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Islington Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Islington Council is seeking a Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing to lead the strategic approach to keeping staff safe, healthy and performing at their best. You will act as the council’s competent person under health and safety regulations, guide an advisory team and ensure governance and assurance duties are fulfilled.

You will oversee occupational health contracts, counselling services, and our national partnership with YPO, shaping practice across Islington and beyond.

Qualifications

• Experienced, professionally qualified health and safety leader with strong knowledge of safety law, wellbeing practice and safety management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic approach to keeping colleagues safe, well and able to do their best work.
• Act as the council’s competent person under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
• Lead a skilled advisory team and ensure statutory, governance and assurance responsibilities are met.
• Oversee occupational health and counselling contracts and national partnership with YPO.

Skills

Health and safety leadership

Safety law knowledge

Wellbeing practice

Safety management systems

Advising senior leaders

Job description

At Islington, our purpose is clear: we work together for a more equal future. We want to be led by our CARE values and focused on delivering great work for residents and communities.

As Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing, you will lead our strategic approach to keeping colleagues safe, well and able to do their best work. You will act as the council’s competent person under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, lead a skilled advisory team, and ensure our statutory, governance and assurance responsibilities are met.

A key pillar of our Workforce Strategy 2026–30 is wellbeing, resilience and working safely. In this role, you will use evidence, data and insight to identify risks early, target support, strengthen prevention and help colleagues sustain both wellbeing and performance over time. You will also oversee our occupational health and counselling contracts and lead our national partnership with YPO, giving you the opportunity to shape practice across Islington and influence the wider sector.

We are looking for an experienced, professionally qualified health and safety leader with strong knowledge of safety law, wellbeing practice and safety management systems. You will be confident advising senior leaders, translating complex requirements into practical action, and working collaboratively with services, Public Health, trade unions, colleague forums and partners to build a safe, inclusive and health-promoting workplace.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Julie Arthurs, Director of HR, at [e-mail].

Working for our organisation

Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.

Our offer to you

We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Our staff benefits include:

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
• Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas, and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination.

We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.

We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone’s identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.

We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.

Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.

Pre‑Employment Checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre‑employment checks. These may include:

• Proof of address
• Evidence of any name changes (if applicable)
• Right to work in the UK
• Overseas criminal record check (if applicable)
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable)

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Disability Confident Scheme

Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Company: Islington Council

Salary: £75,696 to £79,629 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: London, N1 1XR

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 11 Sept 2026

Closing date: 5 Oct 2026

Summary

About The Role

At Islington, our purpose is clear: we work together for a more equal future. We want to be led by our CARE values and focused on delivering great work for residents and communities.

As Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing, you will lead our strategic approach to keeping colleagues safe, well and able to do their best work. You will act as the council’s competent person under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, lead a skilled advisory team, and ensure our statutory, governance and assurance responsibilities are met.

A key pillar of our Workforce Strategy 2026–30 is wellbeing, resilience and working safely. In this role, you will use evidence, data and insight to identify risks early, target support, strengthen prevention and help colleagues sustain both wellbeing and performance over time. You will also oversee our occupational health and counselling contracts and lead our national partnership with YPO, giving you the opportunity to shape practice across Islington and influence the wider sector.

We are looking for an experienced, professionally qualified health and safety leader with strong knowledge of safety law, wellbeing practice and safety management systems. You will be confident advising senior leaders, translating complex requirements into practical action, and working collaboratively with services, Public Health, trade unions, colleague forums and partners to build a safe, inclusive and health-promoting workplace.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Julie Arthurs, Director of HR, at [e-mail].

Working for our organisation

Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.

Our offer to you

We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Our staff benefits include:

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
• Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas, and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination.

We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.

We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone’s identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.

We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.

Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.

Pre‑Employment Checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre‑employment checks. These may include:

• Proof of address
• Evidence of any name changes (if applicable)
• Right to work in the UK
• Overseas criminal record check (if applicable)
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable)

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Disability Confident Scheme

Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.