HR, Advice Support and Training

Our Human Resources service is dedicated to working in partnership with headteachers, school leaders and governing bodies to provide a comprehensive and bespoke service to meet the requirements of your school.

We provide a responsive, flexible and comprehensive range of HR services to all schools including academies, irrespective of governance arrangements. Our services are underpinned by an extensive working knowledge of the education sector and the challenges ahead. In circumstances where your school needs a joint approach, involving other local authority services, we will dovetail our support together with the Payroll Services Team, Education Improvement Service, Occupational Health, Governor Services, Finance, Health and Safety and Legal Services to ensure your school receives the best possible joined up support in all of our work with you.

What we offer

An effective and comprehensive HR Service that meets the day to day and strategic needs of your school which is competitively priced.
Dedicated, professional named HR Business Partners who will work directly with your school to ensure you have the confidence through tailored support to address the many challenges you and your governing body face.
A team of HR professionals with a wealth and depth of experience to provide high quality, solution focused support, setting out the risks, within a timescale agreed with you.
Comprehensive up to date knowledge of education law, employment law and HR best practice and future changes.
Our HR Service has close working relationships nationally with the DfE and the Local Government Association (LGA) to ensure our written policies, guidance and toolkit documents are specifically designed to meet the ever changing and complex challenges faced by schools.
Comprehensive practical support and guidance on all employee relations matters including appraisal/competency, grievance, disciplinary, safer working, recruitment, absence, redundancy/reorganisation, industrial action, pay issues and opportunities for school-based apprenticeships.
Workforce planning, including advice on restructuring, job design and employee development.
Advisory and professional support to head teachers and/or the governing body or trust at all formal hearings and appeals at no extra cost.
Specialist advice to produce statements of case/supporting documents in preparation for formal meetings/hearings and outcome letters to confirm decisions taken at formal meetings/hearings and appeals at no extra cost.
Video conferencing and on-site support to manage HR related casework/investigations including access to specialist HR consultants who can undertake complex investigations on behalf of the school.
Access to the HR Service School Wellbeing and Stress Survey Tool.
A range of inclusive, bespoke training opportunities and online bitesize policy reminders specifically for you as a head teacher, school leader, school business manager, governor or trust board member. The package includes attendance at three training sessions delivered by the HR Service.
Expert job evaluation analysis to ensure that your staffing structures are effective and that all posts in your school comply with the School Teachers’ Pay & Conditions Document, Support Staff/Single Status pay structures and equal pay legislation.
The purchase of one of our annual HR Support packages gives you exclusive access to the Nottinghamshire Schools Staff Absence Insurance Scheme.
A choice of two levels of service: Standard or Enhanced, details of which are summarised in the packages document below.

Working alongside your school designated HR Business Partners, telephone calls and emails will be responded to within one working day, written enquiries within five working days.

“The HR service has been invaluable to me as a head teacher by ensuring all HR processes are adhered to in the best interests of the school ...excellent interpersonal skills have ensured that I have remained confident and well informed.” Eskdale Junior School, December 2024

“The HR service are always on hand to help me as new Headteacher to navigate my way around staffing, difficult situations and offer advice from a different viewpoint.... timely, practical and useful advice. I can't thank the team enough.” Albany Infants and Nursery School, December 2024

“The HR service have been really helpful in supporting the school to deal with some complex issues that have arisen that I never would have expected in my first year as a Head Teacher. The advice and guidance has been invaluable and they have always been on the end of the phone or email to help and advise.” Carlton Digby School, December 2024

“During my seven years with Nottinghamshire Local Authority, the HR Service has been incredibly supportive, especially over the last academic year. Their expertise and willingness to provide advice have been invaluable in navigating the challenges I've encountered. Knowing that I could rely on their guidance has been a great comfort, especially during difficult times or when handling complex tasks. Their support has truly made a difference.” Mapperley Plains Primary and Nursery School, December 2024

