How does the Competent Person Service actually work?
The concept of an outsourced competent person service is straightforward, but it is worth explaining in detail so you know exactly what to expect and how it works in practice.
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When you appoint LESH as your competent person, we become your named health and safety adviser. This means that rather than employing a health and safety manager in-house, you have access to a qualified, experienced consultant who fulfils that function on your behalf — at a fraction of the cost.
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In practical terms, the service typically works like this (depending on the package): we begin with an initial review of your current health and safety arrangements. This allows us to understand your business, identify any gaps or risks, and establish a clear picture of what needs to be done. From there, we work with you to put the right systems, documents and procedures in place.
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Once the foundations are established, the ongoing service provides you with a named consultant you can contact for advice, guidance and support whenever you need it. This might mean calling us when you are about to take on a new contract and need advice, emailing us when you receive a complaint from an employee about a safety concern, or bringing us in when you need to renew your SSIP accreditation.
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Many clients also benefit from scheduled visits — regular site visits or remote reviews that keep your health and safety arrangements current and compliant. The frequency and nature of these visits will depend on the size and risk profile of your business.
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One of the most valued aspects of the service is simply having someone to call. Health and safety questions often arise at inconvenient moments — when you are in the middle of a job, when a client is pressing you for documentation, or when something has gone wrong on site. Having a competent person you can reach quickly, who knows your business, is genuinely invaluable.
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The service is typically provided on a monthly retainer basis, giving you predictable costs and continuous support. We will tailor the package to the specific needs of your business — there is no one-size-fits-all approach here, however we do have example packages to choose from to keep things simple.