Health & Safety Officer
BCP Salary Band 9 (SCP 28-35, £39,152 - £46,142 FTE), actual salary £21,237 - appointments will be made at the starting point of the salary range. The salary shown is pro-rated based on a 22-hour working week from the full-time equivalent.
This is a 12-month, fixed-term position for 22 hours per week to be worked across three days per week, term time plus INSET days and two weeks during the school holidays (41 weeks per year). The current office base is at Linwood Campus in Winton but it is likely to transfer to Riverwood Campus adjacent to Bournemouth Airport in 2027/28. There is a genuine occupational requirement for the postholder to have access to a vehicle for work purposes due to the multi-campus working environment.
It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
Linwood School is an Ofsted graded Outstanding SEND school operating from a number of locations within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. We are an outward facing centre of excellence in the area. Our values speak of respect, support, inclusivity, positivity, harmony, excellence and responsibility, all underpinned by our actions and personal accountability. To support our growing organisation, we are seeking a Health & Safety Officer to help our Operations Manager promote best practice across our campuses.
The role’s purpose is to provide a health and safety inspection, review and advice service, to identify and minimise risks, ensure compliance, and inform school policies and procedures, to ensure that the risks to staff, students and visitors are suitably managed and comply with the necessary legal requirements. The role will have an internal focus on health and safety compliance for Linwood School facilities and operations.
The successful candidate will have a deep knowledge of UK legislative requirements and be able to clearly explain what good practice looks like through written documentation and formal training. However, they will also be able to adopt a collaborative approach which supports other colleagues to build their competence and confidence in risk assessment, incident investigation and general safety awareness. Linwood School is filled with people who want to do their best for our students and their families, and for their colleagues; being concerned for each other’s welfare is part of that.
Key Responsibilities Include (but not limited to):
- Supporting colleagues by providing information and advice on relevant legislation / statutory frameworks and the practical application of those through school policy / procedure.
- Conducting inspections and audits, identifying improvements needed and tracking to completion
- Investigating incidents; working with leaders to identify causes, prevent a recurrence and ensure any learning is shared corporately. Analysing trends and reporting to leaders / governors.
- Identifying Health & Safety training needs and delivering training to colleagues.
- Developing school health and safety policies and the detailed arrangements to enact them.
Please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification for additional details.
Requirements Include:
- NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent and graduate membership of a relevant professional body, e.g. Institute of Occupational Health and Safety.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulatory frameworks, standards and best practice regarding health and safety.
- Thorough knowledge of processes and procedures relating to inspections, risk assessments and health and safety audits.
- Substantial experience of occupational Health and Safety in a large organisation and ideally within Education.
The role is subject to a 6-month mandatory probation during which there is an expectation that all new colleagues attend Monday after school training sessions to enhance their work in school and their skill levels. A list of training dates and topics is provided upon commencement.
For further information about the school please refer to our website: https://linwood.bournemouth.sch.uk/
Only fully completed application forms will be accepted.
Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 23rd August 2026
Interview date: Friday 4th September 2026
Safeguarding Commitment
Linwood School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful applicants will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and an overseas criminal record check if they have lived or worked outside the UK in the past 10 years. Employment offers are also subject to satisfactory references, health assessments, and right-to-work checks. All Linwood School staff are expected to adhere to our policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding and child protection, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Guidance for adults working with children and young people in an education setting.
Commitment to Diversity
At Linwood School, we take pride in being an equal opportunities employer that champions a diverse workforce. We actively seek and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, recognising that a rich tapestry of experiences enhances our ability to support our diverse student population. Our commitment to diversity not only fosters a sense of belonging but also strengthens the learning environment for everyone involved.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. If the role is exempt, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed, and if they are disclosed, we cannot take them into account.
