Health Safety Lead

Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools; United States; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car Allowance

Pension and Life Assurance

25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Access to digital GP services 24/7

Job summary

Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools is seeking an experienced Health & Safety Lead to ensure compliance across multiple sites. The role involves developing health and safety strategies, conducting audits, and providing training to staff.

You will work remotely with regular travel along the M4 Corridor and support a culture of safety and compliance within the organization. A full-time position with a salary of £45,000–£50,000 per annum plus a car allowance awaits the ideal candidate.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Health & Safety role across multiple sites.
• Ability to confidently advise and influence teams.
• Experience managing COSHH processes and audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead health and safety compliance across the nursery group.
• Ensure policies and procedures are compliant with legislation.
• Conduct audits and incident investigations.

Skills

Health and safety compliance

Knowledge of UK legislation

Strong communication skills

Auditing experience

Relationship-building skills

Problem-solving capability

Training and coaching

Education

NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent

Higher-level H&S qualification (NEBOSH Diploma or IOSH Membership)

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced and professionally qualified Health & Safety Lead to join our growing organisation in a newly created role supporting our nursery group across multiple sites.

Health & Safety Lead

Salary £45,000–£50,000 per annum DOE plus Car Allowance

Remote with regular travel across the M4 Corridor

Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Permanent

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident and knowledgeable H&S professional who thrives on creating safe, compliant, and well-managed environments. You’ll bring strong technical expertise, practical experience, and the ability to influence positively across all levels of the organisation.

You’ll take ownership of health and safety strategy and compliance across the group, ensuring our nurseries, teams, and operational practices consistently meet legislative requirements and best practice standards. This role requires someone who is confident providing expert guidance, conducting audits and investigations, and driving meaningful improvements across both operational and maintenance environments.

As a newly established role, you’ll have the autonomy to influence systems, strengthen compliance culture, and implement best practice across all nursery settings. You’ll work closely with senior leadership, site teams, external consultants, and regulators to ensure our environments remain safe, compliant, and supportive for children and colleagues alike.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys balancing strategic oversight with hands‑on operational involvement and who takes pride in delivering high‑quality, practical health and safety leadership.

What you’ll do:

• Lead all aspects of health and safety compliance across the nursery group
• Ensure policies, procedures, and risk assessments remain fully compliant with current legislation and best practice
• Regularly review and update health and safety documentation to reflect regulatory changes
• Maintain and oversee COSHH registers, ensuring safe storage, handling, and use of hazardous substances
• Conduct and review Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) and ensure robust action plans are implemented and monitored
• Carry out regular audits, inspections, and incident investigations across multiple sites
• Analyse accident and incident data to identify trends and implement preventative actions
• Monitor compliance standards and produce clear improvement plans where required
• Support nursery teams during Environmental Health Officer (EHO) inspections and ensure actions are completed through to resolution
• Deliver practical health and safety advice, coaching, and training to managers, staff, and maintenance teams
• Produce reports and compliance updates for senior leadership teams
• Work collaboratively with external H&S consultants, auditors, insurers, and regulators
• Promote a positive and proactive safety culture across the organisation

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience working in a dedicated Health & Safety role across multiple sites
• Strong working knowledge of UK health and safety legislation and compliance requirements
• Professional Health & Safety qualification such as NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent
• Experience managing COSHH processes and conducting or overseeing Fire Risk Assessments
• Ability to confidently advise, influence, and support teams across operational environments
• Strong audit, investigation, and reporting experience
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and problem‑solving capability
• Confident working independently while managing competing priorities across multiple locations
• Experience within childcare, education, healthcare, or similarly regulated environments
• Higher‑level H&S qualification such as NEBOSH Diploma or IOSH Membership
• Experience supporting both operational and facilities/maintenance functions
• Experience working alongside external regulators and inspection bodies

What you’ll get:

• Car Allowance and optional EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
• Remote working with regular site travel
• Pension and Life Assurance*
• Funded Blue Light Card Membership
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Up to four additional gifted days during Christmas closure
• Additional celebration day each year*
• Funded DBS Update Service
• Access to digital GP services 24/7
• On‑demand counselling support
• Extensive wellbeing support through the SPARK App
• Long Service recognition and celebration

*Subject to eligibility criteria

Safeguarding commitment

Happy Days Nurseries is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All roles are subject to appropriate vetting and safeguarding checks.