Package Description:

At Avery Healthcare, we're more than a care provider. We're a community of passionate, dedicated professionals united by a shared purpose: creating meaningful lives together.

As one of the UK's leading providers of luxury elderly care, with more than 100 homes across the country, we know that exceptional resident experiences start with exceptional people. That's why we invest in our teams, celebrate success, champion personal growth, and create an environment where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference.

When you join Avery, you'll be part of an ambitious, forward-thinking organisation that genuinely cares about its residents and colleagues. You'll have the opportunity to influence care at scale, work alongside talented leaders, and play a vital role in shaping and strengthening our approach to Health & Safety across the business.

We're now looking for an experienced Head of Health & Safety to join us on a 6-month fixed term contract. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and hands-on Health & Safety professional who is passionate about creating safe environments, driving compliance, influencing culture, and supporting operational excellence across a large, multi-site organisation.

Reporting to the Director of Care Quality, you will provide leadership, guidance and expert advice on all aspects of Health & Safety, Infection Prevention & Control, and regulatory compliance across Avery Healthcare.

Working closely with Operations, Estates, Quality and Home-based teams, you will lead the development and delivery of our Health & Safety strategy, ensuring colleagues have the support, tools and knowledge needed to maintain the highest standards of safety, compliance and risk management.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic leadership and oversight of Health & Safety across the organisation, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations and internal policies.
• Leading and developing the company's Health & Safety, auditing and reporting frameworks, using data and insight to identify trends, manage risk and drive continuous improvement.
• Acting as the organisational lead for Infection Prevention & Control, ensuring policies, procedures and best practices remain effective, current and aligned to regulatory expectations.
• Conducting audits, inspections and reviews across our care homes and corporate functions, supporting teams to maintain safe environments and achieve compliance excellence.
• Providing expert guidance on risk management, COSHH, fire safety, legionella management and wider Health & Safety matters across the business.
• Leading investigations into significant incidents and Health & Safety concerns, including root cause analysis and engagement with regulatory and enforcement bodies where required.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders across the organisation, coaching leaders and teams to promote a proactive and positive safety culture.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within a leading care organisation, helping to ensure the safety and wellbeing of thousands of residents, visitors and team members across the UK.

You are an experienced Health & Safety leader with a strong track record of operating within complex, multi-site environments. You combine technical expertise with excellent communication and influencing skills, enabling you to build credibility, drive change and embed a culture of safety throughout an organisation.

You share our commitment to being caring, supportive, proud, honest, respectful and accountable, and thrive in a role where you can balance strategic leadership with practical operational support.

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• A recognised NEBOSH, IOSH or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
• Significant experience leading Health & Safety functions within a multi-site organisation.
• Experience within Health and Social Care, Care Homes, Healthcare or similarly regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of Health & Safety legislation, the Health and Social Care Act, and regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience developing compliance frameworks, conducting audits and implementing continuous improvement programmes.
• Experience leading serious incident investigations, root cause analysis and risk management processes.
• Excellent stakeholder management, coaching and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
• Additional qualifications in Food Safety or First Aid would be advantageous.

At Avery, you'll find more than a job. You'll discover a career with purpose.

We are committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive, develop and do their best work every day. In return for your expertise and dedication, we offer:

• A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• The opportunity to work within one of the UK's leading care providers.
• A supportive and collaborative culture where your expertise is valued.
• The opportunity to influence Health & Safety practices at scale across a national organisation.
• The chance to work alongside talented colleagues who are passionate about delivering excellence.
• A meaningful role where you can make a genuine difference to the lives of residents and colleagues.

Please note that this role requires:

• A satisfactory DBS check (paid for by Avery Healthcare).
• Proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across our homes and support offices.
• Occasional overnight stays where required.

If you're an experienced Health & Safety leader looking for an opportunity to influence strategy, strengthen compliance and help create safer environments across a growing organisation, we'd love to hear from you.