Health and Safety Manager / Transport Lead

Connected Local Government; North East; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in North East England is seeking a Health & Safety Manager to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation. Responsibilities include supervising safety reports, conducting risk assessments, supporting staff with safety protocols, and leading transport duties. Candidates must demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to work under pressure. This full-time position offers a salary of £30,024 – £33,699 and requires immediate start. Applications should be submitted before 21 January 2026.

Qualifications

• Required to ensure a safe working and learning environment according to legislation.
• Ability to prepare and present health and safety reports.

Responsibilities

• Act as the main Health and Safety Officer.
• Lead and ensure risk assessments are completed.
• Monitor and evaluate quality of risk assessments.
• Support key staff in writing and implementing risk assessments.
• Provide cover for caretaker for housekeeping issues.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Supervision and team management

Thoroughness and methodical work

Job description

Health & Safety Manager / Transport Lead

Grade 7 – £30,024 – £33,699 per annum

Permanent, Full time, 37 hours per week – Required to start as soon as possible

Role and Responsibilities

• Act as the main Health and Safety Officer, ensuring a safe working and learning environment in accordance with relevant legislation.
• Prepare Health and Safety reports for the Governors.
• Keep appropriate records, ensuring they are available for inspection and provide statistical and other returns, as required, to the Headteacher, Governors and Local Authority.
• Keep up to date with changes to legislation (especially health and safety) and best practice in facilities management.
• Lead and ensure classroom staff complete pupil/student risk assessments including complex feeding plans and staff medical risk assessments.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of all risk assessments with the SMT.
• Support key staff in writing and implementing key area risk assessments (e.g., Visits, Alternative Provision, Evolve Lead).
• Support transitions of high‑risk students around school.
• Lead transport duties and serve as Hydrotherapy pool deputy.
• Provide ad hoc cover for the caretaker for small housekeeping issues and locking up.
• Attend SMT meetings monthly to report on health and safety throughout the school.
• Accurately record and upload accidents to the health and safety team, liaising with them when necessary and ensuring any recommendations are actioned.
• Attend safeguarding monitoring sessions with the SMT & Governors.
• Be a member of the First Aid team.
• Drive a mini bus or use own vehicle as cover.

Key Qualifications and Attributes

• Excellent communication skills.
• Work methodically, thoroughly, and to a consistently high standard to ensure work is carried out effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to supervise a team and work independently as required.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

Application forms should be returned to the school. Closing date: 21 January 2026 at 9.00am. Interview date: w/c 26 January 2026.

Villa Real School
Villa Real Road
Consett
Co. Durham
DH8 6BH
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.villarealschool.co.uk

Durham County Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We want to develop a more diverse workforce and we positively welcome applicants from all sections of the community. Applicants with disabilities will be invited for interview if the essential job criteria are met. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to receipt of a satisfactory DBS Enhanced Disclosure and supportive references. As a disability confident employer, we are committed to employing disabled people and making reasonable adjustments where required.