Human Resources and Payroll

As the employer of all staff, the Trust will work with academies to provide all HR and Payroll support, advice and guidance; through a combination of internal and external support.

Each academy will be provided with a designated Senior HR Consultant through InsightHR and have access to their core services:

• Access to qualified and experienced Senior HR Consultants for on-site visits and remote advice
• Unlimited e-mail advice where a response will always be delivered within 24 hours
• Access to relevant information including policies, guidance notes and template letters
• Visits throughout the academic year; a fully qualified and experienced Senior HR Consultant will attend all hearings, appeals and dismissals as required
• Access to website with additional information and frequently asked questions documents
• Advice and guidance on all relevant employment law legislation to ensure academies are continuing to meet your legal obligations, updates on changes and case law
• Advice and guidance on the interpretation and application of pay and conditions of service for teachers and support staff, STPCD, Burgundy Book, Green Book, Local Government Pension Scheme and Teachers Pension Scheme
• Interpretation and advice on policy, procedure and the law relating to the management of disciplinary, performance improvement, grievance, sickness absence, restructuring and redundancy including advice on resolution and structure for meetings. This will include advice on suspensions, investigations, hearings, appeals and the production of recommended letters
• Advice and support on the relevant family friendly policies and procedures, including maternity, paternity and adoption
• Advice and guidance on all other leave scenarios such as compassionate leave, time off for emergencies and career breaks
• Advice and support on employee relations and industrial relations matters including trade union involvement and consultation
• Advice and guidance on handling Strike action
• Advice and guidance in negotiating settlement agreements
• Supporting change processes which may include preparing for and implementing proposals for new staffing structures, including advice on consultation requirements, notification and involvement of staff and unions, redeployment, early retirement and redundancy
• Advising on referrals to Occupational Health and communicating advice received by the school to facilitate the resolution of health and absence issues impacting on schools
• Attendance at complex welfare meetings offering support and advice, for example, on phased returns to work
• Advice on the Equality Act and duties relating to reasonable adjustments
• Advice and attendance if required at Managing Attendance Stage Warning meetings
• Advice and guidance on Ill Health Applications
• Attendance at hearings for cases of dismissal on the grounds of capability to due to ill health
• Advice and guidance on the recruitment, selection and appointment of staff including safer recruitment and special circumstances effecting the recruitment of staff including the right to work in the UK
• Advice will be provided to Governors as requested as will full pre-hearing meetings to explain the process and procedures involved
• Advice and guidance on responding to safeguarding concerns and handling allegations against staff
• Termly InsightHR newsletter providing information on relevant changes to employment law, up and coming changes to terms and conditions of service, updated policy information and important HR messages
• Frequent email communications on specific HR subjects

In addition, the Trust will support academies as follows:

• Provide full payroll service
• Support and advise academy leaders on employee relations matters
• Coordinate contracts and terms of employment
• Produce Gender Pay Gap reports
• Lead Union consultations
• Develop and review all HR related policies and procedures
• Support and advise employees on all aspects of their employment
• Implement the staff wellbeing charter, strategies and resources
• Manage the employee benefit packages (incl. employee assistance programme)
• Single Central Record maintenance and audits
• Provide of Occupational Health services
• Employee recognition and rewards schemes

HR & Payroll Contacts: