Schools & Academies

Where there is a need for a change in your organisation, we can support you with any planning and discuss how to achieve your required goals. We will advise and support you throughout the process including preparing any relevant documentation, as well as:

• support with business proposals and consultation processes
• notification of unions and employees
• advise on early retirement, redundancy arrangements and estimates
• training managers in change management and communication
• providing interview skills training and guidance for employees at risk of redundancy

Managing performance and having a good performance system are essential in ensuring that both the organisation and employee goals are aligned and add value. We can assist you with:

• Carrying out Training Needs Analysis
• Designing and implementing performance management systems tailored to your organisation
• Supporting and Training managers on the performance management process
• Supporting managers at performance review meetings
• Advising managers in dealing with underperformance including formal capability processes

We will work with you to help resolve any difficult issues you may have in the work place. We have a team of employee relations experts focused on achieving a swift resolution. We can assist you with:

• Managing disciplinary and grievance investigations, hearings and appeals
• Dispute resolution & workplace mediation
• Dealing with bullying, harassment or grievances in the workplace
• Representation during hearings or meetings
• Drafting or negotiating settlement agreements
• Coaching managers to effectively handle disputes

We can guide and advice you on the interpretation and application of the school teachers and support staff terms and conditions

Recruiting and Selecting the right people are paramount to the success of any organisation. We will partner with you at different stages or throughout the recruitment process to help create robust processes which will help you maximise your chances of recruiting the best people fit for your organisation. We can assist you with the following:

• Defining the role (job analysis, prepare the job description and person specification)
• Attracting applicants (content and design of application packs, place recruitment adverts, liaise with recruitment agencies)
• Managing the application and selection process (review application forms or cvs, select candidates, optional assessment methods as well as managing candidate responses and requesting references)
  • For schools: Applying Safer recruitment principles throughout the process
  • Supporting the Governing Body with the recruitment and selection process for Headteacher recruitment
• Making the appointment (conduct pre-employment checks, obtain references, issue offer letter and contract of employment)

We can support and advice you with developing an induction process as well as effective strategies for managing your employees during the probation period.

We can work with you to identify and reduce the impact and cost of employee absences on your organisation. We can assist you with:

• Policy development as well as strategies to improve attendance in your organisation
• Managing short and long-term absences, unauthorised absences
• Supporting managers at absence review meetings
• Advising managers on all attendance related queries

We can support you in managing any employees on short or long-term absences, including preparing management reports, meeting with unions and supporting you at any relevant meetings. We can also support you with carrying out occupational health referrals where needed

We can liaise with the Trade unions on your behalf on all HR related matters and will also support you with any related documentation

We can support you through the TUPE process where this occurs either in bringing new people into your organisation or transferring people out. We will support you through the planning and consultation processes and will guide you through any relevant TUPE measures and liabilities. We will also help you prepare the necessary documentation and advise you on change management strategies

Our team includes accredited Job evaluation experts in the team and can support you in:

• Developing job descriptions
• Job evaluation
• Benchmarking

Well-structured appraisals are useful in helping both employees and employers recognise the employees strengths, discuss any weaknesses and to encourage and monitor development. We can support you with implementing appraisal systems and can assist you with:

• Creating/developing an appraisal system for you (including policies and procedures)
• Creating SMART objectives
• Developing competency frameworks
• Training managers in the appraisals process

If you are unsure of your HR needs, we can conduct a free HR health check where we come in and discuss your current HR practices and processes. Following this, we will advise you on any issues identified as well as practical solutions we can support you with

We can carry out an audit of your current HR policies and processes, reviewing these in line with UK employment legislation and advising you on practical solutions

We offer training on all HR related topics

We can develop bespoke and practical HR ‘How to’ guides to support your managers

We can support you on your HR admin processes including producing contracts of employment and contractual correspondence

We are always on hand to help you and can provide you with HR advice either over the telephone or by email

We can support you with your recruitment needs; from preparing job descriptions and advertising, to appointment. Including any related documentation and correspondence related to the process

We can carry out investigations on your behalf where required e.g. disciplinary or grievance investigations

Our team includes qualified Level A and B assessors who can carry out psychometric testing for you

Our team includes qualified mediators who will support you and any employees needing this service

We can regularly review and develop HR policies for you in line with current UK employment law

Our Safer Recruitment training course is an accredited course and delegates receive a certificate of completion following the training

We can support you with carrying out occupational health referrals, including any relevant documentation associated with the process