What is the Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice?

The Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice is a nationally recognised, Ofqual-regulated qualification delivered at RQF Level 6.

It is designed for professionals who are responsible for developing, implementing and reviewing health and safety systems within their organisation. This typically includes Health and Safety Managers, Advisors, Consultants, Compliance Managers and senior operational staff with H&S responsibility.

On the RQF, Level 6 qualifications sit at the same academic level as a Bachelor’s Degree. You can view the government explanation of qualification levels here:
https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean

This NVQ is assessed in the workplace and confirms your competence based on real evidence from your job role.

Who is this NVQ suitable for?

This qualification is suitable for health and safety professionals across all industries. However, many of our candidates work within the construction sector.

If you are working in construction and operating at a managerial level in health and safety, this qualification can provide a route to:

• The Black CSCS Card (Manager level)
• IOSH Certified Membership (CertIOSH), subject to IOSH’s membership requirements

Typical construction-based roles include:

• Construction Health and Safety Manager
• Senior H&S Advisor
• Principal Contractor H&S Lead
• Compliance Manager within a construction business
• Regional H&S Manager overseeing multiple sites

We also accept candidates from manufacturing, logistics, facilities management, utilities and other sectors, provided they are operating at the appropriate level and are approved following profiling.

What does the qualification cover?

The qualification is made up of mandatory units that include:

• Developing and implementing health and safety policies
• Promoting a positive health and safety culture
• Identifying, assessing and controlling risks
• Developing proactive and reactive monitoring systems
• Managing emergency response procedures
• Reviewing health and safety management systems
• Maintaining professional development

You must demonstrate valid, authentic and sufficient evidence against all assessment criteria, but one piece of evidence can often meet multiple criteria across units.

How we assess the NVQ at CADUK

This is a competence-based qualification. You must demonstrate valid, authentic and sufficient evidence that you are carrying out the role in practice.

Assessment is conducted remotely and is discussion-led, supported by real workplace documentation. There are no written exams.

Your portfolio will typically include:

• Company health and safety policies and revised policy updates
• Construction Phase Plans and project-specific documentation (where applicable)
• Risk assessments, method statements and residual risk registers
• Health and safety audit and inspection reports
• Accident and incident investigation reports
• Training matrices and competence reviews
• Health and safety cost analysis documentation
• Meeting minutes demonstrating H&S leadership
• Email communications evidencing internal and external H&S engagement

Assessment methods include:

• Professional discussion – structured Zoom or Teams sessions where you explain and justify your systems, decisions and leadership approach.
• Workplace video evidence – recorded briefings, presentations, site walkthroughs or screen recordings where you work through the units with your assessor, explaining monitoring systems, audit findings, investigation processes or management reviews.
• Witness testimony – signed statements from directors, managers or colleagues confirming your role, authority and competence in health and safety matters.

Video evidence may include you delivering a health and safety briefing, chairing a policy review meeting, presenting audit findings to management, or explaining risk control measures on site. This strengthens the portfolio by demonstrating real leadership and communication competence.

All evidence must be your own work and relate directly to your current job role. Sensitive information can be redacted where appropriate.

The focus is on demonstrating real competence at Level 6, not producing academic coursework or completing unnecessary written assignments.

Our application and profiling process

We operate a free, non-committal profiling process before enrolment.

This involves:

• Completing a short online application form
• A structured profiling call with one of our assessors
• A review of your job role, responsibilities and access to evidence

This ensures that:

• You are working at the correct level
• You have access to suitable workplace evidence
• You are enrolling on the right qualification for your role

If you are not suitable, we will tell you before you commit to anything.

APPLY HERE

Cost and payment options

The total cost of the qualification is £1850 + VAT.

We offer flexible payment options including:

• Debit card
• Credit card
• Bank transfer
• Klarna 3-stage 0% interest payments

Employer sponsorship is common for this qualification, particularly within construction businesses.

Why choose CADUK?

CADUK specialises in management-level NVQs within construction and health and safety. We understand the realities of site-based and operational roles.

Our assessors are occupationally competent and experienced in senior H&S roles. Assessment is structured, professional and aligned to awarding body requirements.

We keep the process proportionate, compliant and focused on real competence. No unnecessary duplication, no over-assessment, and no artificial coursework.

Ready to progress your H&S career?

If you are operating at a senior health and safety level and want a recognised Level 6 qualification that reflects your real capability, this NVQ is a strong route forward.

For construction professionals, it can support progression to the Black CSCS Card and IOSH Certified Membership.

Start your free profiling process today:

Apply for Level 6 H&S NVQ