Cheshire Academies Trust
Be part of our Tribe
HR Advisor (Fixed Term)
Recruitment Pack
October 2026
Be part of our Tribe.
Welcome from the CEO
On behalf of Cheshire Academies Trust, thank you for your interest in our six-month, fixed-term HR Advisor post.
Cheshire Academies Trust is a growing Multi-Academy Trust of thirteen primary and special schools, with experienced and ambitious leaders across all of our settings. Our schools serve communities across Cheshire, Wirral and Liverpool, and our collective purpose is clear: when the adults around children are skilled, well-supported and genuinely motivated, children thrive.
Our vision, ‘Inspiring Hearts and Minds’, runs through everything we do. We hold ourselves to account through the outcomes of our most disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND. People are at the centre of how we operate as a Trust, and we invest in our staff because workforce quality is the greatest lever we have for improving children’s lives.
We are building an in-house people function. While we take the time to decide the right shape for its leadership, we need an experienced HR Advisor to take on our day-to-day employee relations casework and make sure our policies are applied consistently in every school.
You will report to our Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO), Luci Jones, who leads HR for the Trust. You will work directly with our Headteachers and School Business Managers, and alongside our legal advisers, Browne Jacobson, on the more complex cases.
We are looking for someone who has run HR casework in schools, who knows the Burgundy Book, the NJC Green Book and the STPCD, and who can pick up a live caseload in the first week. You will be CIPD qualified to Level 3 or higher, and confident advising a Headteacher on a sensitive staffing matter. This is a six-month fixed-term contract, ideally full time, although we will consider part-time arrangements for the right person.
If you would like to discuss the post, please contact our CFOO, Luci Jones, at lucijones@cheshireacademiestrust.co.uk
Warm regards,
Steve Ellis
CEO
Our Schools and Teaching School (CLTA):
Central Team Structure:
HR Advisor Vacancy (Fixed Term)
The Role
Reporting to the CFOO, you will be the Trust's HR Advisor for employee relations casework and policy application across all thirteen schools, on a six-month fixed-term contract. You will work directly with Headteachers, School Business Managers and central team colleagues. This is a hybrid role based at our central offices, with regular visits to schools across Cheshire, Wirral and Liverpool and some working from home.
What You'll Do
Our teachers are employed on the STPCD and Burgundy Book, and our support staff on NJC Green Book terms negotiated in each local authority area. You will take over a live caseload, keep it moving within policy timescales and give schools quick, practical advice.
In your first two weeks, you will review every open case with the CFOO, agree priorities and next steps, and introduce yourself to Headteachers and SBMs. By the end of the contract, every case you have handled should be properly recorded, and either closed or handed over with a clear note of where it stands.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Managing a caseload of disciplinary, grievance, capability, sickness absence, probation and dignity at work cases across all schools, from first concern to outcome and appeal.
- Advising Headteachers and SBMs at each stage, and drafting invitation letters, terms of reference, outcome letters and case notes to a consistent Trust standard.
- Carrying out investigations, interviewing witnesses and writing evidenced reports, and supporting investigating officers and hearing panels.
- Managing sickness absence against Trust triggers, including occupational health referrals, return to work meetings, phased returns and reasonable adjustments.
- Running probation reviews with Headteachers so that decisions are made and recorded before six months' service, ahead of the unfair dismissal changes from 1 January 2027.
- Working with the Trust's safeguarding lead on the HR side of allegations against staff, including suspension, LADO liaison in each of our three local authority areas, and any referral to the DBS or Teaching Regulation Agency.
- Applying Trust policies consistently, identifying where policy and practice don't match, and helping the CFOO update policies and model letters, including the Flexible Working and Probationary policies.
- Keeping case and absence records accurate in Civica, in line with UK GDPR, and producing a monthly casework and absence report for the CFOO.
- Working constructively with recognised trade union representatives, and preparing cases for referral to Browne Jacobson where legal advice is needed.
- Delivering short briefings for Headteachers and SBMs on absence, probation and managing conduct.
What You'll Bring
- Experience of HR casework in an education setting (a school, multi-academy trust or council schools HR service) is essential. You will understand how a Headteacher's day works and why staffing issues in schools need fast, careful handling.
- You will have run a day-to-day caseload yourself, from first concern to outcome, and carried out workplace investigations. You will know when a case needs legal advice and when it doesn't.
