HR Advisor

Cambian Group Plc; Ashford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recommend A Friend Bonus

Up to 33 Days Holiday, inclusive of A

Free DBS Check

Blue Light Card

Stakeholder Pension

Free Employee Assistance Programme

Annual Employee Awards Evening

Employee Recognition Schemes

Ongoing training with clear career…

CareTech Foundation - grant

Job summary

CareTech in Ashford, Kent, is seeking an experienced HR Advisor to partner with managers and deliver pragmatic HR advice. You will handle employee relations issues including sickness absence, disciplinaries, grievances and flexible working requests, ensuring compliance with employment law and company policies.

The role reports to the HR Business Partner, offers 37.5 hours, permanent contract, and a salary of £30,000–£33,000 with benefits such as pension, training and progression.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 qualification preferred or equivalent HR advisory experience.
• Proven experience advising on complex employee relations cases.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practice.
• Excellent stakeholder management and ability to coach managers.

Responsibilities

• Act as a first point of contact for managers seeking HR advice on employee relations.
• Support sickness absence, investigations, disciplinary and grievance matters, and flexible working requests.
• Provide guidance around suspension processes and support formal meetings with notes.
• Draft professional correspondence and maintain HR documentation to high standards.
• Build relationships with trade union representatives and coordinate with occupational health when needed.

Skills

HR advisory

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Coaching

Education

CIPD Level 5 or working towards

Tools

iTrent

HR systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

HR Advisor

Location: Ashford, Kent

Contract: Permanent

Reports to: HR Business Partner

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £30,000 - £33,000 per annum

‘Extraordinary Days, Every Day’

Are you an experienced HR professional who enjoys partnering with managers and finding practical solutions to people challenges?

We’re looking for a confident and approachable HR Advisor to join our team and provide high-quality, pragmatic HR advice and support to managers across the business.

You’ll be a key point of contact for a broad range of employee relations matters, helping managers navigate sometimes complex situations confidently, fairly and consistently. From absence and performance management to disciplinaries, grievances and flexible working requests, you’ll play an important role in ensuring our people practices reflect employment law, best practice, our values and our commercial goals.

What you’ll be doing

As our HR Advisor, you’ll:

• Act as a first point of contact for managers seeking HR advice and guidance on employee relations matters.
• Support managers with sickness absence, investigations, disciplinary and grievance matters, capability, performance management, whistleblowing and flexible working requests.
• Provide guidance and support around suspension processes.
• Support formal meetings and hearings, including producing accurate and confidential notes.
• Build professional and constructive relationships with trade union representatives.
• Draft clear and professional correspondence, including outcome letters and case documentation.
• Monitor sickness absence, highlighting relevant trigger points and supporting managers with appropriate next steps.
• Support occupational health referrals and follow-up actions.
• Deliver training and coaching to managers and leaders, building their confidence in HR processes and people management.
• Contribute ideas and expertise to continuously improve HR policies, procedures and ways of working.
• Get involved in ad hoc HR projects and wider initiatives as required.

What we’re looking for

You’ll ideally be CIPD Level 5 qualified or working towards your qualification, although we’ll also consider candidates who can demonstrate significant HR Advisory experience.

You’ll also bring

• Proven experience advising on complex employee relations cases.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practice.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to produce clear, accurate and professional HR documentation.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail.
• Confidence in coaching or delivering training to managers.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and HR systems.
• Experience using iTrent would be highly desirable.
• Experience working with trade unions or employee representatives would be advantageous.

About you

You’re someone who can combine a professional approach with a genuine ability to build relationships. You’ll be comfortable working independently, using your initiative and managing competing priorities, including sensitive and confidential matters.

Most importantly, you’ll be pragmatic, solutions-focused and commercially aware, with the ability to balance the needs of the business with fair and positive outcomes for employees.

What We Offer

• Recommend A Friend Bonus
• Up to 33 Days Holiday, inclusive of Bank Holidays
• Free DBS Check
• Blue Light Card
• Stakeholder Pension
• Free Employee Assistance Programme
• Annual Employee Awards Evening
• Employee Recognition Schemes
• Ongoing training with clear career progression opportunities, including access to qualifications up to degree level
• CareTech Foundation - Opportunity to apply for family and friend’s grant

Our Values

• Friendly
• Positive
• Innovative
• Empowering
• Person-Centred

About CareTech

Founded in 1993, CareTech is one of the largest and most reputable specialist social care and special education needs providers across the UK. The Group has a track record of more than 30 years, delivering high quality, person-centred care to those with complex needs. The Group was founded by brother Haroon and Farouq Sheikh, who continue to lead CareTech today, providing continuity of leadership, long term stability and a deep personal commitment to the people we support.

CareTech Community Services are proud to inform you that they are a Disability Confident Leader.

Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 7–10 days.

Some roles may require male or female employees only, where this is a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.