Summary: Under Awaab’s Law landlords are required to keep residents safe AND healthy. This project demonstrated different approaches that landlords could use or adapt to ensuring residents are safe in their homes, while making their repairs service more efficient, cost-effective, and responsive.

What is the project and what is innovative about the service provided?

Birmingham Council – introduced its Building Safety Management System (BSMS), first fully integrated framework uniting compliance, cultural change, and resident partnership across 200+ high-rise buildings. It has created a safety culture (data-driven, people-centred model aligned to Building Safety Act 2022) founded on transparency, accountability, and learning to replace reactive, siloed practice. The True Compliance platform provides live assurance for every block (colour-coded dashboards, instant visibility for managers and senior leaders) which is paired with a robust training and engagement. Technology and people working hand-in-hand to drive safety, not just record it.

What are the measurable benefits to the client, the contractor, the resident, and the neighbourhood?

Birmingham Council – Over three years, Project has delivered financial, operational, and social benefits. Safety culture transformed (officers, contractors, and residents operate under shared values of openness, accountability, and continuous learning). Regular learning, peer mentoring, and leadership forums have built a psychologically safe environment where raising concerns is encouraged and acted upon. Building Safety Champion network and resident participation grown (positive feedback on improved communication and safety measures). Frequency of building safety inspections increased (3, 6 or 12-monthly).

Client Benefits: Compliance accuracy and cost efficiency improved, 14,305 fire-related remedials closed with evidence Sept 2024-Sept 2025. "True Compliance" dashboards provide live, block-level assurance to senior leadership and the Regulator. Digital oversight removed hundreds of manual reports monthly, creating verified time and cost efficiencies.

Contractor Benefits: Compliance standards unified (clarity) and live reporting reducing repeat works and enhances reputation. Joint inspections and clear accountability improved quality and strengthened professional partnerships. Several contractors transitioning to BCPS’ model or adopting it internally.

Resident Benefits: Safety concerns resolved more quickly (15 to 3-4 days). They have access to modern reporting system (“See it, Scan it, We’ll Sort it” QR Code). Improved participation and trust through Building-specific engagement plans and frequent Building Safety Events.

Neighbourhood Benefits: Public awareness improved through multi-agency safety events with WMFS, Police, NHS and community teams that enhanced community resilience and shared safety ownership. Safer, more cohesive communities through Council’s proactive building safety management.

Social and economic value: Local recruitment links improving safety to community benefit. Resident involvement in engagement and inspection programmes generates skills, inclusion, and confidence.

What are the financial costs and measurable cashable benefits over a defined time period?

Birmingham Council – Initial investment focused on system implementation (paid back within 12 months through reduced duplication, faster data validation, & minimised contractor rework). Savings achieved through:

• Data consolidation - disparate compliance systems integrated (eliminated 500+ manual reports/month).
• Early issue identification - real-time tracking of FRA actions reduced repeat inspections and prevented costly failures.
• Coordinated inspections reduced operational mileage and wasted time.
• Increased tenant cooperation improved access rates during inspections (fewer no-access visits).

Non-cashable benefits in terms of enhanced regulatory assurance and reduced enforcement risk. Resident trust and engagement improved. Staff capability improved and retained by training and empowerment. BCPS model delivers value for money, measurable savings, and human impact (safety and efficiency coexisting at the highest standard). By focusing on prevention, not reaction, project redefined financial management (cost of compliance is now an investment in resilience, reducing long-term exposure & enabling sustainable investment in decency and energy-efficiency programmes). Compliance both financially sustainable and socially responsible

How relevant is this as an example that might be followed by other organisations?

Birmingham Council – approach to ensure consistent cultural, structural, behaviour can be used by other organisations of any scale (several authorities and partner organisations are replicating it, having recognised its clarity, efficiency, and accountability). Other directorates in Council have begun migrating their compliance functions to the same system. Contractors aligning their reporting and performance measurement with True Compliance (ensure joined-up accountability). Model embeds social value in every layer, through local jobs and resident participation to create a self-sustaining ecosystem of trust, competence, and inclusion that ensures safety remains both affordable and aspirational. In summary, it provides a template for transformation, a proven, human, and measurable approach to safety that other organisations can confidently follow.