- Working knowledge of the Burgundy Book, the NJC Green Book and the STPCD, and of the employment law changes taking effect through 2026 and 2027.
- CIPD qualified to Level 3 or higher. Level 5 or above is an advantage.
- You will be organised enough to pick up someone else's caseload and confident enough to give a senior leader advice they may not want to hear.
- The post is full time for six months. We will consider part-time arrangements of three days a week or more, so please state each candidate's availability clearly.
Contract details:
• Six-month fixed-term contract from Monday 16 November 2026, employed directly by the Trust
• NJC SCP 26–30, £38,510–£42,123 FTE (2026–27), with appointment expected at SCP 26–28 (£38,510–£40,444) depending on experience
• Full time, 37 hours, Monday to Friday, 52 weeks (part time of three days a week or more considered, pro rata)
• NJC Green Book terms and conditions and Local Government Pension Scheme membership
• 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, pro rata for the contract (31 days with 5 years’ continuous local government service)
• Core hours 9:00–17:00, with flexibility for occasional early or late hearings and meetings
• Based at our central offices at Kelsall Primary School (Cheshire West) and Woodchurch Road Academy (Wirral), with regular school visits
• Typically two days a week working from home once established
• Systems: Civica (HR and payroll), My New Term (recruitment and onboarding), Microsoft 365 and Teams
• Reports to Luci Jones, Chief Finance and Operations Officer
We are proud of our collaborative, values-led culture. You will join a central team that works closely with schools, is approachable and supportive, and is committed to staff wellbeing as well as pupil outcomes.
Agency Process:
Please send CVs to Luci Jones by 12 noon on Monday 26 October 2026. Full details of the selection process, compliance requirements and agency terms are set out on the final page of this pack.
Cheshire Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Employee Relations Casework
Manage disciplinary, grievance, capability, probation and dignity at work cases across all schools, from first concern to outcome and appeal. Advise Headteachers and SBMs at each stage and draft correspondence to a consistent Trust standard. Escalate high-risk or potentially litigious cases to the CFOO.
Investigations and Hearings
Carry out investigations, interview witnesses and write clear, evidenced reports. Support investigating officers and hearing panels, prepare bundles and present management cases where required. Support the CFOO and Browne Jacobson with ACAS early conciliation and tribunal preparation.
Absence, Health and Wellbeing
Manage sickness absence against Trust triggers, including occupational health referrals, return to work meetings, phased returns and reasonable adjustments. Point staff to the Employee Assistance Programme and the Trust's wellbeing support.
Allegations and Safeguarding-Related HR
Work with the Trust's safeguarding lead on the HR processes that follow allegations against staff, including suspension, investigation, LADO liaison in Cheshire, Wirral and Liverpool, and referrals to the DBS or Teaching Regulation Agency. Keep allegation records secure and separate, in line with KCSIE 2026.
Probation and Policy Application
Advise on probation reviews and give first-line advice on Trust policies, the Burgundy Book, the Green Book and the STPCD, and help the CFOO keep policies and model letters current as employment law changes.
Records, Data and Compliance
Keep case and absence records accurate in Civica, in line with UK GDPR and the Trust's retention schedule. Produce a monthly casework and absence report for the CFOO.
Handover
Before the contract ends, provide a written handover of every open case, with its current status, next steps and key dates.
Job
Description
Post:
HR Advisor (Employee Relations), Fixed Term
Salary:
NJC Pay Scale SCP 26-30 FTE £38,510 - £42,123 (2026-27). Appointment at SCP 26-28.
