People are at the heart of everything we do. As a small and growing Ofsted-regulated children's residential care provider, we know that the quality of care our young people receive depends entirely on the people delivering it. Getting HR right in this environment isn't just nice to have - it's essential. That's why this role matters, and that's why we're looking for the right person to fill it.
We're a small, dedicated team who work closely together and take real pride in the homes we run. We're looking for an experienced HR professional who brings practical knowledge, a calm head, and genuine people skills to the table. Someone who understands that in a care setting, HR sits right at the centre of safe, effective practice.
The Role
You'll manage the full range of HR responsibilities across our team, working closely with managers and staff at every level. No two days will look exactly the same, but your core responsibilities will include:
Payroll & Timesheets — You'll oversee timesheets and payroll with accuracy and attention to detail. Crucially, experience working with non-standard shift patterns — sleep-ins and long days, as these are part of everyday life in residential care, and getting these right matters to our staff.
Employee Relations & Advice — You'll be the first point of contact for managers and team members dealing with workplace matters. Whether it's a formal conduct process or an informal conversation, you'll give honest, practical advice and handle sensitive situations with care and good judgement.
Contracts & Terms of Employment — You'll write, review, and maintain employment contracts and terms of employment, ensuring everything is legally sound, clearly written, and up to date.
Training & Compliance — You'll track and manage training compliance across the team, working with managers to make sure mandatory training is completed on time and properly recorded. In a regulated environment, this is non-negotiable, and Ofsted will expect to see it evidenced clearly.
Performance & Capability — You'll support managers in handling performance and conduct matters fairly and consistently, ensuring processes are followed correctly and staff are treated with respect throughout.
Recruitment — You'll play an active role in recruiting the right people into our homes, supporting the process from job advert through to a safe, compliant appointment, including liaising with the Disclosure and Barring Service and ensuring all safer recruitment checks are completed.
Culture & Staff Wellbeing — You'll help us build and maintain a workplace where people feel genuinely supported, valued, and able to do their best work. In a small team, this has a real and direct impact on the young people we care for.
About You
To be CIPD Level 5 qualified and have solid, hands-on HR experience gained within social care, health, or children's services - this is essential, not optional. You'll understand the pressures and realities of a care environment, and you'll know how to work effectively within one.
To be highly numerate and comfortable working with data, figures, and payroll detail without things slipping through the net. You'll be articulate, able to write clearly, speak confidently, and tailor how you communicate depending on who you're talking to. And you'll be genuinely personable and friendly, the kind of person that staff feel comfortable approaching and managers trust to handle things well.
To be highly confident with IT and systems. Whether it's HR software, payroll platforms, spreadsheets, or day-to-day digital tools, you'll pick things up quickly and use them well. In a small team, there's no dedicated IT support to lean on, so being self-sufficient in this area is important.
To be organised, reliable, and able to manage a varied workload without losing sight of what matters most.
Most importantly, care — about the team, about getting things right, and about the young people whose lives are shaped by the quality of the people around them.
Why Join Us?
We're small enough that your contribution will be visible and genuinely valued. You won't be navigating a large bureaucracy or waiting for sign-off from three layers of management. You'll work with a leadership team that communicates openly, makes decisions quickly, and trusts its people to get on with the job.
If you're looking for a role where you can make a real difference — to a team, to an organisation, and to the young people we support — we'd love to hear from you.
All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references in line with safer recruitment requirements. Applicants will also be required to complete an in depth application form. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Pay: £45,000.00 per year
Experience:
Work Location: In person
