We are recruiting for Senior HR Assistant to be part of our People Transactions team. Currently our office is near to Warwick University but we are soon moving to fantastic new facilities near Coventry Train Station. Typically, we are in the office two days per week (typically this is a Monday and a team day), and the rest of the time we are trusted and empowered to work remotely. Let us tell you a bit more about the role… Our People Transactions team are responsible for all aspects of the employee life cycle, including but not limited to: Processing contractual and payroll-related changes Generating contractual documentation Advising managers and employees on policy and procedures Responding to internal and external queries within a timely manner Managing the DBS renewal process for all employees and contractors Processing employees who are leaving the organisation Accurately inputting and updating employee data on our systems and employee files … and what we’re looking for While previous experience in HR administration or shared services and an HR-related qualification (e.g. CIPD) would be advantageous, it’s not mandatory. If you demonstrate strong administrative experience, the ability to work with stakeholders, and thrive in an agile, fast-paced environment, we’d love to hear from you and we'd welcome the chance to help you build and enhance those skills in a HR space. However, there are some key ingredients you will need to have: Proficiency in the use of IT, being self-motivated, and possessing strong organisational, interpersonal, and customer service skills. Experience in developing and maintaining effective relationships, working to tight deadlines, and having a strong attention to detail that ensures you get the job right first time. The ability to face challenges head-on, overcome objections, and thrive in dynamic settings. A fast learner who picks things up quickly, demonstrates confidence, and communicates effectively. A keen eye for detail, with a genuine care for the quality of your work. Adaptability and openness to change. If this sounds like you, this is an excellent opportunity to join an experienced HR team and to develop and enhance and build your HR skills in a varied and challenging role. You will also be joining an ‘outstanding’ organisation and one in which individuals are supported to fulfil their professional potential while also achieving a healthy work/life balance. As well as the attached job description and person specification, please look at the various benefits you will be entitled to in addition to the advertised salary. We are a diverse, inclusive organisation that is a safe space for colleagues with shared aspects of identity and lived experience, which helps ensure we provide a service which promotes the diversity and uniqueness of children and families from all backgrounds. We especially welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds as we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the children and families we work with. You can find out more about the above - and much more - before you apply and we also recommend you read the job description. Next steps / timelines If and when you are ready to apply, our application process is straightforward and quick to complete. You don’t need to complete your application in a single visit, you can start it and come back and amend your responses / update your CV, just make sure you come back before the closing date to submit. Below we have given you an indication of a timetable we are hoping to work towards, although dates are subject to change. Closing date: 16th February 2024 Telephone interview: Ongoing Final Interview & Assessment: w/c 24th February 2024 We understand you may benefit from finding out more to help you decide to apply. There is a lot of information available at Cafcass Careers but if there is something else you need to find out more about, you can either contact Priya.Kadaracafcass.gov.uk or Jade.Mellorcafcass.gov.uk if you have any queries regarding the recruitment process or if your questions relate more to the role, providing your contact information and best times / methods to get hold of you. Whilst we will always try and respond a.s.a.p. we wouldn’t want you to miss the closing date before we are able to. If this is the case, we recommend you apply and as part of your application you can ask questions and this may allow us to contact you and provide you with the required information that will help you decide if you still wish to be considered. Finally, in anticipation of your application being successful, you might want to read about the offer and pre-employment checks process. As part of your application you can highlight any concerns or questions about the pre-employment checks and we encourage all applicants to do so, safe in the knowledge such information will not be shared with individuals involved in the selection process. Finally, if you aren’t familiar with Cafcass – it stands for Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service – and we represent children in family court cases in England. Independently advising the family courts about what is safe for children and in their best interests, we speak up for over 140,0000 children every year when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures, ensuring their needs, wishes and feelings are heard. Watch our video to find out why we don’t just listen to children’s voices but we can be their voice. We look forward to hearing from you. Be Their Voice We are Cafcass – the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service – and we represent children in family court cases in England. Independently advising the family courts about what is safe for children and in their best interests, we speak up for over 140,0000 children every year when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures, ensuring their needs, wishes and feelings are heard. Watch our video to find out we don’t just listen to children’s voices but we can be their voice. If our purpose resonates with you, then if you join us you will work alongside like-minded people in a diverse, inclusive and supportive organisation. You