People Advisor ( Devon Cluster)

Westcountry Schools Trust; Ivybridge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Westcountry Schools Trust provides HR advisory services across its Devon cluster of schools. The role focuses on employee relations, policy development and ensuring best practice in HR within a busy education environment.

Based at the WeST HR Office, you will work with school leaders to manage complex cases, prioritise urgent matters and support Trust-wide HR projects and professional development.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant experience in an HR advisory capacity with employee relations.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR practice.
• Excellent written communication and ability to produce clear guidance for non-specialists.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Confidence managing competing priorities and coordinating multiple workstreams.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality HR advisory services to an assigned cluster of schools.
• Manage a diverse caseload of employee relations matters and supply professional guidance.
• Contribute to development and improvement of HR policies and practices.
• Collaborate with school leaders to strengthen employee relations across the Trust.

Education

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft 365

AI-enabled tools

Job description

Are you an experienced HR professional looking to make a real impact in the education sector?

We are recruiting a People Advisor to support our Devon cluster of schools, located between Ashburton and Plymouth. The WeST HR Office will be the role’s primary work base.

Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST) is a family of schools united by a shared ambition: to ensure every child attends a great school and receives the education they deserve.

We are seeking an organised, proactive and professionally curious HR professional to join our growing HR Employee Relations team as a People Advisor.

About the Role

As a People Advisor, you will provide high-quality, commercially aware and cost-effective HR advisory services to an assigned portfolio of schools across Plymouth, South Devon and Cornwall.

You will manage a diverse caseload, act as the first point of contact and provide professional advice and support across a wide range of employee relations matters. You will also help to enhance people-related policies and practices in support of the Trust’s strategic aims. Your ability to think clearly under pressure, prioritise effectively and resolve problems independently will be central to delivering excellent professional HR practice across our schools.

You will work primarily within your assigned schools, responding to local employee relations needs and priorities identified by their Senior Leadership Teams. As part of the Trust HR Team, you will receive professional practice support and management from a member of the WeST HR Senior Leadership Team. You will also spend time working from the WeST HR Office at Westcountry Schools Trust HQ, 51 Encombe Street, Plymouth, Devon, PL9 7GN.

You will have:

CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Significant experience in an HR advisory capacity, managing a broad range of employee relations cases, together with a proven ability to contribute to the development and improvement of HR policies and practices.

Experience of working closely with leaders to strengthen employee relations practice.

A good working knowledge of employment law and HR practice.

Excellent written communication skills and the ability to produce clear guidance for a non-specialist audience.

Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

Confidence managing competing priorities and coordinating multiple workstreams.

Strong digital skills, including confidence in using Microsoft 365 applications, collaborative technologies and contemporary AI-enabled tools to improve workflow, insight and assurance, with the ability to develop proficiency in new tools independently.

Experience within education is not essential. Familiarity with education-sector terms and conditions, including NJC arrangements and the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document, would be advantageous, but this knowledge can be developed in the role.

Why Join WeST?

At WeST, our values are at the heart of everything we do:

Collaboration - Stronger Together

Aspiration - We believe every child can succeed

Integrity - We do the right thing

Compassion - We support one another

Respect - We value every individual

You will join a collaborative and forward-thinking People team at an exciting time of organisational development, with opportunities to contribute to meaningful Trust-wide projects and further develop your professional career.

This role forms part of a career grade pathway, providing opportunities for professional development and progression. As post holders gain experience in the HR Advisor role and successfully demonstrate the required skills, knowledge, competencies and professional qualifications, they may progress through a career grade structure. Support will be provided to help individuals develop and achieve the relevant criteria through their work and professional development at WeST.

WeST is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Whilst the indicative working pattern is full time, all year round, we are happy to discuss flexible working.

Procedures

All appointments are subject to pre-employment checks. That means:

• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A copy of our Child Protection Policy & Safeguarding Policy is attached.
• Your identity will be confirmed by sight of original, official documents such as a Birth Certificate, Passport etc. in line with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.
• Original documents relating to all the qualifications you have listed on your application form must be supplied.
• Your employment history will be thoroughly examined and clarification will be sought where there are gaps or other discrepancies arising from information provided either by you as the candidate or your referee.
• References will be used to check dates of employment and your relevant experience. A minimum of two written references will be taken up and these references will be requested before the interview.
• References should cover the last 3-5 years’ work history, as a minimum.
• An online search of shortlisted candidates will be conducted in accordance with Part Three ‘Safer Recruitment’ of Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance.
• The identity of referees and information relating to disclosures will be verified.
• You will be required to provide details of any relevant unspent or spent convictions in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) Order 1986.
• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be requested. Please note that it is an offence to apply, offer or accept to do any work with children (paid or unpaid) if disqualified from working with children. Applicants will be challenged where inconsistencies exist. Please be aware that a firm offer of appointment will only be made after receipt and verification of all satisfactory checks. Westcountry Schools Trust will carry out these checks and should you fail these checks, our offer of employment will be withdrawn.

Further details about the Trust can be found on our website (www.westst.org.uk) and on My New Term (https://mynewterm.com/trust/Westcountry-Schools-Trust/142688)