Head of Health & Safety

Job description

Job responsibilities

Acorns Children's Hospice are looking for a Head of Health and Safety to lead, develop, and implement a robust Health and Safety (H&S) strategy across the organisation.

About the Role

At Acorns Childrens Hospice we offer specialist palliative care and support for children and their families across the West Midlands from our three hospices. Each hospice has specially decorated bedrooms, therapy rooms, a hydrotherapy room and dining facilities. 

As Head of H&S, you will:

• Develop and deliver the organisation-wide Health and Safety strategy aligned with Acorns objectives
• Ensure the organisation meets statutory and regulatory requirements, including Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations, CQC Fundamental Standards (as a healthcare charity), Healthcare-specific H&S guidance, and ISO 45001 standards where applicable
• Create, review, and update H&S policies, procedures, and management systems to maintain compliance and best practice
• Provide expert advice and guidance to Trustees, Executive Directors, and Senior Leadership Team
• Support managers to complete safety audits, investigations, and root cause analysis for incidents, accidents, and near-misses.
• Develop and maintain emergency plans, including fire safety, evacuation, pandemic response, and incident escalation

About You

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent qualification in Occupational Health and Safety
• Extensive experience in a senior H&S leadership role, ideally within healthcare or a regulated environment
• Strong knowledge of H&S legislation, risk management, and governance
• Experience in developing and implementing organisational H&S strategies

What We Offer

• £50,000 to £60000 per annum plus car allowance
• 37.5 hours per week
• Based at your nearest Acorns Hospice (Walsall, Birmingham or Worcester), with travel across the region
• Employee discounts from leading retailers
• Employee gym discount scheme
• Bike-to-Work scheme
• Generous contribution to group personal pension plan or continuation of current NHS pension scheme
• NHS pension scheme life assurance or Acorns group life assurance scheme

Interviews are scheduled to be held on 1 September

You need to be eligible to work in the UK to be considered for this role. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and therefore any successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check for children and will be asked to provide two satisfactory references.  In addition, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of immunisation against specific diseases or confirm their willingness to receive the necessary vaccinations.

As a UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting organisation, we are committed to ensuring that the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child is embedded into both culture and practice within the organisation. As an employee you will be a Duty Bearer for Childrens Rights and support all children to be Rights Holders.

If you have any questions, please contact us at recruitment@acorns.org.uk

Find out about our culture, career development, benefits and more here: Why Work for Acorns?

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent qualification in Occupational Health and Safety

Desirable

• Chartered Membership of IOSH (CMIOSH) or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience in a senior H&S leadership role, ideally within healthcare or a regulated environment, knowledge of H&S legislation, risk management, and governance

Desirable

• Experience working in a healthcare setting, Charity experience

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust

Address

Acorns in Birmingham Hospice

103 Oak Tree Lane

Birmingham

West Midlands

B29 6HZ

Employer's website

https://www.acorns.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)