HR Advisor

Caretech; Lenham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare service provider in the UK is seeking an HR Advisor to provide expert guidance on employee relations and support managers in achieving fair outcomes. The ideal candidate will have a CIPD Level 5 qualification, strong knowledge of employment law, and experience in a similar advisory role. This permanent position offers the opportunity to contribute to HR policy improvements and assist in training managers on best practices.

Qualifications

• Proven experience providing advice on complex employee relations matters.
• Experience of working with trade unions and employee representatives (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for managers seeking HR advice.
• Support managers in handling employee relations cases.
• Provide advice on suspension processes and case management.
• Attend and support formal meetings, taking accurate notes.
• Deliver training and coaching on absence management.

Skills

Excellent knowledge of employment law and best practice HR

Strong stakeholder management skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Strong organisational skills with attention to detail

Proficient IT skills including Microsoft Office

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualified or working towards it

Tools

HR systems (iTrent highly desirable)

Job description

Job Description: 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.