People Advisor - Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust

Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust is looking to appoint a dynamic, driven People Advisor who is passionate about supporting employees in all matters relating to their employment. Working in a small central based team, this role requires excellent attention to detail and the ability to remain impartial whilst advising all stakeholders on Trust Policies and Employment Law. Some basic experience in this field is preferred, but we are also keen to help the right person develop basic skills and understanding to be an outstanding member of the team.

Full training will be provided, and legal support is always available for complex matters.

This role is working in a small team within the People and Payroll department of the Trust based at Wardhayes, Okehampton, however travel between schools will be required, so driving license and access to transport is essential for this role.

Our Trust comprises of 19 schools, 3 Colleges, 15 Primaries, and one All Through SEMH Special school. Established in 2018. We are situated in beautiful Devon on the out the outskirts of the stunning Dartmoor National Park. The schools vary in size and are all unique. Our schools are a large part of their local communities, and we value those relationships with families and locals.

The Trust was created to enable schools and staff to work closely together in providing the best education possible for our children. We achieve this through meaningful collaboration both within our schools and beyond our Trust to ensure schools are able to secure and sustain improvement.

Our work is built on our shared values and an unwavering belief that education improves the life chances for the children in our care. We aim for everyone in our organisation, staff and children, to be the best they can be and are relentless in our ambition to achieve this. We want our children to look back on their school experience with a sense of achievement and joy and we provide a wealth of additional curriculum experiences to enrich their learning.

We care deeply about the children in our schools and work with kindness, compassion, manners and respect. By modelling and expecting these behaviours from our children, we aim to grow future citizens who will positively contribute to society, creating a brighter future for our world.

Why choose DMAT?

Our vision and values are what we build our schools upon, with Ambition, Co-operation & Transformation being at the heart.

As an established Trust, DMAT can offer a wide range of benefits for our employees:

• Cycle to work scheme
• Tech Scheme
• Eyecare Vouchers
• Access to Discounts
• CPD opportunities
• Extensive Health & Wellbeing Package
• Long Service Days
• On site Parking – In some locations
• Excellent Training Package
• Employee Recognition Scheme

DMAT are an inclusive and forward-looking trust, who seek to nurture our children and employees to be the best they can be.

The role will be based at Wardhayes, Okehampton, but it is expected there will be occasional travel to other Trust educational settings and offices.

Role and Responsibilities:

Employee Relations

• Act as a trusted advisor, providing accurate guidance on all employee relation matters.
• Ensure compliance with and advise in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
• Build positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including Employees, Leadership and Trustees, when appropriate.
• Mediate and resolve conflicts, whilst maintaining a collaborative and respectful work environment.
• Maintain highest levels of confidentiality.
• Act with compassion and maintain balanced, impartial views.

Operational HR

Support School Leaders/Line Managers with staff attendance, in line with trust policies and procedures, including support and guidance to line managers in conducting absence meetings as and when required.

Support and advise employees on all matters relating to:

• Disciplinary
• Capability
• Grievance issues
• Performance Management
• Whistleblowing
• Absence
• Flexible Working
• Maternity/Paternity/Adoption etc

Contract management - amend contract templates with any legal or Trust changes, as and when applicable.

Resolve queries via People Team Ticketing system.

Maintain high quality and accuracy of all HR databases and personnel records. Ensuring accurate input of data, retention of information in line with GDPR.

Apply HR and business knowledge evidencing appropriate decision-making skills.

Ensure employment law is followed throughout the Trust and liaise with the legal team where necessary.

To provide information, advice and guidance to leaders and Principals, advising on the HR policies and procedures where appropriate.

Recruitment

• Support, when necessary, with Recruitment and selection checks in line with Safer Recruitment.
• Have basic understanding of employment law in relation to contracts of employment.
• To support Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) in monitoring of the Trust Single Central Records (SCR).
• Proof-read and check employment contracts before release.

