Head of Health, Safety & Wellbeing

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About The Role

At Islington, we're passionate about creating a culture that not only ensures the health and safety of our c.5,000 colleagues but also focuses on their wellbeing. We want our colleagues to feel supported at work, ensuring that our health, safety and wellbeing responsibilities are at the core of everything we do, taking a more holistic and integrated approach.

In our newly created Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing role, you will act as the council's 'competent person' as required by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. You will be responsible for leading a team that ensures the council can carry out its statutory health and safety and governance responsibilities, proactively identifying service improvements across the Council and developing a strategic plan to address potential risks with early intervention and prevention at its heart.

One of the pillars in our workforce strategy is 'wellbeing and resilience' and you will work collaboratively and proactively using data to target interventions for colleagues across the Council to help keep absence levels low and increase wellbeing. Your responsibility for our occupational health and counselling contracts and lead role in our national partnership with YPO provide an opportunity for us to lead the way across the sector.

We are looking for someone qualified in Occupational Safety and Health with a comprehensive knowledge of health, safety and wellbeing, safety law and practice and safety management systems. You will have the ability to use a range of source information to advise on regulations, codes of practice and workplace health and wellbeing initiatives.

You will be passionate about taking a more holistic approach to health, safety and wellbeing, recognising that supporting both the physical and mental health of our colleagues results in a more engaged and committed workforce.

Reporting to the Director of HR, you will be responsible for a team of six H&S advisors. You will work closely with the council's disability and wellbeing officer, Public Health colleagues, trade unions and our disabled colleague forum to collaboratively make sure we are doing everything we can for the health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues.

For further information or for an informal conversation about the post, please contact:

Julie Foy, Director of HR at [email protected]

Working for the team, service and our organisation

Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn't be clearer: we serve. It's in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out 'CARE', which is what we think public service is all about.

Our offer to you

We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Our staff benefits include:

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
• Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!

Recruitment information

It is the policy of Islington Council that no user of service, present or future employee or job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of their sex, perceived or actual sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion or belief, age, creed, colour, nationality, national origin, ethnic origin, or disability, or on the grounds of their association with someone in one of these groups; nor is disadvantaged by any conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justified. We welcome applications from Black and Minority Ethnic candidates and acknowledge our responsibility to mitigate against racial discrimination.

Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

The post is subject to a qualifications check and 3/5 years referencing.

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.