Overview
27.5 hours per week
One of the best things about working in the People Directorate at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust is making a positive difference to someone's experience at work. Our people strategy at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust allows us to do that through our strategic priority to bring 'Joy at Work', emphasising engagement, equality, diversity and inclusion to ensure our people have a sense of belonging and fulfilment in their roles.
This role provides an exciting opportunity for you to work part-time, so you can balance operating in a specialist employee relations role alongside your outside work commitments and interests. The successful candidate will be invited to discuss a flexible working arrangement to accommodate their needs in alignment with service requirements.
You will have proven experience in providing expert advice to managers on the full range of employee relations matters, including advising on casework. Previous NHS experience is not essential, as it is your ability to apply your understanding of employment law, support and coach our managers to identify risks and make sound people management decisions that will allow you to excel in this role. In turn you will gain valuable skills and development that will come from working in an NHS secondary care and acute setting as part of a friendly and supportive Employee Relations and HR Business Partnering Team.
Please note, this post may close earlier than the given closing date.
Main duties of the job
You will work to ensure comprehensive management of all employee relations matters and provide professional advice and support to managers in all areas of employee relations, ensuring that problems are identified and resolved quickly, effectively and fairly.
In your role, you will be aligned to a specific division/s of the Trust to be the main point of contact for all Employee Relations issues. As a part of this, you will build strong relationships with clinical and non-clinical colleagues to deliver safe and compassionate care to patients in our local area.
You will be regarded as a subject matter expert and will positively influence decisions and promote a restorative just and learning approach and anti-discriminatory approach. You will guide managers on investigations and hearings, and deliver training to managers on employee relations matters to develop the capability of line managers to deal with employment issues fairly and consistently across the organisation, reflecting a restorative just and learning culture and our values.
Additional responsibilities include managing investigations and hearings, and supporting the Head of Employee Relations and HR Business Partners with casework, data reporting and monitoring to improve performance and policy effectiveness. Deputise for the Head of Employee Relations when required.
About us
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust a diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.
We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.
If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.
Details
Date posted: 09 September 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £40,617 to £48,778 a year per annum pro rata inclusive of allowances
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 252-7340873-A
Job locations: Darent Valley Hospital, Darenth Wood Road, Dartford, DA2 8DA
Job responsibilities
Managerial responsibilities:
* Provide professional advice and support to managers in all areas of employment relations such as grievance, disciplinary, fair treatment and absence management procedures, ensuring that problems are identified and resolved quickly, effectively and fairly with clear communication to staff and their representatives.
* Advise managers and staff on interpretation and application of terms and conditions of service and contractual issues.
* Advise and support managers to undertake investigations, including decisions on suspensions, development of investigation reports, and presentation of findings at hearings.
* Attend formal employee relations meetings and advise on documentation, ensuring consistency, accuracy and best practice.
* Support the Head of Employee Relations and HR Business Partners with management of Employment Tribunal claims and monthly employment relations data for KPIs.
* Support interpretation of information, identify problems and work with Trust managers to address them.
* Provide monthly feedback reports on employee relations activity to the HR senior team.
* Lead on supporting managers to manage short-term sickness cases and monitor performance indicators.
* Deputise for the Head of Employee Relations when required.
* Be familiar with the Trusts systems and input/output requirements.
Professional responsibilities:
* Provide professional advice as a full panel member in employment related hearings and guide managers on appropriate actions.
* Develop familiarity with job evaluation and the NHS Agenda for Change framework for job descriptions and person specifications.
* Foster constructive employee relations with Trade Unions and maintain good working relationships across the trust.
Please see attached job description
Person Specification
Education and Training
* Postgraduate diploma in Human Resource Management or equivalent relevant experience.
* Evidence of CPD
Desirable: MCIPD
* Knowledge and Skills: NHS agenda, employment legislation, communication, negotiation, prioritisation, confidentiality.
Experience
* Significant experience in an operational HR environment with supporting managers in employee relations issues.
* Experience building partnerships with trade unions and senior managers.
Desirable: NHS environment experience, policy development, job evaluation.
Personal Attributes:
* Empathetic
* Diplomatic
* Patient
Other
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and will require disclosure checks.
Employer details
Employer name: Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
Address: Darent Valley Hospital, Darenth Wood Road, Dartford, DA2 8DA
Employer's website: https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us
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