Head of Fire Safety

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; Torquay; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Head of Fire Safety to provide strategic leadership and professional expertise across the NHS fire safety agenda. You will lead the Fire Safety Management System and act as the trusted adviser for governance and assurance at board level.

You will manage a programme of risk assessments, drive improvements, and coordinate Authorised Person functions within a large, complex healthcare estate.

Qualifications

• Degree in Fire Engineering, Fire Safety Management, Building Engineering or related discipline.
• Level 5 Fire Risk Assessment qualification (FireQual or recognised equivalent).
• Membership of IFE/IFSM/NAHFO or equivalent professional body.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Authorised Person (Fire) experience.
• Extensive experience within an NHS healthcare environment.
• Experience leading fire safety governance within a large, complex organisation.
• Knowledge of HTM 05-01/05-02/05-03 and Firecode guidance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and continual improvement of the Trust Fire Safety Management System.
• Provide professional leadership and coordination of the Trust's Authorised Person (Fire) functions.
• Ensure fire safety governance arrangements comply with HTM 05-01 and Firecode guidance.
• Provide assurance reports to Executive Committees, Fire Safety Group and Trust Board committees.
• Lead fire safety strategy development and support delivery of the Trust's Fire Safety Improvement Programme.
• Maintain a comprehensive programme of Primary and Secondary Fire Risk Assessments across the estate.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Report writing

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in Fire Engineering, Fire Safety Management, Building Engineering or related discipline

Level 5 Fire Risk Assessment qualification (FireQual or recognised equivalent)

Membership of IFE / IFSM / NAHFO or equivalent

Chartered Fire Engineer or working towards chartership

Healthcare Fire Safety Management qualification

Authorised Person (Fire) experience

Job description

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an exceptionalHead of Fire Safety to provide strategic leadership and professional expertise across one of the most important safety agendas in the NHS.

This is a unique opportunity to lead the Trust's fire safety function at a pivotal time, supporting a significant programme of fire safety improvement, estate renewal and regulatory compliance. Working directly on behalf of the Director of Estates & Facilities and supporting Executive and Board-level assurance, you will play a critical role in ensuring the safety of our patients, staff and visitors across our acute and community estate. The role is described as the Trust's senior professional lead for fire safety and is responsible for leading the development and continuous improvement of the Fire Safety Management System.

As our Head of Fire Safety, you will act as the Trust's lead specialist on all matters relating to healthcare fire safety, providing expert advice, strategic leadership and technical assurance across the organisation. You will lead the implementation and continual improvement of the Trust's Fire Safety Management System in accordance with NHS Firecode, including HTM 05-01 and HTM 05-03, while ensuring compliance with relevant fire safety legislation.

Main duties of the job

Act as the Trust's lead specialist and competent adviser on all matters relating to healthcare fire safety.

• Lead the implementation and continual improvement of the Trust Fire Safety Management System.
• Provide professional leadership and coordination of the Trust's Authorised Person (Fire) functions, which may include:
  • Authorised Person (Fire Risk Assessment)
  • Authorised Person (Fire Training)
  • Authorised Person (Fire Projects)
  • Authorised Person (Fire Safety Maintenance)
• Ensure fire safety governance arrangements comply with HTM 05-01 and associated Firecode guidance.
• Provide assurance reports to Executive Committees, Fire Safety Group and Trust Board committees on fire safety compliance, risk, audit outcomes and improvement plans.
• Lead fire safety strategy development and support delivery of the Trust's Fire Safety Improvement Programme.
• Ensure a comprehensive programme of Primary and Secondary Fire Risk Assessments is maintained across the Trust estate in accordance with HTM 05-03 and that all actions are appropriately risk-assessed, prioritised, monitored and completed.

Support the Director of Estates and Facilities (Fire Safety Manager) in delivering the Trust's Fire Safety Management System and, where delegated, undertake elements of the Fire Safety Manager function in accordance with HTM 05-01

Working for our organisation

Why Join Us?

This is more than a fire safety role. It is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to patient safety and help shape the future of a large and ambitious NHS organisation.

You'll join a supportive Estates and Facilities leadership team, work closely with senior clinical and corporate leaders, and lead a high-profile programme that has direct visibility at Board level. The role has been identified as a key part of strengthening the Trust's fire safety capability and assurance arrangements.

Please note: Priority will be given to applicants with recognised 'Priority' or 'At Risk' status, including NHS staff identified across Devon

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are looking for an experienced fire safety professional who can operate confidently at both strategic and operational levels.

You will have:

Significant experience in fire safety management within a complex organisation.

• Comprehensive knowledge of:
  • HTM 05 Firecode suite
  • Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
  • Fire Safety Act 2021
  • Building Regulations
  • Building Safety Act 2022
• Experience of undertaking, reviewing or managing fire risk assessments.
• Experience of advising senior leaders and presenting assurance information at executive level.
• Strong leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills.
• Ability to manage complex risk, competing priorities and large-scale improvement programmes.

Person specification

Qualification and Training

• Degree in Fire Engineering, Fire Safety Management, Building Engineering or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Level 5 Fire Risk Assessment qualification (FireQual or recognised equivalent).
• Membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM), National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers (NAHFO) or equivalent professional body.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Demonstrable knowledge of:
  • HTM 05-01
  • HTM 05-02
  • HTM 05-03
  • Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
  • Fire Safety Act 2021
  • Building Safety Act 2022
  • Building Regulations and relevant British Standards
• Chartered Fire Engineer or working towards chartership.
• Healthcare Fire Safety Management qualification.
• Authorised Person (Fire) experience.
• Extensive experience within an NHS healthcare environment.
• Experience of leading fire safety governance arrangements within a large, complex organisation.

Knowledge and experience

• Significant experience undertaking a senior fire safety leadership role within a complex healthcare environment.
• Experience of developing and implementing Fire Safety Management Systems.
• Experience providing Board-level assurance and governance reporting.
• Experience leading fire risk assessment programmes and managing fire safety compliance improvement plans.
• Experience of advising on capital projects, fire strategies and healthcare estate developments.
• Has experience of effective partnership working with other organisations at a senior level.

Specific Skills

• Leadership and influencing skills.
• Ability to interpret legislation and implement compliance programmes.
• Strong communication and training delivery skills.
• High level/advanced IT skills required for report writing/spreadsheets, audit documents etc.
• Leadership – the ability to set out a clear direction and inspire others.
• Can prepare concise and understandable reports on complex issues.
• Policy Formulation – ability to contribute to policy formulation.
• Willingness to undertake appropriate training to enhance skills and professional development, where necessary travelling and staying away.
• Ability to be part of an on-call roster.

You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.

If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly.
• Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.
• Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
• Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
• Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
• If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
• It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.

The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.