Senior HR Officer - Ellen Tinkham School & College (Learn to Live Federation)
- Exeter, Devon
- Multiple Terms
- £24,344 actual pro-rata salary (based on 28hrs per week)
Start Date: As soon as possible
Are you an experienced HR professional who is passionate about people, education and making a real difference?
The Learn to Live Federation is a dedicated special school community committed to nurturing and empowering children and young people aged 3 to 19 with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Our Federation comprises two Local Authority maintained special schools: Bidwell Brook and Ellen Tinkham Schools. All our pupils have Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs) and benefit from a highly inclusive environment tailored to meet a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We pride ourselves on delivering compassionate, personalised education that supports every learner to thrive and prepare for their next stage in life.
The Learn to Live Federation is seeking a knowledgeable and proactive Senior HR Officer who can build strong relationships and provide trusted advice across a diverse organisation. This is an exciting opportunity for an HR professional who thrives in a busy and varied environment.
You will work closely with the Federation HR Manager and the HR Team, providing HR support and advice across the full employee lifecycle. You will help shape a positive workplace culture, ensure legal compliance, support organisational change and lead key HR processes that enable our schools to thrive.
What You'll Be Doing
No two days are the same in this varied role. You will:
- Support and manage end-to-end recruitment and safer recruitment processes across the federation.
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding requirements, including oversight of the Single Central Record (SCR) and DBS processes.
- Provide high-quality HR advice and support to leaders and employees on a wide range of employment matters.
- Oversee absence management processes and attendance monitoring, across federation.
- Conduct absence review meetings as required, across federation.
- Complete absence management investigations, create investigation packs and progress to Governors absence hearings, across federation.
- Oversee occupational health referrals and manage outcomes and follow up actions across federation to ensure consistency, including advising on reasonable adjustments and supporting staff returning to work.
- Manage risk assessments across federation to ensure consistency in approach and focussing on best outcomes for students, classes and staff.
- Support employee relations matters including performance management procedures.
- In the absence of the Federation HR Manager manage disciplinary and grievance investigations.
- Coordinate training, induction programmes, INSET activities.
- Support organisational change initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
- Support HR team, helping them grow in confidence and capability.
You will have:
- Substantial experience in HR and employee relations.
- Sound knowledge of pay, terms and conditions for teaching and support staff.
- Experience in managing sickness absence and attendance procedures.
- Experience in handling highly confidential and sensitive information.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the confidence to engage with senior leaders, governors and staff at all levels.
- Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and HR information systems, e.g. Bromcom and iTrent.
- Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience.
- A relevant HR qualification at Level 4 or above.
- Membership of the CiPD.
- A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and continuous professional development.
- A full driving licence and access to a vehicle, as regular travel across the federation's three sites as required.
You will be:
- Professional, credible, approachable and solutions-focused.
- Able to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- Passionate about continuous improvement and finding better ways of working.
- Skilled at interpreting legislation and policies and applying it confidently in a school environment.
- Diplomatic, resilient and trustworthy, with exceptional attention to detail.
- Committed to supporting colleagues and fostering positive employee relations.
We offer:
- 28 hours per week, 40 weeks per year.
- Starting salary £24,344.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Staff wellbeing service, includes counselling, physio, 24/7 GP, menopause support, financial wellbeing and surgical assistance.
- Continuous professional development.
At the Learn to Live Federation, our staff are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a supportive, collaborative and inclusive working environment where staff feel valued, empowered and able to develop their careers.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join our federation where your expertise will have a genuine impact on our schools, our staff and the children and communities we serve.
The Learn to Live Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. This post requires an enhanced DBS check. Online checks of publicly available information will be undertaken for shortlisted candidates.
Candidates must demonstrate confidence and fluency in written and spoken English.
How to Apply:
Application form and full job description are available on Devon Jobs. Please note CVs will not be accepted.
For further information, or to return completed application forms, please email: sbedford@bidwellbrook.devon.sch.uk
Closing date: 3rd December 2026
Job Details
- OrganisationOther Organisations
- Work LocationExeterDevon
- Work Postcode
EX1 3RW
- Reference
GB0126
- Occupational GroupHR & Recruitment
- Salary Details
£24,344 actual pro-rata salary (based on 28hrs per week)
- Job TermPermanent
- Appointment TypePart TimeTerm Time
- Hours
28 hours per week, 40 weeks per year
- Closing Date
03/12/2026
- DBS Check Required
Yes