{"id":770935,"date":"2025-01-17T10:13:30","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T10:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=770935"},"modified":"2025-01-17T11:18:47","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T11:18:47","slug":"riba-outlines-education-review-in-response-to-grenfell-inquiry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/riba-outlines-education-review-in-response-to-grenfell-inquiry","title":{"rendered":"RIBA outlines education review in response to Grenfell Inquiry"},"content":{"rendered":"

In its full response, published yesterday (16 January), the RIBA accepted several key recommendations made by Grenfell Inquiry chair Martin Moore-Bick for the professional body and wider construction industry.<\/p>\n

His second and final report from the years-long inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire, in which 72 people were killed in June 2017, included calls for further improvements to architects\u2019 education and training.<\/p>\n

Moore-Bick had said (see Grenfell Tower inquiry second report: Key recommendations<\/a>): \u2018We recommend [the RIBA] should review the changes [to architectural education] already made to ensure that they are sufficient in the light of our findings.\u2019<\/p>\n

In its response, the RIBA said it was continuing to review guidance to schools and chartered members and was looking at updates to mandatory competences, the core continued professional development (CPD) curriculum and accreditation.<\/p>\n

Schools of architecture \u2013 which the RIBA validates \u2013 will be required to improve teaching on Building Regulations and safety. The institute said it would work with schools and the ARB to implement changes for Part 3 education. However, no timeframe was given.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, since 1 January this year chartered memberscarrying out \u2018designer\u2019s duties\u2019 must pass a new health and safety test once every five years, the RIBA said. The move echoes previous plans for core competency tests first outlined in in 2020, and which were launched last year<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The RIBA said that, while the Grenfell Tower inquiry\u2019s report was \u2018thorough and wide-ranging\u2019, it was \u2018perhaps surprising\u2019 that the procurement process was not part of Moore-Bick\u2019s recommendations.<\/p>\n

However, the RIBA avoided going as far as calling for changes to the way design services are procured, instead suggesting that \u2018further thought\u2019 should be given to how clients appoint architects and contractors are appointed.<\/p>\n

Updates to the RIBA\u2019s Code of Conduct and Code practice could come before the end of the year, the institute said. Both documents were last updated in 2021 with \u2018an additional focus on health and life safety\u2019, the RIBA said.<\/p>\n

Wider recommendations made by Moore-Bick were welcomed by the RIBA, including the creation of a \u2018suitably qualified\u2019 chief construction adviser, and the introduction of a single regulator for the built environment to replace the many existing regulatory bodies.<\/p>\n

The RIBA said it supported the creation of this new regulator to have oversight of building control, license contractors to work on higher-risk buildings and have powers to monitor Building Regulations and statutory guidance. The institute also backs this body monitoring the operation of the Building Regulations and the statutory guidance and advising the Secretary of State on the need for changes.<\/p>\n

However, it is understood the RIAS has taken a different stance on a number of the issues raised in the Grenfell Inquiry recommendations.<\/p>\n

For instance, in a statement to the AJ, RIAS chair of practice Peter Drummond cautioned against the creation of one regulator, especially if it was run by those \u2018who do not necessarily have the same interests as our own profession\u2019.<\/p>\n

Drummond, who sits on the <\/em>Scottish Ministerial Working Group on Grenfell, <\/em>said: \u2018We need to be careful about what we wish for. What is more important is the creation of a level playing field. We cannot have a situation where unregulated designers, whatever their background, can work away at a cut-price rate by avoiding the regulations and restrictions the rest of us work under. Some form of regulation of function is essential.\u2019<\/p>\n

Following the publication of the second Grenfell Inquiry report last year, the government has carried out a review of the Building Safety Regulator, as ordered by the deputy prime minister, and a review of the guidance in Approved Document B on high-risk buildings.<\/p>\n

A decision is expected next month on proposals for the future of the Grenfell Tower and a memorial for the site.<\/p>\n

\n

Comment: Jack Pringle, RIBA board chair<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The full findings of the Inquiry\u2019s report make a clear case for further regulatory, structural and operational change, alongside a fundamental shift in culture and behaviours \u2013 and we remain fully committed to playing our part.<\/p>\n

As the professional body for architects, we have taken significant steps since June 2017 to enhance training and education, including but not limited to our mandatory Health and Safety test and our Principal Designer Register. As recommended, we are reviewing these measures, ensuring our members maintain the highest standards of professional competence.<\/p>\n

To help deliver a comprehensive competence system for professionals across the construction industry, we suggest exploring a model similar to that of the current Engineering Council. This could take the form of a single statutory body for all construction professional bodies which should set processes that all professional bodies certifying the competence of individuals, including architects, must meet.<\/p>\n

We fully support the Inquiry\u2019s recommendation to bring responsibility for the functions relating to fire safety under a single Secretary of State, supported by a suitably qualified Chief Construction Advisor, to aid co-ordination and accountability.<\/p>\n

Aside from structural and regulatory change, we support the Inquiry\u2019s call for independent research and development to restore faith in product testing standards. We also believe that the role of contracts and procurement processes in defining the obligations and agency of the different members of the client, design, and construction teams should be reviewed.<\/p>\n

The long-term efficacy of the construction sector hinges on making these evidence-based changes. It remains our duty to drive meaningful reform at all levels to deliver a built environment in which the public has complete confidence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In its full response, published yesterday (16 January), the RIBA accepted several key recommendations made by Grenfell Inquiry chair Martin Moore-Bick for the professional body and wider construction industry. 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