People Advisor

Athena Care Homes (UK) Ltd; Basildon; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A family-owned care home provider in Basildon is seeking a People Adviser to guide and empower leaders across their teams. This role involves managing employee relations, improving people initiatives, and collaborating on HR projects. Candidates should hold a CIPD Level 5 qualification with experience in a regulated environment. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package are offered, including 25 days of holiday and a fully comprehensive induction.

Benefits

25 days of holiday plus bank holidays

Fully comprehensive induction

Free Blue Light Card

Refer a friend scheme

Qualifications

• Strong, hands-on HR experience in a similar role.
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and ACAS guidance.
• Ability to balance professionalism, sensitivity, and empathy.

Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse Employee Relations caseload.
• Work with the Head of People to improve people programmes.
• Collaborate to implement and deliver key People-related projects.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Understanding of UK employment law

Values-driven approach

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualification

Job description

Athena Care Homes is seeking a People Adviser to support our teams in thriving by guiding, advising, and empowering leaders across our homes, central office, and regional teams. You will be a trusted partner in navigating employee relations, helping to nurture a workplace culture that reflects our values.

Athena Care Homes is an award-winning, family-owned business operating seven residential care homes in East Anglia where care and compassion runs through to our very core. We celebrate everyone as an individual, delivering authentic care, supporting our team to make moments for our residents and their loved ones, or learning and growing together.

About The Role

As our People Adviser, you will be our subject matter expert and trusted voice across all things People and HR related. From employee relations to organisational development and people-focused projects, you will be helping to shape the experience of everyone at Athena Care Homes. You will bring clarity, fairness, and empathy into every conversation, ensuring that our values are lived in practice.

Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience. Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, working around the core hours of 9am to 5pm. Location: Central Office, Russel House, Basildon, Essex, SS15 6TF – with home working (1 day a week) and occasional travel to our care home locations around East Anglia.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse Employee Relations caseload, including disciplinaries, grievances, sickness absence, and capability.
• Work with the Head of People to shape and continuously improve people programmes and initiatives that support a positive, values-led culture.
• Be involved in People-related reporting activity, monitoring trends and risks in areas such as turnover, absence, and employee relations.
• Collaborate with the wider team to implement and deliver key People-related projects, systems improvements, and process enhancements that make a meaningful difference.

Training, Skills & Experience Required

• CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent experience).
• Strong, hands-on HR experience in a similar role within a highly regulated environment.
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and ACAS guidance.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to balance professionalism, sensitivity, and empathy.
• A values-driven approach – someone who leads with care, supports with confidence, and believes in our people’s potential.

What We Can Offer

• Fully comprehensive induction.
• Competitive salary.
• 25 days of holiday per year plus bank holidays.
• Free Blue Light Card & access to the Blue Light discount platform.
• Refer a friend scheme.