HR and Legal Support

We recognise that the success of our schools depends on the strength, expertise and wellbeing of the people who work in them, and that supporting our colleagues is essential to supporting children.

Schools have access to HR and legal support through the trust, led by the Chief Operations Officer. This support focuses on helping schools manage workforce matters effectively, consistently and in line with current legislation and best practice. By drawing on shared expertise across the trust, we enable schools to respond confidently to both routine and complex staffing matters..

Our HR support includes advice on employment law, performance management, attendance management and guidance on terms and conditions of employment. Schools are supported through formal processes where required, ensuring fairness and compliance in line with Trust Policies. The trust also supports recruitment, retention, workforce planning, and the administration of contractual changes. Shared systems are in place for HR, payroll, pensions and DBS.

Where required, schools also have access to specialist legal advice through the trust, to support the management of complex or higher risk employment matters. This ensures that sensitive or challenging employment matters are managed appropriately, reducing risk whilst supporting positive outcomes for both staff and the organisation.

We place a strong emphasis on staff wellbeing which is supported through access to occupational health provision, employee support programmes and a range of guidance to support health, wellbeing and work-life balance.

Estates and Facilities

Schools benefit from access to estates and facilities support through the trust, providing practical guidance and assistance with the management of buildings, sites and statutory compliance. Support is flexible and responsive delivered through on site visits and remote contact, depending on need and circumstance.

This includes advice on condition and property funding, estates strategy and the completion of condition data collection, emergency planning and response, and the planning and delivery of repairs, maintenance and larger projects. Schools are supported with estates monitoring, site team processes, recruitment where appropriate, and budget planning linked to estates priorities. Assistance is also available in the event of plant or building failure, ensuring issues are managed promptly and appropriately in line with regulatory requirements.

Health and Safety

Health and safety support forms a core part of estates provision. Schools have access to guidance and oversight on statutory compliance, audits and risk management and safe working practices. This includes support with regular audits accident reporting and investigation, asbestos management, fire safety and health and safety inductions. Policy guidance is provided to ensure consistent and compliant practice across the trust and to help schools maintain safe, well-managed environments for staff, pupils and visitors.

GDPR

Support is also available in relation to GDPR and data protection. This includes guidance on policies and privacy notices, ICO registration, access to data protection officer support, audits and training. Schools are also provided with advice on managing data breaches and responding to subject access requests. Each school has a Data Protection Lead with access to a Data Protection Officer through the Central Team, ensuring consistent oversight, expert advice and compliance with data protection across the Trust.

IT

The Trust provide support for IT through a contract with a third party. Schools receive advice, technical support and procurement help. Support and protection from cyber attacks is organised centrally including cyber response planning and audits to check preparedness for attacks.