return to home page
go to our about us page
go to information about the services we offer members
go to support section
go to information about joining scips
go to frequently asked questions
go to our contact us information
go to information about hiring meeting room venue
go to information about the black asian and ethnic minority tenants consultation group of sandwell
Go to our links page which includes links to groups in scips membership and others
visit the community help and information network sandwell website
Site Map
graphic - scips has retained investors in people status since the year 2000
 
About Us
graphic of figure holding large tick symbol
Use this section to find out more about SCIPS - Who we are and how we support our local communities.

Supporting communities is the cornerstone of all we do.

Any local Sandwell group with a written constitution (including an equal opportunities statement) can apply to join us.

You don't need to be a 'tenants' group to benefit from membership.

We have a range of member groups - including sports clubs, history societies, allotments groups, womens groups & local environment groups.

What do all these groups have in common?

They all recognise being part of SCIPS helps, encourage and support them!

Membership keeps them in touch with what is going on locally, and offers regular opportunities to them to promote themselves, their activities and their events -
ALL FOR FREE

Want to know a bit more?

Try our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) section.

If you can't find your answer there - use the link provided to ask us a question - and we will get back to you with an answer.

Ready to Join Now? - Then call us on 0121 544 1230
(Mon - Friday 9.30 am - 5.30 pm) and we will send you a joining pack.
Working with Tenants

SCIPS was set up by local tenants over 20 years ago - to provide support, training and advocate for them. Working with tenants and residents groups remains an integral part of our activities.

Want to know more about the tenant movement in Sandwell and its history?
Find out more...
Want to know more about tenant empowerment in Sandwell and opportunities for involvement?
Find out more...
Want to know more about getting involved with SCIPS?
FAQ's section
Want to know more about setting up a local tenant group?
Sandwell Homes - Let's Get Organised booklet will help you get started.
Find out more...

Sandwell's Tenant Inspector Project has been running for over 10 years now and is known nationally for its ground breaking work. SCIPS has been closely associated with this project since day one.

Involvement in this project is open to any Council Tenant.
Find out more...

Forming Partnerships
SCIPS has been a champion of collaborative working within the borough. Here are a few examples of some of our current partnership arrangements - both at strategic and grass roots levels:
We have a long history of working in collaboration with the local authority. SCIPS being one of the first local voluntary sector organisations to deliver services to the community through an agreed Service Level Agreement (SLA) work programme.
This has been a highly successful approach that has seen us deliver year on year, best value services and support to our local communities.

SCIPS continues to support Sandwell Homes through a variety of commissioned work (and through the ground breaking Tenant Inspector Project - see above).

Recent work with Sandwell Homes has included working with tenants to develop new Local Service Standards and working with them through their recent governance restructure.

Wednesbury 2000 Ltd:

Currently working together on developing an online Information Portal for Sandwell's Community Sector.

Visit our CHAINS website for more information on Wednesbury 2000 Ltd.

 
2010 saw us working in partnership with Riverside Housing to develop the capacities of their tenants for more active involvement and engagement with ttheir housing service. This strand of work continues in 2011.
SCIPS is always open to consider new and innovative ways of working in partnership with other local, regional or national organisations.
The Future
SCIPS has been around for more than 20 years. This longevity has not happened merely by chance. We are constantly planning for the future -adapting to meet the changing needs of our membership whilst remaining true to our underlying values.
  
See our latest Business Plan (2010 - 2015) to find out more...
cover of business plan 2011 - 2015 - click on to download pdf version
Accountability
As a Limited Company we are 'owned' by and accountable to our membership. Annually reporting to them on our financial position and the work we have undertaken over the previous 12 months.
 
See our latest Annual Report (2010 - 2011) to find out more...
cover scips annual report 2010 - 2011 - click on to download pdf copy