Look Ahead Care Support and Housing
Islington, London
Oct 03, 2025
Full time
We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Employee Relations Specialist located at our Head Office in Islington. £50,000.00 per annum, working 35 hours per week. Want to feel like you're making a difference? You'll feel at home here. Our benefits include: Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service Free DBS Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card Fully paid induction programme and further training ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes Cycle to work scheme Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support Online wellbeing resources A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply) Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship. What you'll do: The Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for building strong working relationships across the business and advising, coaching and training stakeholders and the People team on best practice on all aspects of HR case work. This includes (but not limited to) disciplinary, grievances, absence management, probations, restructures and TUPE as well as training and coaching managers to enable them to successfully manage their teams whilst effectively managing risks. This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead About you: Offering best practice and pragmatic advice on all areas relating to HR Case work with the outcome of aiming to manage risks and reach successful resolution Working with managers and staff to resolve conflict and grievances at the lowest level of formality possible Addressing employee raised issues/concerns Coaching and advising managers on policies/procedures, best practice and identifying risks/costs Ensuring compliance with employment law and policy and processes Ensuring all casework is dealt with in a timely and pragmatic way Facililate change - supporting and advising on restructures, TUPE etc Being a 'trusted advisor' to the business on all aspects of employee relations Support on succession mapping: Provide support in identifying current and future skills requirements, succession gaps. Support on HR induction and other HR related training Building a good working relationship with the wider People team to ensure the effective working of the whole team Ensure people management practices reflect employee brand, values and expected behaviours Health & Wellbeing: Provide guidance to business on best practice approach to dealing with and supporting life events and issues relating to health and wellbeing, including reasonable adjustments and referral to Occupational Health. Essential: Excellent HR experience with a strong emphasis on Employee Relations Ability to effectively influence, challenge and negotiate within their business area on a range of people/HR issues Ability to build effective relationships with people at all levels in the organisation, to understand business needs and consider and be aware of wider organisational and external impact Ability to give sound HR advice to managers on all aspects of HR issues Excellent understanding of employment law, regulations and good practice Ability to think outside of process where necessary and take full accountability Excellent stakeholder engagement and customer service with all managers and staff across the Organisation Desirable: Social Care sector Ideally have operated in a multi-site and unionised HR role TUPE experience For our full job description please visit our website About us: Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us. We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values: We focus on Excellence and innovation. We are Caring and Compassionate. We are Inclusive and Trusted. We work in Partnership and are One-Team. Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date. We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.
