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HR Essentials
HR Essentials is our foundational support service providing dependable, day-to-day assistance with people management for schools and trusts. This package delivers robust HR contracts administration, terms and conditions advice, and access to critical online resources.
Who it’s for:
- Schools with existing in-house HR capacity
- Smaller trusts seeking a reliable support base
- Organisations that need access to accurate HR documentation
- Leadership teams wanting a supportive safety net for basic queries
Key Benefits
Legal Compliance
Ensures adherence to employment regulations and reduces non-compliance risks.
Reduced Administrative Burden
Provides templates, policy documentation, and bulletins to streamline processes.
Expert Guidance
Access to timely advice for basic HR queries.
Horizon Scanning
Regular updates on upcoming legislative changes and HR best practices.
Focus on Strategy
Frees internal teams to concentrate on strategic initiatives rather than administrative tasks.
Documentation Support
Assistance with employment contracts, national agreements, and documentation updates.
HR Solutions
HR Solutions offers a step up from our Essentials service, combining comprehensive documentation access with responsive, expert advice from our team of education HR professionals. This service provides ongoing telephone and email support, guidance through complex issues, and the reassurance of having a dedicated adviser just a call away.
Who it’s for:
- Single academies and stand-alone schools
- Smaller trusts requiring more than basic administrative support
- Organisations not yet needing fully outsourced HR
- School leaders seeking expert guidance for employee relations matters
- Education settings wanting tailored advice that fits their unique context
Key Benefits
Employee Relations Support
Expert guidance for grievances, disciplinary matters, and performance issues with flexible on-site or virtual consultation options.
Education-Specific Expertise
Advice from professionals with real-world school experience, providing solutions tailored to educational contexts.
Confidence in Difficult Situations
Support for challenging conversations and proper procedure implementation to ensure best outcomes.
Risk Reduction
Help avoiding missteps that could lead to costly tribunals while managing compliance issues.
Contextual Approach
Solutions that consider your organisation's unique risk appetite and culture rather than one-size-fits-all advice.
Practical Empowerment
Educationally relevant support that delivers value where it's needed most, helping you manage risk without sacrificing progress.
HR Partner
The HR Partner model is our most comprehensive, proactive HR service - designed to act as an extension of your leadership team. This end-to-end solution goes beyond advisory support, with our team taking full ownership of HR cases, providing on-site presence when needed, and functioning as a true strategic partner integrated with your organisation.
Who it’s for:
- Medium to large multi-academy trusts
- Schools with limited internal HR capacity
- Organisations seeking proactive rather than reactive HR management
- Leadership teams needing strategic HR partnership
- Education settings facing complex people challenges or significant changes
Key Benefits
End-to-End Support
Comprehensive HR support as a true extension of your leadership team - taking ownership of cases rather than just advising, with on-site delivery whenever needed.
Strategic Partnership
Shaping people strategies aligned with your Trust's values and goals, from HR Partners who guide change management, restructuring, and workforce strategy beyond day-to-day operations.
One Trusted Provider
Access specialists across safeguarding, recruitment, payroll, and finance through one partner. Our breadth of expertise ensures support for any HR challenge - no need for multiple providers.
Tailored Solutions
A service that adapts specifically to your organisation's unique challenges, through a customised approach rather than generic HR services.
Critical Period Support
Specialised guidance during Ofsted inspections, TUPE transfers, or leadership changes, to help navigate complex transitions smoothly. We're a stabilising force when you need it most.
Scalable Flexibility
High-level expertise with the flexibility to scale, ideal for organisations with limited internal HR capacity. Efficiently manage HR resources while maintaining quality service.
Case Study: Adaptable support for a Mid sized MAT
Challenge
As a mid-sized MAT, PKAT faced challenges in managing payroll complexities and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of HR regulations. Rather than insourcing, the trust recognised the need for a blended approach to best support their internal team. Adding an extra layer of education-specific advice was critical to ensure compliance and to streamline HR processes effectively.
Solution
Providing a blended approach to the school, we met the trust at the level of support they needed most. Through specialist HR and Payroll advice, targeted training and development for the central team and regular, termly strategic updates, PKAT were empowered with self-sufficiency, backed with a specialist safety net for challenging situations.
"EPM has been an invaluable partner in transforming our HR and payroll functions. Their expertise, innovative solutions, and strategic support have not only helped in dealing with our day-to-day challenges but also positioned us for future success."
HR News and Resources
Keep up to date on changes and regulations with our expert guides & resources.
