Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Health and Safety Business Partner
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Health & Safety Business Partner (Practitioner) – DWP
Locations: Birmingham (Arena), Blackpool (Peel Park), Glasgow (Atlantic Quay), Leeds (Quarry House), Pontypridd (Ty Taf), Sheffield (Kings Court)
Job Summary
This is a critical role within the People Safety Team, supporting the ongoing delivery of the People Safety Strategy. You will work within the qualified Health & Safety Business Partnering team, ensuring compliance with legislative changes while prioritising the health, safety, and wellbeing of customers, staff, and partners.
As a demanding role, you will liaise with both internal (including employees, managers, departments) and external stakeholders (e.g., suppliers, contractors) across the entire business. Effective communication, multi-tasking, and juggling conflicting priorities are key, alongside maintaining performance deadlines.
Potential Hybrid Working Arrangement: This role may allow hybrid working (60% office-based, 40% remote)—voluntary, non-contractual, and dependent on workload. Your primary location is listed above.
Availability:
- The role may require travel and overnight stays.
- Occasionally involves Saturday coverage and extended hours (8am-8pm) per DWP policy.
Core Responsibilities (Practitioner Level – Property & Construction Projects)
Incident Management & Reporting
- Triage fast-track accident/incident reports using established methodology for consistency.
- Conduct and support accident/incident investigations, liaising with DWP stakeholders and suppliers to develop high-quality outcomes.
- Complete RIDDOR reporting to HSE (Health and Safety Executive) within deadlines.
Risk Assessments & Policy Support
- Assist in creating and reviewing departmental risk assessments.
- Support the broader business in ensuring suitable and sufficient safety assessments across environments.
Data-Driven Improvement
- Utilise Power BI and departmental systems to track trends and optimise compliance with HSE legislation and internal policies.
Workplace Solutions & Consultation
- Conduct 1-2-1 Display Screen Equipment consultations with internal stakeholders and suppliers to deliver tailored solutions.
- Identify opportunities to provide Reasonable Adjustments under the Equality Act, referring cases to the Workplace Adjustments Team where needed.
Policies, Audits & Governance
- Audit People Safety policies and processes as per the People Safety Audit Programme, supporting broader H&S audits.
- Provide expert advisory support and training to managers/staff, ensuring suitable Health & Safety arrangements are maintained.
- Collaborate on DWP-wide initiatives, including policy and guidance drafting, intranet page reviews, and Change Impact Analysis.
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Cultural & Behavioural Leadership
- Promote Health & Safety best practices within the team, fostering a unescopious culture.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
✅ Substantial experience delivering Health & Safety in a fast-paced, people-centric environment (primary selection criterion). ✅ Excellent interpersonal and teamworking skills for managing geographically dispersed teams. ✅ Self-motivated and highly organised, demonstrating ability to prioritise and manage workload independently.
Technical Skills
✅ Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and build collaborative relationships. ✅ Strong written, oral, and presentation communication skills. ✅ Adept with Microsoft 365 suite (Excel, Power BI, SharePoint, Teams) and ability to master bespoke IT systems.
Qualifications
🎓 Health & Safety qualification at level 3 or above, e.g. NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent.
Key Competencies Assessed
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Strategic Thinking (Seeing the Big Picture)
- Continual Improvement
Working for the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP)
Salary & Civil Service Pension
£38,772 per year, including £11,232 pension contribution toward the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Benefits & Support
📅 Flexible working patterns: Job share, compressed hours, and term-time working available. 🏖️ Generous leave: 23 days annual leave (rising to 30 days), plus 9 days public/privilege leave—pro-rata for part-time roles. 💡 Wellbeing Initiatives:
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for counselling support.
- HASSRA sports/activities (competitions, fitness facility access). 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly policies:
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/shared parental leave after 1 year. 📚 Career Growth:
- Fully funded training & qualifications (e.g., Health & Safety accreditations). 💵 Financial Perks:
- Interest-free season ticket loans and cycle-to-work scheme.
- Employee discount programme. 🌍 Inclusion & Diversity:
- Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE).
Recruitment Process
1. Written Application
- CV explaining your eligibility, responsibilities, and achievements (managed within the Civil Service platforms).
- Personal Statement (max 1,250 words) focusing on how your experience meets the essential criteria.
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⚠️ Note: If volume-high, selection will initially sift for applicants meeting the lead Health & Safety criterion only.
Do not submit AI-generated or plagiarised statements. Unsupported examples will result in withdrawal of your application.
2. Interview
- Difficulty: Select into a 45-minute remote Teams interview.
- Focus:
- Behaviours: Leadership, Communication, Strategic Thinking, Improvement.
- Strengths & experience questions—not pre-shared if random.
Interview Timelines
- Sift Week: Commences 20 July 2026
- Interviews: Commences 10 August 2026
Offer & Appointment
✅ Conditionally suited for hybrid working (60% office attendance requirement). ❓ If selected under the Disability Confident Scheme but not meeting full criteria, individual considerations reviewed case-by-case.
Important Disclaimers
Visa Sponsorship
🚆 Note: DWP adheres to Home Office policy and cannot guarantee sponsorship—assess eligibility before applying for legal advice.
Security & Checks
✔️ Criminal background check (Disclosure & Barring) is mandatory for all new appointments. ✔️ Personnel vetting for handling government assets.
Eligibility & Additional Information
🌐 Nationalities Accepted:
- UK citizens / Republic of Ireland nationals / Commonwealth citizens with UK work rights.
- EU/EEE/Swiss nationals with valid leaving-to-remain or EUSS status.
- Turkish nationals under settlement agreements.
🗣 Core Values The Civil Service operates under the Code of Conduct, mandating honest, ethical, and impartiality in all stages.
📝 Reasonable Adjustments Available
- For disability, neurodivergence, chronic illness, or sensory needs, contact DWPRecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk ASAP to discuss accommodations during application.
💼 Current Employees Advised If transferring from another govt department, check impacts on terms & conditions (pay, childcare benefits, TUPE transfers).
Contact for Queries
✉ Name: Alison Wilkie 📧 Email: ALISON.WILKIE@DWP.GOV.UK
Diversity & Inclusion
To attract and retain diverse talent, DWP proudly offers:
✅ Evergreen Vacancies under the Great Place to Work for Veterans programme. ✅ Returners Scheme for long-term absenders. 🚪 No-barrier application policy for those with criminal convictions.
You may retain a copy of this vacancy for personal records. Applications and enquiries close 4 weeks prior to notification. No offers are guaranteed in this conclusion process.
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