Roz, not everyone's career runs smoothly or as planned / hoped for. Sometimes you need to pay the bills more than you need to 'plan your career' so I wouldn't worry too  much about discontinuous H&S experience - I'm sure that you can find something positive to say about the non-H&S aspects of your CV.

As for CPD and keeping up to date - you could use these forums for CPD, reading, digesting and reflecting upon IOSH Magazine (or other periodicals), it isn't all about attending courses and formal training. You may be a bit rusty, but you will start to remember much of what you have studied as you begin to apply yourself to your role as an H&S Champion - don't forget there is loads of guidance on the HSE website, and nobody ever lost a job by following HSE guidance :). A big part of being in H&S is knowing where to find information, not necessarily knowing it all yourself. 

Don't be too harsh on yourself and try to start developing some expertise in the H&S ramifications of your role - see what other Local Authorities do in similar circumstances, build on what you can do and not what you can't. All the best! P

Roz - to add to what Pseudonym and Kate have written, I suggest that you ARE in an H&S role.

You are an H&S "Champion", but even if you didn't have that title, any competent organisation makes managing H&S an integral part of the line management function from top to bottom.

The long term ambition of any full time inhouse H&S Adviser should be make themselves redundant. Never happens as there is always something else to tackle.

However, if all the postholders in an organisation are fully competent, can do whatever research is appropriate etc, then no need for some dedicated H&S bod.

So, based on the assumption that you have continued your IOSH Membership (but NOT dependent on that as "CPD" applies to whatever career option, whether done formally or not), your CPD is about whatever you do to improve your understanding of how to do your job better, AND to set yourself up for some future opportunity.

AND, if you decide to consider moving into some role which is much more "H&S", then as Kate says your CPD for your current role is associated with transferable skills etc.

P

Roz

Have you looked at becomeing a school governor? I was vice chair at my local school for a number of years (stayed as a community governor even after my son left!) before i got my 1st full time H&S job.  They often welcome people with a H&S background to assist them, and depending on the LA can offer some good training. But dont forget CPD is not just about training - even helping them develope RS etc can count.

There was a time in my career where I was really struggling with CPD. I phoned the Membership Team and was given a lot of support, even told not to worry about it at that time (I had much bigger things going on in my life).  If you're still worried, it might be a good idea to make that phone call.

As a comparison, the other professional body I belonged to at the time told me I would have to leave if I couldn't do all the hours of CPD required - I told them (fairly politely) where to go....