HR Adviser

Harbour Learning Trust, Grimsby, DN41 7QD

15 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  ASAP

• Closing date

  6 November 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  22 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £35,570.00 - £37,563.00 Annually (FTE) £14,749-£15,575 Actual

HR Adviser job summary

HR Adviser - Harbour Learning TrustAre you a proactive HR professional looking to make a real impact across a forward-thinking multi-academy trust? Do you thrive on building positive relationships, offering pragmatic guidance, and delivering customer-focused operational support? If you are a resilient, highly ethical, and collaborative individual looking for a pathway to step into a HRBP role in the future, then you could be the person we are looking for! At Harbour Learning Trust, our success is built on a philosophy of care, inclusion, and high standards. We are a values-driven community where kindness, empathy, and ambition are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in providing an education that prepares every child to be a successful global citizen, and we are looking for a dedicated HR Adviser to help us deliver on that vision.You will be part of a supportive team reporting directly to the Head of HR & Safeguarding, working closely with school leaders, Business Services Partners, and central teams to provide pragmatic advice, maintain compliance, and foster positive employee relations across our academies.The RoleJob Title:HR AdviserLocation:Harbour Learning Trust (Lincoln or Grimsby base)Salary Scale:SO1 Points 23-25 (£35,570 - £37,563 FTE)Actual Salary:£14,749 - £15,575Contract Type:Permanent, 20 hours per week, Term Time + 10 daysClosing Date:Friday 6th November 2026Start Date:ASAPAs the HR Adviser, you will provide sound, consistent operational support on employee relations, absence management, probation tracking, recruitment, and safeguarding compliance. You will build effective working relationships with Principals and leaders across our schools to deliver pragmatic HR guidance.Key Responsibilities

• Employee Relations & Advice: Build strong relationships across all levels to advise line managers on standard employee relations matters including sickness absence, capability, disciplinary, grievance, and probation reviews.
• Casework & Investigations: Assist managers in drafting investigation statements, preparing formal outcome letters, conducting investigations, and providing procedural HR support at formal hearings.
• Absence & Health Management: Partner with Business Services Partners to monitor absence trends, coordinate return-to-work actions, process Occupational Health referrals, and assist with employee risk assessments.
• Safeguarding & Compliance: Collaborate with central teams to verify pre-employment clearances (DBS, Barred List, Right to Work), maintain Single Central Record (SCR) requirements, and uphold safeguarding standards for children across the Trust.
• Onboarding & Probation Tracking: Ensure academy inductions and formal probation reviews are completed accurately and on time across allocated schools.
• HR Data & Governance: Maintain accurate electronic and manual HR systems, produce timely reports for the Head of HR & Safeguarding, and assist in the ongoing review of Trust policies and procedures.

The Person: What We Are Looking ForWe are seeking an approachable, organised, and proactive HR practitioner with proven experience handling operational casework and building effective relationships in a complex environment.Essential Requirements:

• GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent in English and Maths.
• Proven experience handling operational HR casework and building strong relationships across internal teams and unions.
• Sound working knowledge of employment law, safeguarding compliance, safer recruitment, and GDPR data protection regulations.
• Experience presenting case information or taking minutes at formal HR hearings.
• Strong verbal and active listening skills with high attention to detail.
• A flexible, ethically sound approach with a deep commitment to safeguarding and Harbour Learning Trust's DANCE values (Delight & Joy, Ambition, Nurture, Community, Empower).

Desirable Requirements:

• CIPD or HR qualification (or degree-level education/equivalent).
• Prior experience working within an educational or multi-site environment.
• Safer recruitment training.
• A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel between trust sites.

About Our Trust

We are proud to have the highest performing primary and secondary schools in our area and we are honored to have been shortlisted for the TES Inclusive Trust of the Year Award for two years running. Most importantly, we are proud that we are improving the life chances for our children and giving them the tools and the values to lead happy and successful lives.

Our Vision is to empower and inspire children, adults and communities to be ambitious, healthy and kind, dedicated to making our world a better place. The work we do is underpinned by our DANCE values and our magnificent seven behaviours;Our Fantastic Five Values D - Harbour children deserve joyful (delight)schools that ignite creativity and learning through play. We invest in colleagues to ensure success and promote lifelong well-being for everyone.A - We recruit the best colleagues and nurture talent in safe environments, inspiring our children to strive for excellence (ambition). By learning from the best, we improve and give back to our communities.N - Harbour schools are rooted in care, valuing respect and empathy (nurture). We create supportive environments where children and colleagues thrive, preparing them for the future.C - We promote pride, inclusion, and civic responsibility, celebrating diversity and community. Colleagues will experience belonging through collaboration, well-being, and continuous development.E - Success comes when colleagues are empowered to innovate, take risks, and learn from failure. At Harbour, we encourage creativity and collaboration, helping both children and colleagues achieve their goals. Our Magnificent Seven Behaviors

• We will act with integrity, honesty and transparency in all that we do
• We will trust our fellow professionals and value their skills and knowledge
• We will work collaboratively and encourage others to do the same
• We will work inclusively, building and celebrating inclusive and diverse communities
• We will be kind to ourselves and in all our dealings with others, acting with
• compassion and empathy
• We will communicate regularly and with clarity with our stakeholders and with each other, welcoming and reflecting on constructive feedback from others
• We will be aspirational for all, wanting the best for ourselves and for everyone

Come and join our happy, values led trust that truly believes in “success and happiness for all”

Harbour Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All posts are subject to satisfactory background checks and enhanced DBS.

If you would like to hear more about the role please do not hesitate to contact Katrina Noon, Head of HR & Safeguarding

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Harbour Learning Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/harbour-learning-trust

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