HR Advisor

CareTech; Ashford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A national provider of support services is seeking an experienced HR Advisor to provide guidance on employee relations issues. The role involves supporting managers in compliance with employment law and facilitating best practices in people management. Candidates should have a CIPD Level 5 qualification or relevant experience, along with strong communication and organizational skills. This position is based in Ashford and offers a permanent, full-time contract.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or significant HR Advisory experience.
• Proven experience in complex employee relations (ER) matters.

Responsibilities

• Act as first contact for managers seeking HR guidance.
• Support managers in handling sickness absence management.
• Attend formal meetings and support documentation drafting.
• Monitor sickness absence in line with company policy.

Skills

Knowledge of employment law

Stakeholder management

Written and verbal communication

Organisational skills

Training and coaching

Proficiency in IT skills

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualified or significant HR Advisory experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

HR systems (iTrent preferred)

Job description

Overview

Location: Ashford, Kent

Contract: Permanent • Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

Salary: £33,000.00

Closing Date: Friday 14 November 2025

CareTech Community Services established in 1993 has 250 services with continuous growth with new developments/services. CareTech Community Services is a national provider of support for people with complex and challenging behaviours associated with autism, learning disabilities, mental health illness and neurological conditions. We support people to live as independently as possible within their own homes and also in residential care. We are committed to providing the highest levels of care to our residents. To enable us to do this we need caring and dedicated professionals to deliver first class care. All applicants will be subject to satisfactory references and all employees are checked against the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). CareTech are proud to announce they are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job Details

Job Title: HR Advisor

Reports to: HR Business Partner

Location: Ashford, Kent

Contract Type: Permanent

Role Purpose

The HR Advisor will act as the first point of contact for managers, providing balanced, high-quality and pragmatic HR advice across a wide range of employee relations (ER) matters that are in line with employment law, organisational values and the company’s commercial goals. Reporting to the HR Business Partner, the post holder will support and empower managers in achieving consistent, fair, and legally compliant outcomes, while promoting best practice people management.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for managers seeking HR advice and guidance on employee relations issues.
• Support Managers In Handling ER Cases Including
  • Sickness absence management (short- and long-term).
  • Investigations, disciplinaries, and grievances.
  • Capability and performance management.
  • Whistleblowing cases.
  • Flexible working requests.
  • Provide advice and support on suspension processes.
  • Liaise with managers and leaders to schedule meetings, hearings, and case-related discussions.
  • Attend and support formal meetings, including taking accurate and confidential notes.
  • Liaise with trade union representatives, ensuring professional and constructive relationships.
  • Draft correspondence including outcome letters, case documentation, and formal communications.
  • Monitor and track sickness absence in line with company policy, escalating trigger points where appropriate.
  • Support managers with occupational health referrals and follow-up actions.
  • Deliver training and coaching to managers and leaders on absence management and other HR processes.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of HR policies, procedures, and practices.
  • Ad-hoc project work as directed by the HR Business Partner.
  • Any other duties reasonably expected within the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Experience

• CIPD Level 5 qualified (or working towards) OR significant experience in an HR Advisory role.
• Proven experience providing advice on complex ER matters.
• Experience of working with trade unions and employee representatives (desirable).

Skills & Knowledge

• Excellent knowledge of employment law and best practice HR.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with excellent command of the English language.
• Ability to draft clear, professional, and accurate documentation.
• Strong organisational skills with attention to detail.
• Confident in facilitating training and coaching for managers.
• Proficient IT skills including Microsoft Office and HR systems (iTrent would be highly desirable).

Personal Attributes

• High levels of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Self-disciplined, reliable, and able to work under pressure.
• Able to work independently and take initiative.
• Professional, approachable, and able to build strong relationships at all levels.
• Solution-focused with the ability to balance business needs and employee concerns.
• Commercial minded and solution focused.

Document reference: SYS-21374