HR Adviser

Harbour Learning Trust; Greater Lincolnshire; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Harbour Learning Trust is looking for a proactive HR Adviser to provide practical, policy-compliant guidance to managers across multiple academies. You will support safeguarding and GDPR compliance while fostering positive employee relations and effective governance.

Reporting to the Head of HR & Safeguarding, you will handle operational casework, support investigations, and ensure accurate SCR and probation processes across the Trust.

Qualifications

• Experience advising line managers on employee relations issues (sickness absence, capability, disciplinary, grievance, probation).
• Proven ability to draft investigation statements and formal outcome letters.
• Knowledge of safeguarding requirements, DBS checks, and GDPR data protection.

Responsibilities

• Advise managers on ER matters across academies.
• Assist with casework, investigations, and hearings.
• Monitor absence trends and coordinate return-to-work actions.

Skills

Employee relations

Case management

Communication

Employment law

Safeguarding

Attention to detail

Education

GCSE English & Maths

Tools

MS Office

Job description

You will be part of a supportive team reporting directly to the Head of HR & Safeguarding, working closely with school leaders, Business Services Partners, and central teams to provide pragmatic advice, maintain compliance, and foster positive employee relations across our academies.

• Employee Relations & Advice: Build strong relationships across all levels to advise line managers on standard employee relations matters including sickness absence, capability, disciplinary, grievance, and probation reviews.
• Casework & Investigations: Assist managers in drafting investigation statements, preparing formal outcome letters, conducting investigations, and providing procedural HR support at formal hearings.
• Absence & Health Management: Partner with Business Services Partners to monitor absence trends, coordinate return-to-work actions, process Occupational Health referrals, and assist with employee risk assessments.
• Safeguarding & Compliance: Collaborate with central teams to verify pre-employment clearances (DBS, Barred List, Right to Work), maintain Single Central Record (SCR) requirements, and uphold safeguarding standards for children across the Trust.
• Onboarding & Probation Tracking: Ensure academy inductions and formal probation reviews are completed accurately and on time across allocated schools.
• HR Data & Governance: Maintain accurate electronic and manual HR systems, produce timely reports for the Head of HR & Safeguarding, and assist in the ongoing review of Trust policies and procedures, We will communicate regularly and with clarity with our stakeholders and with each other, welcoming and reflecting on constructive feedback from others.
• We will be aspirational for all, wanting the best for ourselves and for everyone.
• Come and join our happy, values led trust that truly believes in "success and happiness for all" Harbour Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All posts are subject to satisfactory background checks and enhanced DBS.
• We are seeking an approachable, organised, and proactive HR practitioner with proven experience handling operational casework and building effective relationships in a complex environment.
• GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent in English and Maths.
• Proven experience handling operational HR casework and building strong relationships across internal teams and unions.
• Sound working knowledge of employment law, safeguarding compliance, safer recruitment, and GDPR data protection regulations.
• Experience presenting case information or taking minutes at formal HR hearings.
• Strong verbal and active listening skills with high attention to detail.
• A flexible, ethically sound approach with a deep commitment to safeguarding and Harbour Learning Trust's DANCE values (Delight & Joy, Ambition, Nurture, Community, Empower).
• Prior experience working within an educational or multi-site environment.
• Safer recruitment training.
• A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel between trust sites.

At Harbour Learning Trust, our success is built on a philosophy of care, inclusion, and high standards. We are a values-driven community where kindness, empathy, and ambition are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in providing an education that prepares every child to be a successful global citizen, and we are looking for a dedicated HR Adviser to help us deliver on that vision.