“The HR service has been invaluable when dealing with a complex staff issue, providing useful, clear guidance and assisted with Union meetings and associated correspondence. It was reassuring to know that I had the expertise of a HR professional guiding me through the issue step by step, through to a successful conclusion.” Costock CofE Primary School, December 2024

“The HR Service support headteachers through the difficult aspects of school life. Their guidance and policy sharing, when they find the exact section you need to share with your team, saves time and worry. I feel looked after from my HR Business Partner, they will listen to what you are experiencing and bring clarity to the situation with practical steps of what can come next. I would not want to be in this job without my HR Business Partner.” Misterton Primary and Nursery School, December 2024

“The HR Service always offered great support to our school. They are very well informed and have always responded to our needs in a very timely manner. The training events and policy templates are extremely useful. On a personal note, the team have always been aware of my well-being and offered support when challenging situations have arisen. I would highly recommend this service.” Gotham Primary School, December 2024

“The HR team’s support and guidance has been invaluable in helping me and my Business Manager navigate a variety of situations; attending meetings in a formal capacity and simply being available to talk through issues as they arise.” Carr Hill Primary School, December 2024

“I have found the support from HR to be incredibly helpful through my first term as a Headteacher, I have benefitted enormously from the insight and knowledge in supporting me to take appropriate actions through the year. When I needed direct HR attendance, I was supported thoroughly by colleagues from the service whose input was invaluable. Additionally, I have benefitted from the support in helping to establish clear systems and expectations around attendance management and how to support staff to address any attendance difficulties.” Newark Orchard School, December 2024

“The HR service has been pivotal in supporting me with a range of HR decisions I have had to make. I always feel reassurance when talking through scenarios with my allocated HR advisor which then gives me the key information and confidence to proceed with the HR task in hand.” Sutton Cum-Lound Primary School, December 2024

“...really happy with the service provided by the HR Service of Nottinghamshire County Council...always been very knowledgeable and approachable and we will certainly be continuing to use them in the future.” Lady Bay Primary School, December 2024

“As new head teachers...the help, advice and guidance we have received has been invaluable and we would highly recommend the service to other leaders.” Redlands Primary School, December 2024

“As a small school we need partners we can trust and the local authority HR Service has always delivered...they take a proactive approach and are always providing new insights. Nothing has ever been too much trouble. I can’t recommend their services enough.” Manor Park Infant and Nursery School, December 2024

Packages

Enhanced and Standard packages are summarised in the below document, and we are happy to discuss any additional or bespoke requirements with you.

The enhanced level of service will provide your school with an increased number of on-site visits and face to face meetings ensuring a greater level of in-depth support.

Training

General

Access to a full range of HR related training opportunities and bitesize policy reminders for headteachers, school leaders, school business managers, governors and trust board members. We also provide bespoke training for individual schools or groups of schools on request. Please discuss with your named HR Business Partner. Both packages include attendance at three training sessions delivered by the HR Service.

Safeguarding training in Schools

In addition, we also provide Whole School Safeguarding Training and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Training on a pay as you go basis. We have a team of experienced trainers to ensure that schools are compliant with legislation, standards and procedures in safeguarding to fulfil legislative and Ofsted requirements. The training is updated frequently in line with statutory changes and new developments in safeguarding. Please contact safeguarding.training@nottscc.gov.uk or 0115 977 2347 for more information and booking.

Wellbeing in Schools

We continue to work closely with our partners to develop and deliver a revised wellbeing offer for all schools in 2025/26. This includes instant access to the online school wellbeing survey tool, which once completed will analyse results and provide the basis for your school to develop your own wellbeing action plan. We are indebted to the 12 Nottinghamshire pilot schools who worked on this project. We will continue to develop and add to the range of online resources including webinars for all school-based employees to access at a time convenient to them.

Accessing Support

Support and advice is always available from your named HR Business Partner [Word] (requires school's portal log in to view)

Contact can be made by telephone, email and video conferencing. Both packages include access to the HR Helpline available during normal office hours between 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 4.30pm on Friday.

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