Senior Health, Safety & Fire Advisor

Ministry of Justice; Great Bowden; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a Health and Safety Advisor to support the delivery of national safety goals. Responsibilities include advising establishments on health, safety, and fire protocols, monitoring compliance with regulations, leading training sessions, and coordinating safety audits. Candidates must hold at least a NEBOSH General Certificate and will need to complete further qualifications upon appointment. The role offers hybrid working arrangements and various flexible working options.

Benefits

Hybrid working arrangements

Flexible working patterns

Professional development support

Qualifications

• Experience in health and safety management within a similar setting required.
• Ability to lead and support audits and inspections.
• Proven track record of delivering effective safety training.

Responsibilities

• Advising on local HSF&L documentation updates.
• Monitoring health and safety documentation quality.
• Conducting training for HSF&L management and compliance.

Skills

Health and Safety advice

Training delivery

Incident coordination

Leadership skills

Monitoring performance

Education

NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent

NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent (within 3 years)

HMPPS Fire Risk Assessment qualification (within 1 year)

HMPPS RPE Training qualification

Chartered membership of IOSH (within 2 years)

Job description

Job Overview

This is a functional management job within a small, PSP HSF team, line managed by the Principle Health, Safety, Fire and Litigation Advisor. The post-holder is responsible for supporting the delivery of national HSF priorities and plans via advice, influence, training and monitoring across a small group of establishments.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and advise relevant groups on updating, consulting and seeking approval of local HSF&L documentation.
• Monitor and report on the presence and quality of H&S documentation such as risk assessments and fire risk assessments.
• Engage actively with internal audit processes and with managers who influence HSF risk (violence reduction, safer custody, staff rostering, adjudication, attendance, offender management).
• Advise establishment sponsors, SMTs and governors on effectiveness of current HSF controls.
• Ensure establishments are consulted about national policy changes through formal channels (SMTs, H&S committees, Whitley Councils, safety reps).
• Monitor and report HSF&L performance through workplace inspection programs and collate inspection findings.
• Lead governance and assurance site visits, providing reports and feedback to Governors and HSF&L sponsors.
• Provide professional support to BAS: HS&F Advisor and key staff for the HSF Management System (immunisation, litigation, first aid).
• Report on HSF&L performance using PHASE analysis, Sphera data, accident and assault analytics, and other suitable sources.
• Co‑ordinate immunisation, stress and MSD activity with OHAs and HRBPs.
• Attend establishment HSF&L committees, providing advice, support and progress reporting.
• Maintain the HSF&L risk register and present it at relevant meetings.
• Guide litigation casework, support SMTs on lessons learned and prevent reoccurring incidents.
• Draft, approve annual performance and assurance reports for senior management.
• Assist staff in identifying HSF&L training needs and monitor progress against training plans.
• Deliver a range of HSF&L training (HSF Management, Stress Awareness, Fire awareness, RPE use, Sphera Training, Hazard Identification, Workplace Inspection Training, Litigation awareness, Risk assessment, Accident reporting and investigation).
• Engage with contract works planning and inspection of construction works (pre‑contract, ‘420’ meetings, contractor visits). Provide reports to the Principle Health, Safety, Fire and Litigation Advisor.
• Engage with on‑site service providers, develop arrangements, authorise by senior management and report performance regularly.
• Support HMPPS Service Managers on HSF&L requirements for premises, plant and equipment inspection and testing.
• Lead or participate in groups that develop HSF&L (stress management groups, risk assessment groups).
• Develop specialisms agreed with the Principle Health, Safety, Fire and Litigation Advisor and share knowledge with the team.
• Identify and assess first aid needs and monitor compliance with national and local needs.
• Provide support on regional and national HSF&L developments.
• Carry out peer audits/inspections of other HMPPS offices and provide feedback via the Principle Health, Safety, Fire and Litigation Advisor.
• Co‑ordinate investigations into incidents, ensuring serious incidents are reported thoroughly and lessons are shared across departments and establishments.
• Monitor Sphera for new incidents, correct data quality and coordinate subsequent Sphera action requests.
• Ensure quality control of Sphera data, upload documentation to the system and maintain annual validation programme agreed by national policy sections.
• Co‑ordinate with outside agencies and stakeholders on Health, Safety and Fire issues.
• Manage BAS: HS&F Advisor staff, including performance, development, appraisal and sickness absence management.
• Maintain professional membership via CPD and support staff in achieving mandatory qualifications and membership.
• Ensure the establishment immunisation programme is delivered and report via the OHA and establishment immunisation co‑ordinator.
• Produce, review and monitor Building Fire Risk Assessments within the relevant Prison Group.
• Meet regularly with PSP Litigation Caseworkers to discuss litigation cases and disseminate learning within establishments.
• Provide support, leadership and guidance for the BAS: HS&F Advisor.
• Deliver and implement projects directed by the Principle Health, Safety, Fire and Litigation Advisor.
• Attend relevant boards and SMT meetings, producing reports on HSF&L performance/assurance and actively contributing.

Qualifications & Training

• Minimum of NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent.
• Within 3 years of appointment: NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent.
• Within 1 year of appointment: HMPPS Fire Risk Assessment qualification.
• Immediately upon appointment: HMPPS RPE Training Qualification.
• Within 2 years of completing NEBOSH Diploma: Chartered membership of IOSH.

Benefits & Working Arrangements

Hybrid working arrangements are available, allowing work from base location, MoJ sites or home. Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week (excluding unpaid breaks). All applications for part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS Flexible Working policy. The holiday year runs from 1 March. The post holder will hold a minimum of NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent and must successfully complete the required training qualifications within the specified timeframes, as detailed under Qualifications & Training.