Head of Corporate Health & Safety Services

Job Overview

Open only to applicants from Hampshire & Isle of Wight NHS system, which is limited to Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB, Southern Health FT, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trust, University Hospital Southampton FT, Solent NHS Trust, South Central Ambulance Service or Hampshire Hospitals FT.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Corporate Health & Safety Services at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS). This is a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our team.

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Working for our organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

The post holder will:

Be appointed to act as a competent person to provide professional expert guidance and advice on Health and Safety matters.

Support all levels of the organisation as required under relevant statutory provisions.

Represent the Trust in its interactions regarding Health and Safety with key external stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

Lead implementation of the Trusts violence and aggression action plan alongside the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer and Chief People Officer.

Ensure that key safety management functions are implemented and embedded throughout UHS NSHFT and by so doing positively influence the Trust's position which provides the greatest level of assurance in relation to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), National Health Service England (NHSE), NHS Resolution (NHSR) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

 Advise and support clinical decision-making processes with regards to specialist patient care and staff safety requirements.

Work in close partnership with the Care Group leadership structures, and wider Trust to create an environment which promotes and supports safety for our patients, staff, and visitors.

UHS offers fantastic training and development giving you the best possible opportunities to achieve the career you want. Development of our staff is central to the delivery of high quality, safe and effective care. We can offer opportunities to develop within a supportive environment, and our staff survey results reflect our commitment to facilitate your career progression.

Person specification

Physical requirements of the post

Essential criteria

• Health and physical abilities sufficient for the post (if necessary with reasonable adjustments with respect to the Equality Act/Disability Discrimination Act).
  
  

Qualifications / Training Required

Essential criteria

• Degree or equivalent experience
• Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner (CMIOSH)
• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent which allows chartered membership of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH)
• Membership of professional body, IOSH/IIRSM
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Risk Management or General management qualification
  
  

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential criteria

• Experience and understanding of the requirements for reporting to enforcing authorities (HSE, Commissioners, CQC, DHSC)
• Extensive specialist knowledge and understanding of workplace health and safety law.
• Experience of multidisciplinary working in a large organisation.
• Experience of working with external, local and national partners and organisations.
• Experience of writing and developing policies, guidelines and business cases to improve service delivery.
• Experience of assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of training programmes.
• Experience of high-level report writing
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Experience of coordinating, external service reviews (HSE).
• Experience and knowledge of the principles and practice of risk management, complaints, PALS.
  
  

Aptitudes And Skills Required

Essential criteria

• Computer literate in all Microsoft packages.
  
  

Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together