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 support to meet the requirements of your school.

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

What we offer

An effective HR service that meets the day to day and strategic needs of your school.
A competitively priced HR service, exceptionally remaining at the current pricing levels for the financial year 2022/23.
Dedicated professional named HR Business Partners who will work with you to ensure you have the confidence and necessary 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.
Our HR Service has close working relationships nationally with the DfE and the Local Government Association (LGA) to ensure our written policies, guidance and comprehensive 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 and performance related pay issues and opportunities for 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 documents in preparation for 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 investigations including access to specialist HR consultants who can undertake complex investigations on behalf of the school.
A range of bespoke training opportunities specifically for you as a head teacher, school leader, school business manager, governor or trust board member.
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 and 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 Partner, we will respond to your telephone calls and emails within one working day and to written enquiries within five working days.

"As a new head teacher, two and a half years ago, the HR service has been invaluable. A head teacher’s chair can be a lonely spot, it was comforting that HR were just a phone call away. I could rely on receiving accurate and up to date advice and support. The HR team have always shown compassion and understanding, they have supported me and my staff through these extremely challenging few years – they are a formidable team." - Rampton Primary School, December 2021

"The HR service we receive has always been high quality, high impact on procedures within school, supports me as a head teacher and improves my well-being". - Gotham Primary School, December 2021

"Nottingham County Council’s HR Business Partners are always helpful, friendly and professional – I feel safe in their hands and reassured." - St Patrick’s Primary, December 2021

"Nottingham County Council’s HR department provides an excellent service. Having dedicated knowledgeable Business Partners means the advice and guidance received is always thorough, accurate, reliable and informative." - Anonymous, December 2021

Packages

Enhanced and Standard packages are summarised in the above 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 for headteachers, senior leaders, business managers, governors and trust board members at a reduced price. We are also able to provide bespoke training for individual schools or groups of schools on request. Please discuss with your named HR Business Partner.

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 offering training to ensure that schools are compliant with legislation, standards and procedures in safeguarding to fulfil legislation 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.

Benefits to your school

Customer Service - 96% of respondents to our recent customer survey rated the service excellent or good.
HR advice and support - 92% of respondents rated the service excellent or good.
Resolution of issues - 96% rated the service excellent or good.
Value for money - 96% of respondents rated the service excellent or good.

Accessing Support

Support and advice is always available from your named HR Business Partner [Word]

Contact can be made by telephone (Office and Mobile), email and video conferencing. Both packages include access to the HR Helpline available during normal office hours between 8.30 am -5.00 pm, Monday to Thursday, 8.30 am – 4.30 pm on Friday.

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