Health Safety and Wellbeing Lead

Job summary

As the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Lead, you will play a pivotal role in fostering a culture where health, safety and wellbeing are embedded in every aspect of organisational life. Acting as Planning Inspectorate's (PINS) senior subject matter expert, you will provide strategic leadership, trusted advice and valued guidance to senior leaders, including the Executive Team and CEO, ensuring the wellbeing and safety of our people remains a key organisational priority.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape meaningful cultural change, supporting the development of behaviours, policies and practices that enable colleagues to thrive in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment. Working across health and safety, employee wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), governance, risk management and employee engagement, you will lead the delivery of a progressive Health, Safety and Wellbeing agenda, promoting continuous improvement and encouraging collective responsibility for creating a healthier, safer and more resilient workplace.

Through visible leadership, expert guidance and partnership working, the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Lead will help ensure PINS remains a place where everyone feels safe, valued and supported to perform at their best.

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers

Job description

As the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Lead, you will lead and develop the Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HSW) function, including line management of a small team of three colleagues, setting priorities and driving high standards of performance, engagement and professional practice. You will develop, implement and continuously improve PINS' HSW strategy, policies and procedures, ensuring legal compliance, effective risk management and alignment with organisational objectives.

Acting as PINS' senior Health, Safety and Wellbeing expert, you will provide strategic advice, support and constructive challenge to senior leaders, including the Executive Team and CEO. You will champion a positive HSW culture across the organisation, influencing stakeholders at all levels to drive engagement, accountability and continuous improvement. You will be responsible for identifying, assessing and managing organisational HSW risks, overseeing governance arrangements and the Health and Safety Committee, and ensuring appropriate assurance, monitoring and reporting mechanisms are in place.

You will lead audits, inspections and compliance reviews, investigate accidents and incidents, analyse HSW performance data, and provide insights and recommendations to support informed decision making. You will also ensure managers and colleagues have access to the guidance, training and support needed to meet their Health, Safety and Wellbeing responsibilities, including those working remotely or in lone working environments. As a member of the People Leadership Team, you will role model PINS values and Civil Service Line Manager Standards, contribute to wider organisational priorities, and deputise for the Head of People Experience when required. The role also includes a periodic on call responsibility, providing expert advice and support in response to significant incidents or emerging Health, Safety and Wellbeing matters.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

This role is being advertised at Grade 7 which has a salary of £59,644 (Pay award pending). An additional allowance is paid for on-call responsibilities.

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours, Part time at 30 hours or above, available as compressed hours, flexible working hours policy available.

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based at our office in Bristol, 10-minute walk from Temple Meads train station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview. This role can expect to be in the office 1-2 times a week.

Excitingly, we're relocating to a brand new office in December, while maintaining excellent transport links with Bristol Temple Meads station still just a 10-minute walk away.

Person specification

We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria listed:

Essential Criteria

• NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent Health & Safety qualification), with the credibility and expertise to influence strategic risk management and organisational decision-making.
• A proven track record of providing visible leadership and delivering Health, Safety & Wellbeing strategies that drive sustainable culture change and measurable organisational impact.
• Significant experience of influencing, engaging and challenging stakeholders at all levels, including senior leaders, to drive positive Health, Safety & Wellbeing outcomes.
• Demonstrable expertise in assessing complex risks, interpreting data and implementing practical solutions that support organisational objectives.
• Evidence of championing continuous improvement and innovation in Health, Safety & Wellbeing, enhancing both organisational performance and employee wellbeing.

For guidance on how to structure your application please visit: About the application process , Civil Service Careers

Qualifications

NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent Health & Safety qualification

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £59,644, Planning Inspectorate contributes £17,278 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
• Generous family friendly policies.
• Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements prov