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Health & Safety Manager NVQ
Health & Safety Manager NVQ
The Health & Safety Manager NVQ Level 6 (GQA Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice) assesses experienced health and safety managers, advisors and consultants who run health and safety in their organisation. It costs £1,300 fixed with no VAT, typically takes 4–8 weeks with assessment carried out remotely or on site from your normal work — no exams, no classroom — and leads to the Black CSCS Manager card. The qualification is IOSH accredited: on completion you are eligible to apply for CertIOSH membership of IOSH, subject to meeting the experience criteria.
Qualification Overview
If you develop, implement and review health and safety in your organisation — legislation and compliance, safety culture, risk management, proactive and reactive monitoring, emergency response and workforce competence — this qualification formally recognises your professional competence at degree level, evidenced from the work you already do.
Assessment is evidence-based from the health and safety work you actually do — policies, risk assessments, inspection and monitoring records, incident investigations, emergency plans and management reports — remotely or on site, typically over 4–8 weeks. No exams, no classroom. The qualification is IOSH accredited: successful completion brings eligibility to apply for the Certificate level of IOSH membership (CertIOSH).
Qualification Structure
Key information
| Full title | GQA Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice |
| Qualification code | 610/7376/3 |
| Level | 6 |
| Structure | 10 mandatory units + 1 of 2 policy pathway units · 110 credits · TQT 1,100 hrs |
| Awarding body | GQA |
| Typical completion | 4–8 weeks |
| Assessment | Remote or on-site evidence — no exams, no classroom |
| Typical CSCS route | Black CSCS Manager |
Who this NVQ is for
Senior health and safety managers, health and safety advisors and consultants, and managers or supervisors with responsibility for health and safety — in construction or any high-risk sector — who need a formal Level 6 qualification for the Black CSCS card, IOSH recognition, tenders or career progression.
Entry requirements
You must be aged 18 or above and working in a health and safety role of a suitable level — senior health and safety manager, advisor or consultant, or a manager or supervisor with health and safety responsibility — so an assessor can gather real workplace evidence. Before you start, an initial assessment confirms your role gives you access and opportunity to generate valid evidence, identifies any support needs and selects your policy pathway unit. No exams and no classroom — your day-to-day work is the evidence.
CSCS card route
With this Level 6 NVQ plus the CITB HS&E managers and professionals test you can apply for the Black CSCS Manager card — the highest-level CSCS card for construction managers.
Qualification units (GQA standards)
To achieve the qualification you complete all 10 mandatory units and one of the two policy pathway units — never both. Unit references, levels and credit values are from the GQA qualification specification (610/7376/3).
Mandatory units (all 10 required)
| L/652/1035 | Principles of Health and Safety Legislation and Regulatory Frameworks | Level 5 · 13 credits |
| M/652/1036 | Promote a positive Health and Safety culture in your organisation | Level 5 · 9 credits |
| Y/652/1039 | Introduce and coordinate effective communication channels for Health and Safety information | Level 5 · 11 credits |
| F/652/1040 | Monitor and maintain individual and organisational competence in Health and Safety matters | Level 5 · 9 credits |
| J/652/1042 | Identify, evaluate and manage Health and Safety risks | Level 6 · 9 credits |
| K/652/1043 | Design and introduce proactive monitoring systems for organisational Health and Safety | Level 6 · 9 credits |
| L/652/1044 | Design and introduce reactive monitoring systems for organisational Health and Safety | Level 6 · 9 credits |
| M/652/1045 | Design and maintain response systems and procedures for dealing with Health and Safety emergencies | Level 6 · 10 credits |
| R/652/1046 | Review systems for organisational Health and Safety management | Level 6 · 10 credits |
| T/652/1047 | Research, evaluate and maintain current Health and Safety best practice | Level 5 · 10 credits |
Policy pathway units (complete one)
| R/652/1037 | Design and introduce an organisational Health and Safety policy — where no suitable policy framework exists | Level 6 · 11 credits |
| T/652/1038 | Review and update an organisational Health and Safety policy — where an existing policy needs review and improvement | Level 6 · 11 credits |
Your assessor agrees the right policy pathway with you at initial assessment based on your role and organisation. Evidence for every unit comes from your own workplace practice, internally assessed and quality assured, then externally quality assured by GQA.
Frequently asked questions
Is this equivalent to a degree?
A Level 6 NVQ sits at the same level as a bachelor’s degree on the qualification framework, evidenced through your real work rather than study.
Does it lead to IOSH membership?
Yes — IOSH has awarded this GQA qualification IOSH accreditation. On successful completion you are eligible to apply for the Certificate level of IOSH membership (CertIOSH), subject to meeting the experience criteria.
Which policy pathway unit will I complete?
One of two: design and introduce a new organisational health and safety policy, or review and update an existing one. We agree the right pathway with you at initial assessment — you complete one, never both.
Cost?
£1,300 fixed, no VAT.
Can my employer claim a CITB grant?
CITB-registered employers may be able to claim a £600 achievement grant for eligible Level 2–6 qualifications under the current CITB Grants Scheme. See our funding guide or check eligibility with CITB.
How long does it take?
Typically 4–8 weeks depending on evidence gathering.
What candidates say
“Absolutely faultless and easy process to gain my qualification, can not fault Arek and his team. Massive credit and will be booking again as soon as possible.”
Jonny Jones — Verified Google review ↗
What card does this NVQ lead to?
Leads to the Black CSCS Manager card
On completion you can apply for the Black CSCS Manager card, proving competence in your trade.
Your NVQ pathway
- Level 2 Skilled
- Level 3 Advanced
- Level 4 Supervisor
- Level 5 Senior Supervisor
- Level 6 Manager
Your current qualification is highlighted. Progress up the pathway as your career develops.
How the e-portfolio assessment works
- Enrol and be assigned a dedicated occupational assessor.
- Gather workplace evidence — photos, videos, witness statements — via our online portal.
- Complete a professional discussion and observations against the 610/7376/3 standards.
- Certification, then apply to CSCS for your card.