Senior Health & Safety Advisor

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; Torquay; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Senior Health & Safety Advisor to join the Corporate Health & Safety Team. Based at Torbay Hospital, you will lead expert guidance on health, safety, fire and environmental compliance across the Trust and support risk management and continuous improvement initiatives.

You will deliver engaging safety training, undertake audits, support incident investigations and help shape policies to ensure high standards of patient and staff safety

Qualifications

• NEBOSH or equivalent H&S/ Fire Diploma/ Degree required.
• Diploma in Health and Safety or Fire Risk Assessment preferred.
• Membership of a recognised professional body (IOSH/BSCS) advantageous.
• NAHFO - membership or related qualification desirable.
• Experience as a training instructor or equivalent beneficial.
• Demonstrated ability in audit and incident investigation.
• Strong knowledge of risk assessment and safety management.

Responsibilities

• Act as a subject matter expert on health and safety, fire safety and environmental compliance.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to managers and staff across the Trust.
• Promote and embed a culture where health and safety is everyone's responsibility.
• Influence and support decision-making to ensure legal and regulatory compliance is maintained.
• Conduct health and safety audits, workplace inspections and compliance reviews.
• Monitor compliance with health and safety legislation, standards and Trust policies.
• Support the development, implementation and review of policies, procedures and safe systems of work.
• Ensure the Trust remains compliant with new and existing legislative requirements.

Skills

Health and safety auditing

Incident investigation

Risk assessment

Training delivery

Regulatory compliance

Education

NEBOSH or equivalent H&S/ Fire Diploma/ Degree

Diploma in Health and Safety or Fire Risk Assessment

Member of IOSH/British Safety Council

NAHFO membership or related qualification

Major Incident Trainer / Security Trainer

Qualified training instructor or equivalent

Root Cause Analysis Training

Job description

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Health & Safety Advisor

The closing date is 16 November 2026

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Health & Safety Advisor to join our Corporate Health & Safety Team.

Reporting to the Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ), you will play a key role in supporting the delivery of the highest standards of health, safety, fire, environmental and Display Screen Equipment (DSE) compliance across Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

As a trusted specialist, you will provide expert advice, assurance, training and compliance auditing across a diverse range of healthcare and corporate environments. You will support the management of incidents, investigations, risk assessments and regulatory compliance activities, helping to ensure safe environments for our patients, visitors and staff.

This is an excellent opportunity for a confident and experienced health and safety professional who is passionate about promoting a positive safety culture, driving continuous improvement, and influencing change across a complex organisation.

IMPORTANT

• Please note that should you be successful in the selection process, you will be expected to work office based at Torbay Hospital
• Previous applicants need not reapply unless they can demonstrate a significant improvement in their application since their last submission.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be a proactive and influential professional with excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

You will:

• Provide expert advice and guidance on health, safety, fire and environmental compliance matters across the Trust.
• Deliver engaging health and safety and fire safety training programmes to staff at all levels.
• Undertake audits, inspections and compliance monitoring activities to ensure adherence to legislation, standards and Trust policies.
• Support the investigation of incidents, near misses and safety concerns, identifying learning opportunities and improvements.
• Advise managers on risk assessments and support the management of departmental, divisional and corporate risks.
• Promote a positive health and safety culture through effective engagement, leadership and communication.
• Work collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical teams to improve compliance and operational safety.
• Contribute to the development and review of health and safety policies, procedures and guidance.
• Support organisational learning and continuous improvement through analysis of incidents, audits and emerging risks.

We are looking for an individual who leads by example, demonstrates professional integrity, embraces innovation and consistently delivers a high-quality customer-focused service.

About us

As an integrated care organisation, our Trust's purpose is to provide safe, high-quality health and social care at the right time and in the right place, enabling the people of Torbay and South Devon to live their lives to the full.

The Workplace Services Division employs approximately 600 colleagues and delivers essential support services across all Trust sites. These services underpin the provision of clinical care and operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our Corporate Health & Safety Team is a small, specialist team providing expert advice and assurance in:

• Corporate Health & Safety
• Estates and Facilities Quality Management

We are committed to recruiting people who share and demonstrate our Trust values:

• Working Together for People
• Commitment to Quality Care
• Compassion
• Improving Lives
• Everyone Counts
• Respect and Dignity

These values are at the heart of everything we do and guide the way we work with patients, colleagues and our communities.

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

Job responsibilities

The Senior Health & Safety Advisor will:

• Act as a subject matter expert on health and safety, fire safety and environmental compliance.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to managers and staff across the Trust.
• Promote and embed a culture where health and safety is everyone's responsibility.
• Influence and support decision-making to ensure legal and regulatory compliance is maintained.
• Conduct health and safety audits, workplace inspections and compliance reviews.
• Monitor compliance with health and safety legislation, standards and Trust policies.
• Support the development, implementation and review of policies, procedures and safe systems of work.
• Ensure the Trust remains compliant with new and existing legislative requirements.
• Advise on risk assessments and risk management processes.
• Support and lead investigations into incidents, near misses, complaints and safety concerns as required.
• Analyse trends and emerging risks to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Contribute to the management of Departmental, Divisional and Corporate Risk Registers.
• Deliver training, presentations and awareness programmes to internal stakeholders.
• Engage staff in promoting safe and healthy working practices.
• Work in partnership with Safety Representatives and other professional groups to improve workplace safety.
• Support organisational learning through the sharing of lessons learned and best practice

Liaise with regulatory and enforcement bodies including:

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• Police
• Crown Prosecution Service
• Local Authorities
• External Contractors and Service Provider

Work collaboratively with specialist teams including:

• Occupational Health
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Moving and Handling
• Violence and Aggression Teams
• Estates and Facilities Compliance
• Learning and Development
• Support the Workplace Services leadership team in delivering safe, effective and patient-focused services.
• Champion innovation, staff engagement and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Act as a role model, promoting inclusive leadership and professional behaviours.
• Support equality, diversity and inclusion by ensuring all staff have opportunities for development and progression.
• Take responsibility for maintaining professional competence through ongoing training and continuous professional development.

You will be expected to work flexibly across Trust sites and contribute to the ongoing development of a culture of safety, compliance and continuous improvement throughout the organisation.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

• NEBOSH or Equivalent H&S/ Fire Diploma/ Degree or working at degree level.
• Extensive experience of safety auditing
• Diploma in Health and Safety or Fire Risk Assessment
• Qualified training instructor or equivalent experience
• Evidence of academic/personal development
• Member of professional body i.e. IOSH/British Safety Council
• NAHFO - membership required or gained professional qualification in discipline related to health and safety or fire assessment/HTM
• Major Incident Trainer, Security Trainer
• Security Assessor
• Root Cause Analysis Training

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

£39,959 to £48,117 a yearper annum (pro rata)