing easily understandable information to its tenants.

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Charities wishing to improve their communication strategies may wish to attend a conference being held later this week.

Taking place on March 26th, the Media Trust event will see both public and private sector organisations, as well as those working in the third sector, gather to share examples of best practice in engaging with minority and difficult to reach communities.

Kevin Brennan, minister for the third sector, will give the keynote speech at the conference, while those wishing to improve their skills framework may be interested to hear that those attending will be able to take part in a number of workshops, examining areas such as innovative campaigning and the impact digital media can have.

Gavin Sheppard, development director of Media Trust, said: "Against the current economic downturn, with tighter resources and a higher demand for services, there is enormous pressure on organisations across all sectors, to effectively target and reach certain priority groups."

He adds that the conference will see a number of organisations - including Scope and Mencap - discuss their efforts in reaching minority groups.

Last month, the trust held a seminar advising charities on how to adjust their campaigning activities in case of a change in government.

More skills framework information.

Employers are not making best use of their workers” skills, new research shows.

A study carried out by Work Foundation reveals that 65 per cent of employees questioned believe their work - which is dominated by workplace policies and rules - leaves them little room to be creative and innovate.

Meanwhile, 40 per cent claim to possess more advanced skills than their position actually requires of them, in news could be of interest to organisations - including those operating in the third sector - that are looking to improve talent management.

“Trapping so many workers in roles in which their skills and abilities are poorly matched with their jobs is a waste both of economic potential and human possibility,” Ian Brinkley, associate director of the foundation, claims.

He adds that although employers are reluctant to lose out on skilled workers, simultaneously “they seem to be failing to make the most of them”.

Those looking to make use of their staff’’s skills may be interested to hear comments made by Damian Radcliffe, manager for English regions at Ofcom, who told ThirdSector.co.uk that it will become increasingly important for charities to have a strong presence on the internet.

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A recent Audit Commission report has revealed the strengths of those working for a housing association operating in the south-east.

Following a short-notice inspection, the commission has commended Southern Housing Group Limited (SHGL) for ensuring that the information it provides for tenants is generally clear to understand.

In addition, the housing association was praised for its approach to its reporting repairs service, which has been adapted to match residents” requirements, while services offering guidance to those struggling with money management were also highlighted.

Hugh Boatswain, lead housing inspector for the Audit Commission, said: "Overall SHGL is delivering a reasonable service which includes various means by which tenants can influence the services they receive."

Those searching for work via a regional recruitment portal may also be interested to hear that the commission’’s satisfaction that tenants” views are being taken account is generally high.

Earlier this month, Circle 33 Housing Trust was praised for its work in ensuring the rent arrears levels are low and that an effective range of debt and welfare guidance is given to its residents.

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A housing association based in London has been praised for the services it offers.

Ensuring that levels of rent arrears are low and repairs to properties are carried out to a high standard are just two areas in which the Audit Commission has commended the Circle 33 Housing Trust.

In its inspection of the organisation, the commission also highlighted its work in providing an effective range of advice on debt and welfare to tenants.

"Circle 33 Housing Trust has a sympathetic approach to tenants in rent arrears but is nevertheless effective in collecting rent and arrears," points out Adrian Brown, lead housing inspector at the Audit Commission, in news that could be of interest those searching for jobs in housing via a regional recruitment portal.

Furthermore, the services inspected were deemed to be sensitive to the varying needs of residents.

Set up in 1968, the Circle 33 Housing Trust manages more than 15,000 affordable homes throughout London and the south-east.

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