Independent Health & Safety Reviewer in London

About Cognita: Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 90 schools in 21 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 100,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, "Thrive in a rapidly evolving world".

The successful candidate will review health & safety practice across Cognita sites as outlined in published frameworks and documents, with work commencing from September 2026. This role is a self-employed, consultant role and the individual appointed as Independent Health & Safety Reviewer will not be a Cognita employee. This role is hybrid as the successful candidate will perform in-person audits of the schools and all other responsibilities will occur remotely.

We are seeking a professional and consultative Health & Safety Reviewer to undertake reviews and monitoring visits in line with an agreed deployment schedule. The successful candidate will prepare thoroughly for each visit by reviewing relevant documentation to ensure a strong understanding of the school’s context, policies, practices, and legislative requirements. They will assess practice against the agreed framework, identify and promote effective Health & Safety practice, and maintain strong professional relationships built on integrity and transparency.

• Responsibilities include providing verbal feedback following on-site reviews, producing concise, evidence-based reports with clear and actionable recommendations, and ensuring timely circulation of reports to key stakeholders, including Heads of School and Regional Teams.
• The role also requires the ability to identify and escalate risks or concerns promptly, supported by clear written evidence, while ensuring all reviews are conducted openly, professionally, and to a consistently high standard.

We are looking for a highly professional and experienced Health & Safety consultant who is a Chartered Member of IOSH (or equivalent) and has at least two years’ consultancy experience, ideally alongside other consultancy projects or part-time employment. The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator with strong report-writing skills and the ability to produce clear, formal, and high-quality written documentation. Experience within the education sector, together with an understanding of facilities-based compliance, is essential, along with the ability to recognise and adapt to differing cultural approaches to compliance within a global environment. An interest in, or understanding of, the general principles of international Health & Safety legislation is also important. The ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish would be advantageous, although this is not essential.

The Closing Date for Applications is: Sunday 31st May 2026. Cognita Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website. Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background. Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.