The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is the world’s largest, and only Chartered, professional body for occupational safety and health. It is a membership organisation, with over 49,000 members in over 130 countries. It has over 75 years of experience in setting standards and developing resources, guidance and training in the occupational safety and health profession. IOSH is the leader of a profession that transforms the world of work, making it safer and healthier every day. Our status is recognised by businesses and governments and it’s why Chartered Membership of IOSH is recognised worldwide as the hallmark of professional excellence in workplace safety and health. IOSH is a regulated awarding organisation (AO), recognised by The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). The IOSH AO is an enabler of choice and high standards, helping organisations around the world to excel in safety and health. Part of this enabling role is to design, develop, deliver, and award qualifications for knowledge and skills development in occupational safety and health (OSH). The IOSH Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health Leadership and Management is a professional qualification based on the IOSH
competency framework. In 2019 we released our updated competency framework following extensive research and consultation with OSH professionals, employers and other stakeholders. The updated framework reflects the significant changes that have occurred in the workplace over the last decade. Today’s OSH professionals need a broader range of skills, knowledge, and behaviours to influence and drive change. The competency framework includes 69 competencies across three categories: technical, core and behavioural. It is not a ‘one size fits all’ tool; the range and level of competencies required for each individual role will vary and depend on factors such as the sector, the individual’s seniority or career stage and the size of organisation. Each unit within the IOSH Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health Leadership and Management has clear linkage to the competency framework, with direct alignment to the technical, core and behavioural competencies, as shown in Section 4 Unit Content. The qualification has been accredited by IOSH as meeting all of the required competencies to evidence the academic requirements for Certified IOSH membership.
As a Health and Safety manager you will be expected to prove that you are operating a comprehensive Health and Safety management system that encompasses all aspects of your company’s undertakings and involves relevant employees at all levels. You must also prove that you possess the relevant underpinning Health and Safety knowledge to satisfy the required standards.
Candidates with limited knowledge, experience, or qualifications in the Health and Safety field may be suitable for this qualification. Suitable candidates should have the opportunity or potential to produce the required evidence and be willing to undertake further training. Interested candidates may seek advice from one of our qualified assessors regarding their suitability for this qualification.
This qualification enables learners to progress within their career as an OSH professional and is a recognised qualification for entry at Graduate/ Certified IOSH Member (GradIOSH/CertIOSH) grade (subject to meeting experiential criteria). It can also provide opportunities to progress in leadership and management qualifications.
We are delighted that the IOSH Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health Leadership and Management has been approved by the Institute of Leadership (IoL). Recognised as meeting IoL’s standards for supporting improved leadership practice, the IOSH Level 6 Diploma qualification purpose, learning content and approaches have been assessed as current, relevant, inclusive, and accessible to support the diverse needs of learners. The qualification reflects the five values of IoL: Authenticity, Vision, Achievement, Ownership and Collaboration. The programme has been recognised as a pathway to IoL Membership (MIoL)* providing learners with additional professional recognition of their learning experience and ongoing commitment to effective leadership, inspiring others to achieve excellence. IOSH Blueprint also provides access directly to a range of IoL’s MyLeadership resources which are mapped to the IOSH Competency Framework to support learning on the IOSH Level 6 Diploma.
The Institute of Leadership is an award winning, global, professional membership body for leaders and managers with mission of ‘inspiring great leadership everywhere’. Headquartered in the UK, but with a membership base across the world, three professional grades of membership entitle members to use post-nominal letters as follows: Associate Member (AIoL), Member (MIoL) and Fellow (FIoL). Membership is validated by an official membership certificate. All members are offered access to a wide range of services supporting their continuous professional development including online learning tools, webinars and events, podcasts, career advice and other resources.
To achieve the IOSH Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health Leadership and Management, learners
must achieve all units in the qualification.
There are no mandatory entry requirements for this qualification, but it is strongly recommended that learners have completed the IOSH Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health Practice or equivalent IOSH accredited qualification and/or experience, as this level of prior learning is assumed. Study Centres are responsible for ensuring that this qualification is appropriate for the age, ability and professional experience of learners. They need to make sure that learners can fulfil the requirements of the learning outcomes, assessments and comply with the relevant literacy, numeracy and health and safety aspects of this qualification.
For learners to be successful on this qualification, which is taught and assessed in English, it is crucial that they have an appropriate level of English language skills. If a learner is not from a majority English-speaking country, they must provide evidence of an appropriate level of English language skills. Learners are expected to be able to demonstrate English language comprehension at a level equivalent to IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 7.0 to be able to study the IOSH Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health Leadership and Management. All study centres delivering this qualification must ensure that all learners who are non-native English speakers and who have not undertaken their final two years of schooling in English, can demonstrate capability in English at a standard equivalent to the level identified above, before being registered on the qualification. For more information, please refer to our English language requirements FAQs.
Being a member of IOSH opens a world of professional opportunities to safety and health that will support progress at work and contribute tangibly to business success. It will also enable access a multitude of benefits, including IOSH Blueprint and CPD. At the start of the IOSH Level 6 Diploma learners will need to join us a Student Member if they are not already a member and meet the eligibility criteria. Eligible enrolled students can access IOSH Student Membership for the duration of their studies and, on successful completion, they will meet the academic requirements for Graduate/Certified IOSH membership.
If you’d like to take the first steps towards enrolling on the IOSH Level 6 Diploma, please register using the form below.
