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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead health & safety compliance and improve maintenance systems across four care homes.
- Company: Values-led independent elderly care provider focused on resident dignity and authenticity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, mileage reimbursement, pension contributions, and employee assistance programme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with autonomy and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape a new role with real impact in a supportive, non-corporate environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in health & safety or facilities management in a multi-site setting.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
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.
- 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
- Experience within care homes or healthcare settings
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.
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.
Group Health, Safety and Maintenance Officer | Social Care in England employer: Compass Associates
Contact Detail:
Compass Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Health, Safety and Maintenance Officer | Social Care in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the health and safety or maintenance sectors. Attend local events or join online forums where you can meet people who might know about job openings. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company culture and values. Since this role is with a non-corporate care provider, show them you understand their ethos and how you can contribute to their mission. Tailor your responses to reflect their commitment to resident dignity and operational efficiency.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t shy away from showcasing your hands-on experience! This role requires someone who can balance strategic oversight with practical involvement. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've improved compliance or contractor performance in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Make sure to highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Health, Safety and Maintenance Officer | Social Care in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in health & safety and maintenance. We want to see how your skills align with the specific needs of this role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Your Hands-On Experience: This role is all about being practical and involved, so be sure to mention any hands-on experience you have in multi-site environments. We love candidates who can balance strategic oversight with practical involvement, so let us know how you've done this in the past.
Highlight Compliance Knowledge: Since compliance is a big part of this job, make sure to emphasise your understanding of health & safety legislation and your experience with audits and inspections. We’re looking for someone who can confidently navigate these areas, so show us what you’ve got!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Associates
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on health and safety legislation relevant to the role, like the H&S at Work Act and COSHH. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the rules but also understand their practical implications in a care home setting.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
This role requires a balance of strategic oversight and practical involvement. Be ready to share specific examples from your past where you’ve successfully implemented maintenance systems or conducted audits. Highlighting your hands-on experience will demonstrate that you can thrive in a multi-site environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as an incident investigation or contractor negotiation. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making skills in these scenarios, as it will showcase your problem-solving abilities and readiness for the role.
✨Emphasise Your People Skills
Since this position involves working closely with home teams and contractors, be prepared to discuss how you build relationships and communicate effectively. Share examples of how you've managed teams or collaborated with others to achieve compliance and operational efficiency.