will be trusted to work flexibly and independently using outstanding technology (e.g. touchscreen laptops, iPhone, all with first class support, including IT Trainers) with access to substantial resources (e.g. Cafcass Library has over 27,000 resources on social work, child protection and related topics). You will also have opportunities to develop, whatever team you join, wherever you are in the country and at whatever stage you are at in your career. Whether you join us in one of our social work roles that work directly with children and families or our corporate and business services teams who provide technology, support and expertise, you will have the chance to make a difference for children and families. You can also find out more at www.cafcass.gov.uk/careers. Wellbeing The wellbeing of our colleagues is something we are truly passionate about, as demonstrated by everyone having four dedicated, additional days per year when they are encouraged to spend time focusing on their health and wellbeing. Colleagues can also have a health and wellbeing cash plan, for which Cafcass pays the basic premium (you can upgrade to include family members), which allows them to claim back some costs of routine health expenses, including dental check-ups, eye tests, physiotherapy sessions and more. Overall, we foster a holistic approach to supporting our colleagues, benefitting physical, mental and financial health. This is led by a dedicated in-house team, the benefits of which include meaning support is targeted and specific to what colleagues need. Our team can also offer support and guidance when it comes to specific health conditions, such as neuro-diverse conditions, cancer and the menopause. Our wellbeing offer is further strengthened by an external Employee Assistance Provider (EAP) which provides a free confidential support service 24 hours a day. This means access to clinical and professional expertise which gives you a chance to talk about all kinds of work and personal issues. If this wasn’t enough, we are especially proud that over 125 colleagues have completed training and receive ongoing support to act as Health and Wellbeing Champions. Furthermore, we have nearly 100 people that have trained to be Mental Health Allies. Diversity We represent children and families from diverse backgrounds and having a diverse workforce helps us to fulfil this responsibility authentically. It also helps us to grow, evolve and innovate, so we particularly welcome applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds as we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the children and families we work with. We are also a Disability Confident Leader, which further underlines our commitment to employ, train, retain and develop the careers of colleagues with disabilities. Our Diversity Networks provide a safe space for colleagues with shared aspects of identity and lived experience – supported by allies across the organisation. The networks help ensure we provide an inclusive working environment and a service which promotes the diversity and uniqueness of children and families from all backgrounds. Our current networks include: Ability Matters Colleagues with disabilities and long-term health conditions. Carers Network Colleagues with additional caring responsibilities for someone close to them who has a disability or long-term health condition. Faith Network Colleagues who are part of, or have an interest in, religious or spiritual faith communities. Kaleidoscope Network Colleagues from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. Mental Health Network Colleagues who experience, or have an interest in, Mental Health issues. Pride Network Colleagues who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans – LGBT. Together ‘Together with Children and Families’ (which we just call ‘Together’) is the name of our relationship-based practice framework. It applies to the work of every individual in Cafcass, from Social Workers to Leaders and includes our Corporate and Business Support teams. It is at the heart of what we do and is made up of our values, how these values work in practice, the tools to use to incorporate these values in our work and the impact this will have on the children and families we serve. This framework encourages us to be pro-active and to look for the strengths in ourselves and others. It also enables us to build positive relationships with our colleagues, our partners and most importantly, with the children and families with whom we work. We look forward to telling helping you learn more about Together should you join us. Benefits We know if you join us you want to be rewarded in a variety of ways, including time away from work to spend time with those important to you, manage your financial present and future, whilst also be trusted to manage your work/life balance. Therefore, in addition to our unique, holistic approach to supporting your health and wellbeing we also provide: Generous holidays 28 days holiday (including three for Christmas) rising to 33 days with five years continuous service, which could include your current employment. You can also buy more holiday or sell any you do not need. Excellent pension 19.4% employer contribution to Local Government Pension scheme, potentially building on your current pension. Flexible working Most colleagues work in a hybrid way, having the benefits of working both from the office and home, we also accommodate flexible working requests (e.g. 9-day fortnights). Exclusive discounts Generous discounts with wide range of companies covering leisure, technology, travel, personal finance, fashion and supermarkets. Professional fees Social work colleagues have their annual Social Work England membership fees reimbursed. Car leasing schemes We have our own scheme for colleagues that travel a significant number of business miles, as well as an open scheme through a third party. This list is just a selection of main benefits and we have a range of policies and processes that allow us to support our colleagues - and their families – and we look forward to providing you with further information about these in due course. Documents