Employee Relations Lead

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an Employee Relations Lead to join our fantastic central HR team at Prospere Learning Trust.

This is a Grade 8, permanent post working 35 hours per week, all year round. The starting salary is £40,476.

We’re looking for:

A candidate who is CIPD qualified, or has equivalent experience, with substantial experience of dealing with complex HR case work. This experience should include advising on HR policy and employment law across a broad range of issues. The right candidate should have the ability to problem solve both operational and strategic issues through a pragmatic and commercially sound approach. 

Main purpose of the job:

• The Employee Relations Lead has a specific focus on achieving a positive employee relations environment, responsible for leading the HR Advisory team, whilst supporting leaders with all people management cases through to resolution and building trusted relationships with key stakeholders throughout the organisation.
• To be responsible for a wide variety of case work, support formal meetings and consultation in a unionised environment.
• To oversee the HR Advisor team, providing guidance, training and support to the HR Advisors to ensure schools within the Trust are provided with timely, legally compliant and pragmatic advice.
• To monitor and review cases across the Trust, ensuring that any concerns are proactively identified and developing appropriate plans to support line managers, school and Trust leadership and the wider staff team.

All school staff are expected to share the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.

Working for Prospere Learning Trust

Great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including.

• High quality CPD for all roles
• Bupa Level 1 Health Plan - annual cash back allowance for a range of every day health care expenses
• Generous Pension Contribution - over 26% for teachers and over 17% for support staff
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service
• Cyclescheme - save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free
• Employee Assistance Programmes - including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines
• Credit Union - regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans
• Flexible working options - we're happy to talk flexible working where possible
• Mental Health First Aid in every school
• Blue Light Card - discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more
• bYond cashback card - spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases

Visit our website to learn more about our Trust: prospere.org.uk

About Prospere Learning Trust

Prospere Learning Trust is a high performing, inclusive and innovative Trust comprising of 9 schools, including 4 mainstream high schools and 5 special needs schools (both primary and secondary) with further schools anticipated across Greater Manchester.

We currently employ over 1000 staff and we believe that our staff play a vital role in achieving our vision of an exceptional education for all. We believe that great schools thrive because of the great people in them. 

We are driven by our core values:

• Inclusion - we recognise people need different levels of support to achieve equitable outcomes.
• Comprehensive education – we welcome all people from our local community.
• Excellence – high standards institutionally, academically and in personal development.
• Expertise – great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in all our staff to achieve their potential.
• Collaboration – we believe we are stronger together.
• Reflection – we are underpinned by thoughtful use of relevant evidence and research.

At Prospere Learning Trust, we pride ourselves in being a great place to learn, work, and grow. We have a resolute focus on developing the quality of education in all of our schools.

To support our staff, we come together as a collaborative learning community, with a strong culture of professional development and mutual support.

Applications will only be accepted through the Jobtrain website -

https://www.jobtrain.co.uk/prosperecareers/Job/JobDetail?JobId=94

The application closing date is the 5th of January 2025, with interviews to take place shortly thereafter.

As per Keeping Children Safe in Education, we conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates to identify any relevant issues for interview discussion. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure declaration, declaring any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. Information will be provided on where to seek guidance on whether certain offences are now protected and should not be disclosed within the self-disclosure form.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 all positions within the School are exempt. Therefore, we are entitled to carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks for all staff and volunteers. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relating to children.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we do not sponsor visa applications. If you’ve lived or worked outside the UK in the last five years, additional information will be required. Job offers are contingent on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references.

Safeguarding Commitment

All schools within the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. 

Equality Statement

Prospere Learning Trust values diversity and welcomes applications from all candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

For application packs or support, contact us at 0161 527 7953 or jobs@prospere.org.uk.