Six-month fixed term, full time: actual salary £19,255 - £21,062 for the contract period
Job Title: HR Advisor (Employee Relations), Fixed Term
Location: Hybrid (Kelsall/Woodchurch Road/schools/home) Reports to: CFOO
Key: E = Essential D = Desirable A = Application I = Interview R = References C = Certificate
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#
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Criterion
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E/D
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Evidence
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Qualifications
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1
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CIPD qualification at Level 3 or higher
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E
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A/C
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2
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CIPD Level 5 or above, or Associate Member (Assoc CIPD) or higher
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D
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A/C
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3
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Safer recruitment training (or willingness to complete it in the first month)
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E
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A/C
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4
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Workplace investigations training
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D
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A/C
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Knowledge & Experience
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5
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HR casework experience in an education setting (school, multi-academy trust or council schools HR service). Candidates without education experience will not be shortlisted
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E
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A/I/R
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6
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Running a day-to-day caseload of disciplinary, grievance, capability, sickness absence and probation cases from first concern to outcome
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E
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A/I/R
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7
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Carrying out workplace investigations and writing evidenced investigation reports
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E
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A/I/R
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8
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Advising Headteachers or senior managers on applying policy consistently across several sites
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E
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A/I
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9
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Working knowledge of the Burgundy Book, NJC Green Book and STPCD
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E
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A/I
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10
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Working knowledge of current employment law, including the Employment Rights Act 2025 changes
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E
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A/I
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11
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Understanding of KCSIE Part 4 and the HR side of allegations against staff, including LADO liaison
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E
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A/I
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12
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Working constructively with recognised trade union representatives
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E
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A/I
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13
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Presenting management cases at hearings and appeals
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D
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A/I/R
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14
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Supporting ACAS early conciliation or employment tribunal preparation
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D
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A/I
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15
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Experience of Civica or another HR information system
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D
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A/I
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Skills & Abilities
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16
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Excellent written communication, including letters, case notes and investigation reports
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E
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A/I
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17
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Ability to pick up an existing caseload quickly and manage competing deadlines without close supervision
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E
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A/I/R
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18
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Ability to handle confidential and special category data in line with UK GDPR
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E
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A/I
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19
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Confident use of Microsoft 365, including Teams and Excel
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E
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A/I
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Personal Qualities
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20
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Discretion, integrity and sound judgement with sensitive matters
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E
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A/I/R
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21
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Fair-minded, calm and firm, with empathy for staff going through difficult processes
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E
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A/I/R
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22
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Confidence to challenge and advise senior leaders
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E
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A/I/R
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Other Requirements
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23
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Willingness to travel to schools across Cheshire, Wirral and Liverpool, with a driving licence and access to a vehicle
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E
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A/I
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24
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Available to start in November 2026 for a six-month fixed-term contract
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E
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A
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25
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Enhanced DBS clearance and satisfactory pre-employment checks
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E
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C
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Information for Agencies
Submitting candidates. We are asking a small number of agencies to put forward candidates for this post. HR experience in an education setting (a school, multi-academy trust or council schools HR service) is essential, and we will not consider candidates without it. Please send no more than three CVs, each with a short covering note setting out the candidate's education casework experience, CIPD level, availability, notice period and current salary. Please send CVs to our CFOO, Luci Jones, at lucijones@cheshireacademiestrust.co.uk.
Selection process. Interviews will be a single stage, held in person or on Microsoft Teams and lasting around 60 minutes. The panel will be Steve Ellis (CEO) and Luci Jones (CFOO). The interview will include a short casework scenario. We will confirm our decision to the agency within two working days of the final interview, and the Trust will issue the offer letter and fixed-term contract directly.
Agency terms. This is a direct fixed-term appointment, so the successful candidate will be employed by the Trust from their first day. Please send your terms of business with your CVs, stating your placement fee as a percentage of the salary actually paid over the six-month contract (not an annualised salary), your rebate terms if the appointment ends early, and any fee that would apply if the Trust later extends the contract or offers a permanent post.
Compliance. We ask the agency to carry out pre-employment checks. This includes references, an enhanced DBS check (an Update Service check, or a new enhanced DBS check where the candidate is not on the Update Service), a digital right to work check, and identity and qualification checks. To help us move quickly, please supply the following for each candidate:
• A full employment history, with any gaps explained
• Contact details for referees covering at least the last two years, including the most recent employer
• DBS certificate number and whether the candidate is on the Update Service
• Right to work documents or a Home Office share code
• National Insurance number
• Copies of CIPD and other relevant qualification certificates
• Details of any time lived or worked outside the UK, so that we can obtain overseas checks
Other agencies and data. This brief has been sent to a small number of agencies at the same time. and candidate information will be handled in line with our Recruitment Privacy Notice. The successful candidate will sign the Trust's confidentiality agreement on their first day.
Start Date:
As soon as possible
CVs by: 12 noon, Monday 26 October 2026
Interviews: tbc
We reserve the right to close this brief early if a suitable candidate is identified before the CV deadline.