Estates and Facilities Health and Safety Manager

You will have experience of working at a senior or management level and of providing professional leadership within a multidisciplinary environment.

The role involves communicating with a wide range of professionals internally at all levels within the organisation and externally, so excellent verbal and written skills are essential. This will be evidenced through assessments, regular reports, risk management, and analysis of highly complex facts and activity/service in relation to performance targets and strategic objectives. The role should ensure that internal and contracted services deliver safe, high-quality, cost-effective services. We expect you to have excellent IT skills and a working knowledge of a variety of software packages.

You will often work under pressure and without direct supervision, so we are looking for someone confident and capable who can present work methodically, accurately and in a professional manner. You will prioritise tasks and manage your own workload, providing support for our colleagues where required.

You will become an important part of the team, working to ensure that all aspects of work are patient-focused. You will provide support to staff members, which could include dealing with staff grievances and disciplinary issues.

The Estates and Facilities Health and Safety Manager (Band 7) is the lead specialist adviser for Health and Safety matters relating to Estates and Facilities, the built environment and associated activities.
The post holder will:
Lead and oversee Health and Safety arrangements across Estates and Facilities.
Provide expert advice on Health and Safety legislation, regulations and best practice.
Identify hazards and risks and recommend practical and proportionate solutions.
Undertake and coordinate inspections, audits, risk assessments and incident investigations.
Lead the development and review of relevant Health and Safety policies, procedures and standards.
Develop and deliver Health and Safety and risk management training.
Monitor incidents, risks, actions and performance to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Prepare reports, assurance information, recommendations and business cases for senior managers and committees.
Work closely with Trust teams, contractors, specialist advisers and external regulatory bodies.
Challenge unsafe practices and advise on appropriate action where significant risks are identified.
Support compliance with statutory reporting and regulatory requirements.
Travel across Trust sites to provide advice and undertake inspections and investigations.
Overall, this is a senior specialist role responsible for providing Health and Safety leadership, advice, assurance and practical support across Estates and Facilities, helping to ensure that the Trust maintains a safe and compliant environment for staff, patients and visitors.

The Estates and Facilities Health and Safety Manager (Band 7) is the lead specialist adviser for Health and Safety matters relating to Estates and Facilities, the built environment and associated activities.

The post holder will:

Lead and oversee Health and Safety arrangements across Estates and Facilities.
Provide expert advice on Health and Safety legislation, regulations and best practice.
Identify hazards and risks and recommend practical and proportionate solutions.
Undertake and coordinate inspections, audits, risk assessments and incident investigations.
Lead the development and review of relevant Health and Safety policies, procedures and standards.
Develop and deliver Health and Safety and risk management training.
Monitor incidents, risks, actions and performance to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Prepare reports, assurance information, recommendations and business cases for senior managers and committees.
Work closely with Trust teams, contractors, specialist advisers and external regulatory bodies.
Challenge unsafe practices and advise on appropriate action where significant risks are identified.
Support compliance with statutory reporting and regulatory requirements.
Travel across Trust sites to provide advice and undertake inspections and investigations.

Overall, this is a senior specialist role responsible for providing Health and Safety leadership, advice, assurance and practical support across Estates and Facilities, helping to ensure that the Trust maintains a safe and compliant environment for staff, patients and visitors.

Essential criteria
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary and cross-organisational team.
- Ability to work autonomously, prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines.
- Proactive, resilient and professionally assertive approach.
- Ability to exercise sound professional judgement and recognise the limits of personal competence and delegated authority.
- Ability to travel regularly between Trust sites.
- Commitment to continuing professional development and maintenance of professional competence.
- Highly developed specialist knowledge of Health and Safety legislation, regulations, approved codes of practice, statutory guidance and risk management principles, underpinned by theoretical knowledge and substantial practical experience.
- Extensive and in-depth knowledge of the practical application of Health and Safety requirements within complex Estates, Facilities or healthcare environments.
- Knowledge of relevant standards and regulatory requirements applicable to healthcare provider organisations.
- Knowledge of systems-based incident investigation, risk assessment, assurance and organisational learning principles.
- Understanding of the NHS operating environment and the relationship between Estates and Facilities services, clinical services, patient safety and corporate governance.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex Health and Safety matters clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Ability to communicate sensitive or contentious information and respond effectively to barriers to understanding or acceptance.
- Highly developed persuasion, negotiation, influencing and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to challenge unsafe practice constructively and recommend proportionate corrective action.
- Ability to prepare and present formal reports, assurance papers, recommendations, training materials and business cases.
- Ability to build effective working relationships with staff at all levels, contractors, specialist advisers, regulators and external agencies
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent demonstrable knowledge and experience.
- Recognised professional qualification in occupational Health and Safety, or an equivalent combination of specialist training and substantial relevant experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to occupational Health and Safety, Estates, Facilities or risk management.
- Corporate membership of IOSH at an appropriate professional grade, or equivalent membership of another recognised occupational Health and Safety professional body.
- Training in systems-based incident investigation and organisational learning responses
- Significant relevant experience of providing competent specialist Health and Safety advice within a complex organisation.
- Experience of developing, implementing and reviewing Health and Safety policies, procedures and standards.
- Experience of interpreting and applying Health and Safety legislation and recognised guidance to complex operational situations.
- Experience of undertaking complex risk assessments, inspections and incident investigations and producing proportionate recommendations.
- Experience of compiling, analysing and presenting complex performance, risk or assurance information in a clear and accessible format.
- Experience of planning and coordinating Health and Safety projects or improvement programmes involving multiple stakeholders.
- Experience of developing and delivering training appropriate to the needs of different audiences.
- Experience of working collaboratively with managers, staff, contractors, specialists and governance functions.
- Experience of statutory reporting requirements and engagement with regulators or enforcing authorities

Desirable criteria
- Detailed knowledge of NHS risk-management and assurance arrangements.
- Knowledge of the role and operation of committees within NHS or other public-sector bodies.
- Knowledge of specialist Estates and Facilities risks, including contractor management, construction, maintenance, workplace safety, hazardous substances, waste management and work equipment.
- Recognised teaching or training qualification, such as the Level 3 Award in Education and Training, or equivalent.
- Recognised qualification in risk management.
- Qualification or formal training in quality-improvement methodology.
- Additional specialist qualification relevant to Health and Safety within
- Estates, Facilities, construction or healthcare environments
- Experience of Health and Safety management within the NHS or another comparable public body.
- Experience of presenting specialist reports and assurance papers to senior management or public-sector governance committees.
- Experience of using electronic incident-reporting, risk-management or facilities-management systems.
- Experience of providing technical supervision or competency assessment to staff undertaking Health and Safety-related activities

- We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
- We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
- Flexible working,