HR Adviser

Harbour Learning Trust; Grimsby; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 18,000; Part time

Job summary

Harbour Learning Trust is seeking an HR Advisor to provide operational HR support across its multi-academy network. You will advise line managers on employee relations, absence, recruitment, and safeguarding, working closely with Principals and central teams.

You will report to the Head of HR & Safeguarding and help maintain compliance, SCR accuracy, and effective governance while developing in a pathway towards an HRBP role within the Trust.

Qualifications

• GCSE Grade C/4 in English and Maths.
• Experience handling operational HR casework and building 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 safeguarding and Harbour Learning Trust's DANCE values.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational support on employee relations, absence management, probation tracking, recruitment, and safeguarding compliance.
• Draft investigation statements and prepare formal outcome letters; assist at formal hearings.
• Monitor absence trends and coordinate return-to-work actions with partners.
• Verify pre-employment clearances and maintain SCR; uphold safeguarding standards across the Trust.
• Ensure inductions and probation reviews are completed accurately and on time across schools.
• Maintain HR data systems and support policy/procedure reviews.

Skills

Operational HR casework

Employee relations

Employment law

GDPR data protection

Attention to detail

Education

CIPD qualification

Degree-level education

Job description

HR Advisor - Harbour Learning Trust

Are you a proactive HR professional looking to make a real impact across a forward-thinking multi-academy trust? Do you thrive on building positive relationships, offering pragmatic guidance, and delivering customer-focused operational support? If you are a resilient, highly ethical, and collaborative individual looking for a pathway to step into a HRBP role in the future, then you could be the person we are looking for!

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 Advisor to help us deliver on that vision.

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.

The Role

Job Title:HR AdvisorLocation:Harbour Learning Trust (Lincoln or Grimsby base)Salary Scale:SO1 Points 23-25 (£35,570 - £37,563 FTE)Actual Salary:£17,014 - £17,968Contract Type:Permanent, 20 hours per week, Term Time + 10 daysClosing Date:Friday 6th November 2026Start Date:ASAP

As the HR Advisor, you will provide sound, consistent operational support on employee relations, absence management, probation tracking, recruitment, and safeguarding compliance. You will build effective working relationships with Principals and leaders across our schools to deliver pragmatic HR guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

The Person: What We Are Looking For

We are seeking an approachable, organised, and proactive HR practitioner with proven experience handling operational casework and building effective relationships in a complex environment.

Essential Requirements:

• 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).

Desirable Requirements:

• CIPD or HR qualification (or degree-level education/equivalent).
• 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.

About Our Trust

We are proud to have the highest performing primary and secondary schools in our area and we are honored to have been shortlisted for the TES Inclusive Trust of the Year Award for two years running. Most importantly, we are proud that we are improving the life chances for our children and giving them the tools and the values to lead happy and successful lives.

Our Vision is to empower and inspire children, adults and communities to be ambitious, healthy and kind, dedicated to making our world a better place. The work we do is underpinned by our DANCE values and our magnificent seven behaviours;

Our Fantastic Five Values

D - Harbour children deserve joyful (delight)schools that ignite creativity and learning through play. We invest in colleagues to ensure success and promote lifelong well-being for everyone.

A - We recruit the best colleagues and nurture talent in safe environments, inspiring our children to strive for excellence (ambition). By learning from the best, we improve and give back to our communities.

N - Harbour schools are rooted in care, valuing respect and empathy (nurture). We create supportive environments where children and colleagues thrive, preparing them for the future.

C - We promote pride, inclusion, and civic responsibility, celebrating diversity and community. Colleagues will experience belonging through collaboration, well-being, and continuous development.

E - Success comes when colleagues are empowered to innovate, take risks, and learn from failure. At Harbour, we encourage creativity and collaboration, helping both children and colleagues achieve their goals.

Our Magnificent Seven Behaviors

• We will act with integrity, honesty and transparency in all that we do
• We will trust our fellow professionals and value their skills and knowledge
• We will work collaboratively and encourage others to do the same
• We will work inclusively, building and celebrating inclusive and diverse communities
• We will be kind to ourselves and in all our dealings with others, acting with
• compassion and empathy
• We will communicate regular, 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.

If you would like to hear more about the role please do not hesitate to contact Katrina Noon, Head of HR & Safeguarding