At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert HR advice to schools and support leaders with employee relations.
- Company: Join Haringey Council, a vibrant community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days leave, hybrid working, health support, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to positive change in the community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while developing your HR expertise.
- Qualifications: Must have prior HR advisory experience in schools and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 45750 - 49056 £ per year.
Contract Terms
- Starting salary: PO3 (£45,750 – £49,056)
- Work location: Alexandra House, 10 Station Road, Wood Green, London, N22 7TR
- Hours per week: 14.4 (Part time)
- Contract type: Fixed term contract (Till 31st March 2027)
- Closing date: Sunday, 12th July 2026 at 23:59
- Expected interview date: W/c 20th July 2026
About Haringey
Haringey is a fantastic place to live and work – the world in one borough. A place brimming with creativity, personality, radicalism, and community. It is a place where we stand up for each other. A place that is proudly distinctive. We’ll be celebrating all this and more as the “rebel borough” when we are the 2027 London Borough of Culture. Our history champions change-makers and everyday rebels; reveling in our differences, battling discrimination, championing equality, and doing things our own way. Haringey’s people are a huge asset, with knowledge, expertise, and passion. Our staff members embody our organisational values: Caring, Creative, Courageous, Collaborative and Community-focused. These values keep us looking forward, ambitious for the future, and continuously striving to do our very best for all of our residents.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced HR Advisor (Schools) to provide a high-quality, professional HR advisory service across a portfolio of schools. In this role, you will support Headteachers, Governors, and senior leaders with a wide range of employee relations matters, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and best practice. You’ll play a key role in managing complex casework including absence, disciplinary, grievance, capability, and organisational change, while also coaching leaders to build their confidence and capability in people management. Alongside casework, you’ll contribute to policy development, training delivery, and strategic workforce planning, helping schools drive improvement through effective HR practices.
About the Team
You’ll be part of a collaborative HR function within Culture, Strategy and Communities, working closely with the Head of Schools HR and wider stakeholders across education and local authority services. The team partners with schools through a traded service model, meaning service quality, relationship management, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do. You’ll regularly engage with senior stakeholders including Headteachers, Governors, trade unions, and legal teams, building strong, trusted relationships while supporting schools to navigate complex people challenges and deliver positive outcomes for their workforce and communities.
About You
We’re looking for a confident and knowledgeable HR professional with strong employee relations expertise, excellent communication skills, and the ability to influence and coach senior stakeholders. Crucially, it is very important that you have significant prior HR advisory experience within a schools or education setting (such as a local authority or multi-academy trust). This is a non‑negotiable requirement, as the successful candidate must be able to step into the role and immediately apply their understanding of school environments, policies, and challenges without the need for extensive training. You will ideally hold a CIPD qualification (or equivalent experience) and have a strong working knowledge of employment law, as well as experience operating in a unionised environment. Above all, you’ll be proactive, resilient, and capable of managing complex, sensitive situations with professionalism and sound judgement.
Working for Haringey
At Haringey Council we are committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included, and able to be their best at work, and we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce so welcome applications from all ethnicities and communities so that we continue to make a difference to our residents and community. Our benefits package includes a leave entitlement of 31 days + bank holidays, potential hybrid working opportunities, health and wellbeing support, a generous local government pension scheme and a range of discount schemes across leisure and culture that provide both financial and money‑saving discounts.
Important Information
Please note: we reserve the right to end this advert before the noted deadline if we receive sufficient applications. If you wish to apply for this role, please ensure that you do so as soon as possible. If you have any questions about the status of your application, please contact ResourcingHub@haringey.gov.uk
HR Adviser (Schools) employer: Haringey Council
Haringey Council is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions creativity, collaboration, and community engagement. With a commitment to employee growth and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave entitlements and health support, Haringey provides a supportive environment for HR professionals to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the education sector. Located in the dynamic borough of Haringey, employees can enjoy the rich cultural diversity and community spirit that defines this unique area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Adviser (Schools)
✨Get Involved in Local HR Events
Check out local HR networking events or workshops in your area. These are great opportunities to meet industry professionals, learn about the latest trends in human resources, and potentially get leads on part-time roles like the one at Haringey Council.
✨Join HR Communities Online
Platforms like SHRM Connect or HR-specific LinkedIn groups are gold mines for job leads and industry discussions. Engaging in conversations can put your name out there and might just catch the eye of someone from Haringey Council looking for a part-time star!
✨Utilise University Career Services
If you're studying or have recently graduated, don’t forget about your university's career services. They often have contacts in the HR world that can help you score a part-time gig, plus you can access exclusive job boards!
✨Direct Applications Through Our Website
When you find the part-time role you're excited about, apply directly through our website. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps us streamline the hiring process. Make your application stand out with a tailored approach!
We think you need these skills to ace HR Adviser (Schools)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your People Skills:In human resources, it’s all about connecting with people. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience in recruitment, employee relations, or conflict resolution. If you’ve got any certifications in HR or related fields, don’t forget to flaunt them!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Shine Bright:When applying for a part-time HR role at Haringey Council, your cover letter should reflect your motivation and enthusiasm for the position. Discuss your passion for people management and how you can contribute to their team, even on a part-time basis.
Demonstrate Flexibility and Availability:Since it's a part-time role, be clear in your application about your availability. HR often requires a balance of flexibility and commitment, so outline any existing commitments and how you plan to manage your time effectively.
Include Real-Life Examples:When describing your experience, use specific examples that illustrate your competency in HR tasks. Whether it’s handling employee onboarding or managing records, these anecdotes can make your application stand out to Haringey Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Haringey Council
✨Know Your HR Basics Inside Out
As we're diving into a part-time HR role, let’s brush up on key HR concepts like recruitment processes, employment law, and employee engagement strategies. Prepare to explain how you've handled various HR scenarios in the past or how you'd approach them in the future – this shows you can hit the ground running!
✨Get Creative with Your HR Portfolio
Bring along a portfolio showcasing your HR projects, like recruitment plans or engagement activities you've designed. This isn't just for show; it helps us illustrate our hands-on experience and creativity, making us stand out to Haringey Council. Plus, it’s a tangible way to discuss our achievements!
✨Brush Up on Behavioural Interview Techniques
Expect a mix of traditional and behavioural interview questions. Prepare STAR answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result) on how you've resolved conflicts or improved team dynamics. Since HR is all about people, our ability to communicate effectively will be under the spotlight.
✨Show Flexibility and Enthusiasm
In a part-time HR role, demonstrating a flexible approach to working hours and responsibilities can make us more appealing to Haringey Council. Expressing our eagerness to learn and contribute to the team will demonstrate that we're not just filling a position, but genuinely excited to be part of their journey!
