HR People Partner - 12 Month Maternity Cover

About Five Rivers Child Care

Five Rivers Child Care is a social enterprise dedicated to transforming the lives of children. They offer premium fostering, residential, educational, and clinical services designed to assist children and young people in recovery, growth, and reaching their potential.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced People Partner to cover a 12-month maternity leave. This role involves collaborating with operational leaders and managers to deliver practical and values-driven support to staff across the organisation.

The incumbent will aid managers in cultivating resilient, child-centered teams by providing counsel on employee relations, managing absence, performance, boosting engagement, workforce planning, and navigating organisational changes.

Based at the Salisbury head office, this position will require travel across the country to various homes.

Primary Responsibilities

• Delivering reliable people-oriented advice and coaching to managers and senior leadership.
• Handling employee relations including absence, conduct, capability, grievance, and performance-related cases.
• Ensuring managers apply consistent, equitable, and values-aligned approaches to people management.
• Analyzing employee data to identify workforce patterns, potential challenges, and opportunities.
• Assisting with recruitment, workforce retention, engagement, and planning.
• Contributing to change initiatives, policy rollouts, and continuous improvements.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a confident HR professional with solid knowledge of employee relations, excellent judgment, and a proven ability to build trust in dynamic, regulated environments.

While prior experience in children's services is not mandatory, an understanding of safeguarding, resilience, and value-oriented practices when supporting vulnerable children is crucial.

• Previous experience as an HR Advisor, HR Business Partner, People Partner, or comparable position.
• Thorough knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations.
• A track record advising managers on complex HR issues.
• Strong skills in communication, coaching, and influencing.
• Well-developed organizational abilities capable of managing multiple site requirements.
• Possession of a CIPD qualification or equivalent experience.

Working Hours and Benefits

• Work schedule: Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Annual leave: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays.
• Benefits including company pension scheme, Blue Light Card, Simplyhealth medical cashback plan.
• Referral bonuses for friends and foster carers.
• Monthly supervision, ongoing professional development, and a car allowance.

Safeguarding and Compliance

Five Rivers Child Care emphasizes safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Employment offers are contingent upon thorough safer recruitment procedures including enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, and confirmation of the right to work in the UK.