Health Safety and Wellbeing Lead

Planning Inspectorate -
Bristol

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Job details

Permanent | Part-time | Full-time
£59,644 a year
2 hours ago

Benefits

Annual leave
Company pension
Transport links
Flexible schedule

Qualifications

Presentation skills
Risk management
Health and safety experience
Leadership
Communication skills

Full job description

Details

Reference number

475153

Salary

£59,644

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

PINS - Corporate Services - People Unit

Type of role

Governance
Health and Safety
Human Resources

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time

Number of jobs available

Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information

Location

Bristol

About the job

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 peoples 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. 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 organisational risk management and strategic decision-making.
Proven track record of leading and embedding sustainable culture change within complex, multi-stakeholder organisations, creating environments where health, safety and wellbeing are integral to organisational performance.
Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage, challenge and inspire stakeholders at all levels, including senior leaders, and to translate complex health and safety concepts into clear, compelling messages.
Demonstrable ability to analyse complex organisational risks, interpret data and insights, and develop pragmatic solutions that support business objectives while maintaining robust health and safety standards.
A proactive and forward-thinking approach to Health, Safety and Wellbeing, driving continuous improvement, fostering innovation, and ensuring policies and practices support both employee wellbeing and organisational success.
Experience of developing and implementing strategic Health, Safety and Wellbeing frameworks that enhance organisational culture, improve performance and deliver measurable outcomes.

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

Qualifications

NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent Level 6 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 .

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 Kings 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 provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application

Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:

A CV: The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the essential criteria of the job you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.
A Personal Statement (1000 words max): The personal statement lets you explain why you're a good fit for the job in more detail. Use it to show how you meet the essential criteria listed in our advert and connect your answers to the Success Profile elements we're looking for.

All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, you will:

Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
Interviews will be a blend of behaviour, strength and experience questions

Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations.

Other Information

Shortlist Date: 27th August 2026

Interview Date: 9th & 10th September 2026

Interviews will be held at The Planning Inspectorate, Bristol, further details will be sent with the invite to interview.

The Planning Inspectorate does not fund travel and subsistence for candidates to attend interviews.

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for a period of 9 months from which further appointments can be made.

Future Matches

Candidates who demonstrate strong potential and future readiness but score just below the required level at interview may be considered for alternative positions. These roles may be at a lower grade but align with their skills and offer opportunities for growth.

We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification.

ID and Documents

If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.

We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.

Visa Sponsorship

The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.

Disability Confident Interview scheme/Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service values diversity and offers equal opportunities. We have a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the job's minimum criteria. We will also provide reasonable adjustments to all where possible. For more information please see Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Name : Nicky Gallagher
Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

Email : [email protected]

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact in the first instance: The Vacancy Manager via the Recruitment Team ([email protected]).
If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you should then contact, Chief People Officer, via the Recruitment Team ([email protected]).
If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive from the Planning Inspectorate, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission. https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/

Apply Now

Details

Reference number

Salary

Job grade

Contract type

Business area

Type of role

Working pattern

Number of jobs available

Contents

Location

About the job

Job summary

Job description

Person specification

Qualifications

Behaviours

Benefits

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Selection process details

Security

Nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

Diversity and Inclusion

Apply and further information

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Recruitment team

Further information

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