Overview
Our highly experienced and reliable HR Consultancy team works in partnership with the Recruitment and Contracts Team and the Payroll and Pensions service.
We aim to provide schools with a practical, comprehensive and cost effective service.
We offer up to date expert support and advice ranging from tailored guidance on new employment law to policy development and supporting schools with all types of employee relations issues.
What the service provides
- Assignment to your school of a nominated Business Partner who will be available to you throughout the day and for a school visit on request
- Interpretation and implementation of employment law into practical school specific policies and guidance
- Advice on and interpretation of conditions of service for teaching and support staff
- Job evaluation service. Teachers salary assessments.
- Support with investigations e.g. disciplinary, grievances, harassment
- Support to school leaders and staff confronted with redundancy issues
- Consultation and negotiation with Professional Associations or Trade Unions on redundancies etc.
- Advice on recruitment and selection including job specifications and descriptions
- Attendance Management
- Completion of statutory Government returns, for example, School Workforce Census
- Advice to Chairs, Governors and Heads on Leadership salary ranges
- Advice on performance management
Benefits to your school
- Our specialised team provides a comprehensive and confidential service with a proven track record. We are committed to provide all the support and advice schools need to build and maintain a rewarded and efficient workforce
- The HR service works in collaboration with advisers from the Local Government Employers Assoc, North West Employers Organisation and representatives from all the Professional Associations to ensure the guidance we give is reliably based
Costs
HR forms part of a package which includes the Recruitment & Contracts Services and Payroll and Pensions
The costs are calculated according to employee numbers within the school.
Where difficult issues e.g. disciplinary investigations become prolonged there may be an extra charge.
Additional information
The full details of the HR Service to schools is available on request.
Overview
Our People Operations, Payroll & Pensions Service provides a comprehensive, joined-up support function for schools, working closely with school leaders and administrative staff. The service delivers recruitment, contract administration, payroll and pension support, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, safeguarding requirements and statutory payroll obligations.
Our aim is to provide a practical, high-quality and cost-effective service that supports schools throughout the entire employee lifecycle, from recruitment through to retirement.
The service is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.
What the service provides
Operations
- Operational advice and guidance on recruitment and transactional HR processes for teaching and non-teaching staff
- Advertising vacancies on Greater.Jobs and other appropriate recruitment platforms
- Management of pre-employment checks, including DBS, references, qualifications and safeguarding compliance
- Processing of new appointments, contractual variations and employee terminations
- Maintenance of accurate employee records within the HR and payroll system
Payroll services
- Fully compliant payroll service with prompt and accurate payment of all school-based employees, subject to published submission deadlines
- Administration of statutory and voluntary deductions, including tax, National Insurance, pension contributions, student loans and attachment of earnings orders
- Processing of salary amendments, pay awards and arrears payments
- Completion of statutory returns, including Full Payment Submissions (FPS), Employer Payment Summaries (EPS) and year-end reporting requirements
- Provision of payroll advice and guidance to schools and employees
Pensions services
- Administration of Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) requirements
- Expert advice and guidance on pension regulations, reforms and retirement options
- Processing retirement applications, ill-health retirement requests and pension scheme elections
- Administration of automatic enrolment and re-enrolment requirements
Benefits to your school
- A dedicated, professional service providing a seamless link between HR Operations, Payroll and Pensions
- Expert advice and guidance from specialists
- Consistent and legally compliant recruitment, employment and payroll administration
- Robust safeguarding and pre-employment checking processes
- Accurate and timely employee payments and pension administration
- Support with complex legislative changes and statutory requirements
- Continuous service development through collaboration with schools and partners
Costs
HR Operations, Payroll & Pensions are provided as part of an integrated service package.
Charges are calculated according to the number of employees within each school, providing a cost-effective and comprehensive solution for recruitment, employment administration, payroll processing and pension administration.
Further information can be found on the Service Level Agreement or by contacting People Operations Service Manager – Jess Hall J.Hall@bury.gov.uk
Overview
The service provides access to qualified and competent occupational health specialists including nurse advisors and physicians.
These specialists provide independent professional advice on matters of health and work. Advice is focused on support for employers in managing health issues.
The service works closely with Health & Safety and HR colleagues in a partnership approach.
Please note that Occupational Health is a service for employees of Schools and the Council and is different to Occupational Therapy. Details about the Occupational Therapy service can be found via The Bury Directory
What the service provides
Professional Occupational Health advice and assessments with regard to:
- Fitness for work
- Ill health absences, and associated options for return to work strategies
- Health concerns arising in connection with work but not involving absence
- Disability support
- Rehabilitation
- Potential ill health retirements
- Access and links to additional support and treatment services, including:
- Health and safety (workplace adjustments and risk assessments in light of health concerns)
- Physiotherapy
- Counselling and psychotherapies
- Eye and eyesight testing
- Support and advice to employees on managing personal health issues and access to a range of health and wellbeing benefits and activities
Benefits to your school
The service will support you in:
- Keeping employees healthy and well, reducing absenteeism and improving performance
- Achieving good practice and legislative standards for workplace health management
- Protecting against the disruption and potential losses associated with ill health and injuries at work
Costs
The SLA price is based on employee numbers and sent under separate cover.
Additional support and treatment services are charged separately to this SLA.
HR Service Level Agreements and further information
pdf file
- HR SLA 2026-27[1.2MB]
pdf file
- HR SLA 2025-26[1.2MB]
pdf file
- Emergency Planning SLA[123KB]
pdf file
- Occupational Health SLA[162KB]
pdf file