Group Health, Safety and Maintenance Officer | Social Care
West Sussex (Lancing to Chichester)
Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 + Mileage + Benefits
Are you an experienced Health & Safety or Maintenance professional who thrives in a multi-site environment?
Do you take pride in driving value, improving contractor performance, and safeguarding operational standards across a multi-site portfolio?
Are you looking to join a values-led, non-corporate care provider where you can genuinely shape systems and make a lasting impact?
Then this could be the opportunity for you.
We are working in partnership with a growing independent elderly care provider seeking to appoint a Group Health & Safety and Maintenance Officer across their four care homes in West Sussex.
This is a newly created group-level role, designed to centralise health & safety oversight, strengthen maintenance systems, and reduce operational risk across the portfolio.
This is a visible, hands-on position suited to someone who enjoys autonomy, accountability, and balancing strategic oversight with practical involvement when needed.
The Opportunity
- This multi-site role covers four care homes located along the West Sussex coastal stretch (Lancing to Chichester).
- Reporting directly to the Group Operations Manager / Director of Operations, the role has been created to relieve senior leadership of fragmented, spreadsheet-based compliance tracking and reactive contractor management.
- You will be responsible for building structure, improving documentation, implementing planned preventative maintenance (PPM), and holding contractors accountable for performance and cost control.
- This is not a purely desk-based compliance role. The organisation is seeking someone comfortable being present on-site, supporting home teams, and stepping in practically when required - while still operating strategically at group level.
About the Provider
- This is a small, independent care home group with a deliberate non-corporate ethos.
- The organisation places strong emphasis on resident dignity, authenticity, and maintaining a genuine home-from-home culture.
- As the group continues to grow, leadership has recognised the need to professionalise health & safety and maintenance oversight across all homes, ensuring compliance, consistency, and cost control without losing their hands-on culture.
- The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping systems that support both safety and operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead group-wide health & safety compliance in line with legislation (H&S at Work Act, COSHH, fire safety regulations, etc.)
- Conduct audits, inspections, risk assessments, and incident investigations
- Prepare homes for regulatory inspections (e.g., CQC and local authority visits)
- Act as Fire Safety Lead across the group
- Develop and implement a structured Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme
- Centralise maintenance tracking and compliance documentation (Excel-based)
- Oversee statutory servicing schedules (gas, electrical, lifts, water hygiene/Legionella, etc.)
- Source, manage, and negotiate with contractors to ensure value for money
- Improve contractor accountability and prevent overcharging
- Produce compliance dashboards and risk reports for senior leadership
- Support home teams with technical guidance and hands-on assistance where needed
The Ideal Candidate
Proven experience in health & safety, maintenance, or facilities management within a regulated, multi-site environment.
Essential:
- Strong working knowledge of health & safety legislation and statutory compliance
- Experience conducting audits and managing compliance across multiple locations
- Contractor negotiation and supplier management experience
- Strong Excel and tracking/reporting skills
- Ability to travel regularly between sites
- Full UK driving licence
- Practical, hands-on mindset balanced with structured oversight
Desirable:
- Experience within care homes or healthcare settings
- IOSH, NEBOSH, or equivalent qualification
- Fire safety, Legionella, or asbestos awareness training
You will be commercially astute, organised, and confident in holding suppliers to account, while remaining sensitive to the needs of residents in a care environment.
This role requires someone who can operate independently, manage priorities effectively, and embed consistent standards across multiple services.
Package & Benefits
- £40,000 – £45,000 per annum (flexibility for exceptional candidates)
- Mileage reimbursement for travel between homes
- Pension contributions
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Retail and financial benefits (rolling out across the group)
- Genuine opportunity to shape a newly created group-level role
Location & Working Pattern
This is a field-based regional role across West Sussex, covering homes from Lancing to Chichester. The position would suit candidates based in Worthing, Brighton, Bognor Regis, Horsham, Crawley, or surrounding areas. Regular site presence is required, with occasional flexibility for home working where appropriate.
Interview Process
First Stage: Initial interview with operations leadership
Second Stage: In-person interview across one of the care home sites
Summary
This is an excellent opportunity for a driven Health & Safety or Facilities professional to join a growing independent elderly care provider in a newly created group role.
Offering autonomy, competitive salary, and genuine influence over compliance and operational standards, this position will suit someone looking to make a tangible impact across multiple homes while working within a supportive, values-led organisation.
Recommendations
Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a recruitment partner for this permanent vacancy.
We offer £200 John Lewis vouchers for each successful referral.
Contact Details
If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, please contact:
Charlie Williams
01619381185
cwilliams@compassltd.co.uk