Fire, Health and Safety Advisor
Location: Remote, with regular travel throughout the UK.
Salary: Up to £43,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus £4,800 annual car allowance.
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Fire, Health and Safety Advisor to support CareTech's diverse portfolio of residential, supported living, education and office-based services across the UK. Working remotely, with regular travel to operational sites, you will provide competent advice and guidance on all aspects of fire safety, health and safety compliance, and risk management.
The successful candidate will work closely with operational managers and senior leaders to promote a positive safety culture, ensure compliance with current legislation, and support continuous improvement across the organisation. This is an excellent opportunity for a knowledgeable health and safety professional who enjoys working independently while building strong relationships with colleagues across multiple locations.
The role requires regular travel throughout the UK, including occasional overnight stays where business needs require.
Essential Requirements
Level 4 qualification (or equivalent) in Health and Safety and/or Fire Safety, such as the NEBOSH National General Certificate, NEBOSH Fire Safety Certificate, or equivalent recognised qualification.
Alternatively, Level 3 qualification in Health and Safety and/or Fire Safety with a minimum of three years' demonstrable experience in a Health and Safety or Fire Safety advisory role.
Proven experience conducting Fire Risk Assessments in accordance with current fire safety legislation and recognised guidance.
Sound working knowledge of UK health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, RIDDOR, COSHH, PUWER, and LOLER.
Experience of carrying out workplace inspections, compliance audits, accident investigations, and producing detailed reports with practical recommendations.
Ability to develop, review and implement health, safety and fire safety policies, procedures, and risk assessments.
Experience delivering health and safety and fire safety training to managers and employees.
Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills with the ability to build positive working relationships at all levels.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities across a diverse portfolio of sites.
Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications and electronic incident/reporting systems.
Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel extensively between CareTech locations as required.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a wider Health, Safety and Fire team.
Commitment to continuous professional development and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and best practice.
Experience in continuous quality improvement within Health & Safety, with the ability to support and implement change effectively.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct comprehensive fire, health and safety risk assessments across residential homes, supported living services, offices, schools, and other CareTech locations, identifying hazards and implementing effective control measures to minimise risks to service users, employees, visitors, and contractors.
Review, monitor and update risk assessments in line with legislative requirements, changes to working practices, incidents, and organisational developments.
Carry out scheduled and unannounced site inspections, audits, and compliance visits to ensure adherence to company policies, statutory requirements, and best practice in health, safety, fire safety, and environmental management.
Develop, review and implement Health, Safety and Fire policies, procedures, guidance documents, and safe systems of work that support operational teams in maintaining safe working environments.
Advise managers and senior leadership on compliance with current UK legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, COSHH Regulations, RIDDOR, PUWER, LOLER, and other relevant legislation.
Provide competent advice on fire safety arrangements, including fire risk assessments, evacuation strategies, Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs), compartmentation, emergency planning, fire drills, and fire prevention measures.
Support homes and services in maintaining compliance with Care Quality Commission (CQC), Ofsted (where applicable), Local Authority, and Fire and Rescue Service requirements.
Investigate accidents, incidents, near misses, dangerous occurrences, and fire-related events, identifying root causes and recommending corrective and preventative actions to reduce recurrence.
Manage incident reporting systems, ensuring accurate recording, trend analysis, statistical reporting, and timely submission of RIDDOR reports where applicable.
Produce detailed inspection reports, audit findings, action plans, and management reports, monitoring progress to ensure recommendations are implemented within agreed timescales.
Design, deliver and facilitate health, safety and fire safety training for managers, employees, and new starters, promoting a positive safety culture throughout the organisation.
Provide guidance and coaching to operational managers on risk management, safe working practices, manual handling, lone working, violence and aggression, infection prevention, and emergency procedures.
Monitor contractor activities to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements, permit-to-work systems, risk assessments, and method statements.
Support the management of fire safety equipment and systems, ensuring fire alarms, emergency lighting, extinguishers, evacuation equipment, and other life safety systems are appropriately maintained and inspected.
Advise on the safe storage, handling and disposal of hazardous substances in accordance with COSHH and environmental legislation.
Ensure statutory inspections and maintenance programmes are completed for plant, machinery, lifting equipment, electrical systems, gas installations, and other safety-critical equipment.
Liaise with enforcing authorities including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Fire and Rescue Services, Environmental Health Officers, insurers, and external auditors during inspections and investigations.
Assist in the planning and implementation of business continuity and emergency response procedures for operational services.
Analyse health and safety performance data, identifying trends and developing initiatives to improve compliance and reduce accidents and incidents.
Produce regular management reports, safety alerts, newsletters and communications to promote continuous improvement and share lessons learned across the organisation.
Support safeguarding by ensuring environmental risks affecting vulnerable adults and children are identified, managed and reported appropriately.
Maintain accurate records of inspections, audits, fire risk assessments, training, statutory testing, and compliance documentation.
Keep abreast of changes in legislation, Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs), British Standards, HSE guidance, and sector-specific best practice, ensuring organisational compliance at all times.
Promote a positive health, safety and wellbeing culture by encouraging employee engagement, continuous improvement, and shared responsibility for safety across all CareTech services.
