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Job Title


Heath and Safety Lead - East


Company : Hft


Location : Bedford, Eastern


Created : 2026-01-08


Job Type : Full Time


Job Description

As our Health & Safety Lead for the East region, youll play a critical role in ensuring Hft remains a safe, compliant and thriving place to work. Reporting to the Head of Health, Safety and Risk, you will provide expert advice, undertake audits and assessments, and support continuous improvement across our services. You will lead on Type 1 and Type 2 fire risk assessments in Specialist Housing and Residential Care Homes, ensuring robust safety management and regulatory compliance. This is a fantastic role for someone who enjoys autonomy, problem-solving, relationship-building and making a tangible difference.For a complete understanding of this opportunity, and what will be required to be a successful applicant, read on.Key ResponsibilitiesHealth & Safety LeadershipManage day-to-day notifications, risk assessments and advice within your region.Provide first-line guidance on accidents and incidents, escalating significant events appropriately.Conduct accident/incident investigations to identify root causes and drive learning.Ensure statutory reporting of RIDDOR events.Compliance & AssuranceComplete scheduled Type 1 and Type 2 fire risk assessments and support organisational fire safety management.Undertake audits, inspections and assessments to ensure compliance with legislation and Hft policies.Monitor KPIs, trends and compliance data, providing insights to support organisational improvement.Support ISO 45001 and CHAS accreditation activity.Collaboration & Relationship ManagementWork closely with Care and Support Managers to embed safe systems of work.Build strong, supportive relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders.Provide input at meetings to evidence health and safety compliance and improvement.Operational EffectivenessSupport legal evidence gathering for cases/claims when required.Participate in rapid support teams for high-risk services.Identify opportunities to enhance safety processes, customer service and efficiency.Professional PracticeProvide guidance on food safety management.Maintain CPD, training and professional standards aligned with IOSH/IFSM/IFE requirements.Support Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Wellbeing initiatives.About YouTo be successful in this role, you will have:EssentialNEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent).Level 3 Fire Safety/Fire Risk Assessment qualification.Minimum 2 years experience completing Type 1 & Type 2 fire risk assessments.Experience conducting fire risk assessments in specialised housing or residential care settings.Experience carrying out audits and improvement work, balancing innovation with compliance.Strong understanding of health & social care safety regulations.Proficiency in H&S, fire risk assessment and risk management systems, plus Microsoft applications.Strong analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends and produce reports.Confident, adaptable communicator with the ability to build trust and embed safe practice.Ability to prioritise, plan and manage a dynamic workload independently.Willingness to travel across the West region (including overnight stays).DesirableTechIOSH, or working toward Level 6 Diploma.Membership of IFE/IFSM or Fire Risk Assessor Register.Level 3 Supervising Food Safety qualification.DSE Assessor training.Experience within Care or Housing sectors.Our ValuesAt Hft, our values guide everything we do:Diverse We champion equity, diversity and inclusion.Kind Compassion is at the heart of our work.Positive We find solutions and work together for progress.Visionary We imagine and create the best life possible.Why Join Us?Youll be part of a passionate, supportive team committed to improving lives. Youll have room to grow professionally, influence improvements across your region, and make a real impact on the wellbeing of both staff and the people we support.All Hft employees get access to the LifeWorks the worlds biggest 24/7 colleague counselling and support service. xjdpvnf It is completely free for all colleagues to use in complete confidence, whenever and however they want to access it.Access to a range of discounts on your favourite brands through LifeworkAccess to award winning training and development Hft is one of only four charities to have achieved the Skills for Care Centre of Excellence provider statusA contributory pension scheme & life assuranceFree DBS checkApply today!