Posted By Clare Gabriel Nikki Its a tough world out there so I am going to be totally up front having been out there for many years myself. I will also play devils advocate a bit which may be harsh but that's self employment. also there are literally hundreds of threads in this forum asking the same thing - you wont have to scroll back too far to get many of the answers you're after. 1. you describe yourself as highly qualified - a bold statement - but are you highly experienced? Remember you are entering the world of consultants where competence is the key word and there is a huge difference between qualifications and competent 2. Fees - what are you offering? this is almost impossible to answer - you need to do some market research of similar businesses to that which which you are intending to set up. Are you offering approved NEBOSH/IOSH courses? they can range form £150 - £750 or even more per day dependent on who you are, your level of competence, your proven track record and what exactly are you offering. 3. Charging extra for policies - refer to above - Daily rate versus fee for the job including the writing up of polices/procedures etc. However please please resist the temptation to have a standard policy that you offer to everyone as as you should know - it will end up on a shelf no -where else. 4. how good are your influencing skills? What is your track record like? Again be very honest. Do not think you can write a few policies and walk away - companies expect you to implement too - so you will need to be very good 5 Associate work - again research - all the key providers advertise in SHP - why arent' you already sending them your CV? the established one have very tight T&Cs for associates on the copyright of their material, daily fees etc etc so they are totally professional. you will soon find out if you have the requisite skills. hope this helps - email if you want any more advice

Posted By AHS I am going to be brutally honest unless you have a half decent contract in your pocket already to quote the film the Fly "Be afraid very afraid" It took me years to build up a decent client base of course that may well be due to my natural incompetence and lack of knowledge concerning anything to do with Health and Safety. Having said that I now run jobs around the UK and manage to run three expensive women. All the best but its a gamble! Before the Mods jump in two are daughters.

Posted By SAF Nikki Get in touch, it would be good to bounce ideas and experiences off each other. Was in a similar position to yourself not so long agao Thanks

Posted By Martyn Hendrie Please don't take offence at my observations but if you have already weighed up the pro's an con's of going self employed you should have answered you own original question. You also mention a lack of "positivity" I think that those who have contributed are being realistic rather than being negative. Being a former enforcement officer is not in itself necessarily a selling point I know a number of ex inspectors who were excellent at enforcement but weak at advising on the detail of how to implement policies/procedures and changes in a clients organisation. One of the best pieces of advice I was given when I started on my own was. Assume the worst, plan for it and when it doesn't happen that is a bonus.

Posted By peter gotch Hi Nikki Quote from email today... "the CEO was very impressed with our audit last year and thought that it gave more benefit to him than any previous external audits" Input from ex-HSE Inspector [12 years]minimal. Regards, Peter

Posted By peter gotch Not intended as a put down. Just pointing out that all sorts of talents can provide quality consultancy. Regards, Peter