The posting
We are ideally looking for someone to join us from January 2027; however, we are happy to discuss start dates with the successful candidate.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional to join our growing, values-led organisation and play a key role in supporting the people who make a difference to children's lives every day.
Our People Team has evolved, creating greater opportunities for HR Advisers to focus on professional advisory work. Supported by dedicated People Assistants who lead on recruitment and key people processes, our HR Advisers provide expert advice and guidance, lead employee relations casework, support attendance and wellbeing, use workforce data to inform decision-making, and contribute to organisational change and improvement.
Working in partnership with leaders across our family of schools, you'll help create the conditions for colleagues to thrive and schools to succeed. You'll provide practical, high-quality HR advice, build trusted relationships and support leaders to navigate some of their most important people challenges. We welcome applications from HR professionals from a range of sectors and backgrounds.
We're proud to hold Silver Investors in People accreditation, reflecting our commitment to creating a workplace where colleagues feel valued, supported and able to flourish.
This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. Alongside advisory work and case management, you'll contribute to Trust-wide projects, organisational development and service improvement, helping shape the future of our People Service as we continue to grow.
Whether you're looking to build on existing HR advisory experience or are seeking a broader role with opportunities to influence, develop and make a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.
What You'll Do
Working as part of our People Team, you'll provide professional HR advice and support across a wide range of activities, including:
- Providing expert HR advice and guidance to leaders across our schools and teams.
- Leading employee relations casework and supporting positive outcomes for colleagues and leaders.
- Supporting leaders to manage attendance, wellbeing, performance and workforce challenges.
- Coaching leaders to build confidence and capability in managing people matters effectively.
- Delivering training, briefings and guidance on HR policies, processes and good practice.
- Using workforce data and insights to support workforce planning and informed decision-making.
- Leading or contributing to People projects and initiatives that support our strategic priorities.
- Supporting organisational change, consultation activity and the integration of schools joining our Trust.
- Contributing to the development and review of HR policies, guidance and resources.
- Providing oversight of recruitment, onboarding and colleague lifecycle processes, working closely with our People Assistants to ensure a high-quality service.
- Supporting and developing our People Assistants, sharing knowledge and providing guidance on more complex matters.
We're Looking for Someone Who:
- Shares our commitment to Flourishing Futures and understands the important role great people practice plays in supporting schools and outcomes for children.
- Has HR advisory experience and is confident supporting managers with a range of people matters and employee relations casework.
- Ideally holds CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent), or can demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge, skills and experience.
- Has a strong understanding of employment law and HR best practice, gained through HR advisory experience in education or another sector.
- Builds positive relationships quickly and provides pragmatic, balanced and solutions-focused advice.
- Enjoys working collaboratively and is confident supporting, coaching and constructively challenging leaders where appropriate.
- Has excellent communication skills and can adapt their approach to a range of audiences and situations.
- Is organised, able to manage competing priorities and comfortable working in a varied and fast paced environment.
- Is curious, proactive and motivated to continually improve the way we support colleagues and leaders.
- Shares our values and is committed to creating a positive colleague experience across the Trust.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you're looking to develop your HR career, broaden your experience and make a meaningful contribution, we'd love to hear from you.
Our work is guided by four core beliefs:
Stronger Together | A Sense of Belonging | Removing Barriers | Realising the Possible
We want to help you decide whether we're the right fit for you. That's why we encourage prospective applicants to arrange an informal conversation, visit or virtual call to learn more about the role, our People Team and what it's like to work with us.
We recognise that excellent candidates may have existing commitments and are happy to discuss start dates with the successful applicant.
We'd love the opportunity to show you what it's like to work at LAP. Come and experience our culture, values and vision first hand and discover how you could help us deliver Flourishing Futures.
To arrange a call or visit please contact:
📧 [email protected] | ☎ 01626 248800
For further details and to apply, visit the vacancies section of our website: 🌐 www.lapsw.co.uk
If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or a neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism we’re here to help. We encourage you to share any adjustments you may need so we can ensure a fair and equitable process for all applicants.
For useful resources, please visit: https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/
The closing date for this post is Thursday 5th November 2026 (9am) however please feel free to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be considered upon receipt. We reserve the right to interview / appoint before the closing date. Interviews are anticipated to take place on 11th/12th November 2026
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS disclosures are required for this post along with the other necessary checks. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974