Policy Development and Compliance

• Stay up to date with employment laws and regulations ensuring compliance.
• Review and develop HR policies in conjunction with People Manger to align with legal requirements and Trust goals.
• Maintain accurate letter templates and HR forms.

Health & Wellbeing

• Respond to employees and line managers regarding employment benefits and ensure accurate record keeping.
• Advocate for staff health and wellbeing across the Trust.
• Advertise and Maintain staff awareness of wellbeing benefits such as SAS.
• Advise and support leaders and staff with all matters relating to Occupational Health referrals.

Data Management

• Maintain accurate records and ensure confidentiality of employee information.
• Generate reports (e.g. Absence data) and analytics to support decision making.

Other Duties:

• Demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside of work.
• Treat all pupils with dignity, observe proper boundaries and understand that every adult in the Trust has a responsibility to safeguard children and young people.
• To continue personal professional development as required.
• Attend staff and other meetings and participate in staff training and development events as required.
• To actively engage in the performance review process.
• All support staff may be used to perform appropriate duties as and when required by the Trust, commensurate with the salary grade of that post if it is higher than the employee’s current salary.
• To work in the best interests of the Trust, pupils, parents, and staff.
• To adhere to the Trust’s policies and procedures.
• To work flexibly, and to travel, as required, to meet the needs of the role.
• To work at locations across the Trust, as required.

You may be required to carry out any other duties within your capacity which the employer may reasonably require.

Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified. Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

This job description is current at the date shown but, in consultation with you, may be changed by the Line Manager to reflect or anticipate changes in the job commensurate with the grade and job title.

Person Specification:

Qualifications and Experience

• Proven experience as a People Advisor or in a similar role - Essential
• 5 or more GCSE’s at grade C or above, including English and Maths (or equivalent) - Essential
• CIPD Level 5 qualified or working towards qualification - Desirable
• Evidence of experience in a similar, relevant HR role within the Academy Sector - Desirable
• Experience of working in a Trust or Education sector - Desirable

Skills, Knowledge & Capability

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - Essential
• Excellent computer literacy, including Excel, Word, Outlook and other Microsoft Office applications - Essential
• Outstanding verbal and written abilities - Essential
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion - Essential
• Be a proactive team player with strong customer service and problem solving skills - Essential
• Experience of working to deadlines - Essential
• The ability to work independently and well under pressure - Essential
• Experience on how to conduct and take notes of formal meetings, in line with the principles and practices of people management - Essential
• Confident to manage meetings with stakeholders and hold difficult conversations as and when required - Essential
• Possess excellent administrative skills, accuracy and attention to detail - Essential
• Experience of using databases or CRM systems (Arbor/Every) to effective use - Desirable
• Knowledge of current and relevant employment legislation - Desirable
• Innovative approaches to developing HR systems and procedures - Desirable

Personal Attributes

• Commitment to the highest standards of child protection - Essential
• Commitment to equal opportunities – and to upholding the school values - Essential
• Approachable and friendly persona - Essential

Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds to apply

All schools in The Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment

The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS).

How to Apply:

Visit our website: - www.dartmoormat.org.uk to apply for this position.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

‘This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974.’

Your application form will be processed by My New Term who act for DMAT as a data processor- please see our Privacy Notice for more information about how we process job applicant personal data.

The successful candidate will be required to come to DMAT HQ to complete mandatory training.

Training Details:

Location: Central Head Office (Wardhayes) 9 Simmons Way, Okehampton, EX20 1PY

Purpose: To provide comprehensive training on company policies, procedures, and systems necessary for successful integration into the role.

Training Schedule: Daily sessions from 9am to 4pm, with breaks provided.

Benefits of Training Week:
To gain valuable insights into our company culture and values.

Interact with key stakeholders and team members.

Acquire essential knowledge and skills to excel in your role.

Establish a strong foundation for your career growth within Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From £26,357.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Okehampton EX20 1PU: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• Human resources: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 25/08/2025