Job summary
We are looking for experienced and compassionate HR professionals (Full time and part time available) to join our HR Advisory Team, providing high quality advice and support to managers across the Trust.
You will be a key point of contact for a range of HR and employee relations matters, with a particular focus on complex long and short term absence, flexible working, performance and redeployment. You will provide clear, practical advice in line with employment legislation, Trust policies and best practice, while supporting our commitment to a Restorative, Just and Learning Culture.
You will build strong relationships with managers and colleagues, helping them develop their confidence and skills in managing people effectively. You will also contribute to policy and process development, training, reporting and wider HR projects.
This is a varied role where you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to how we support our people and help managers provide compassionate and effective leadership.
Main duties of the job
Youll provide day to day HR advice to managers across the Trust, helping them manage a range of people matters confidently and fairly. This will include advising on complex long term absence cases, flexible working requests, performance concerns and redeployment, as well as supporting managers with meetings and difficult conversations.
Youll spend time working directly with managers to understand issues, consider the options and agree practical next steps. Youll also provide coaching and training to build managers confidence, organise and support formal meetings, prepare advice and documentation, and keep case records and workforce information up to date.
Alongside your ongoing absence casework, youll contribute to reviewing and updating HR policies and guidance, producing reports, supporting HR projects and identifying ways we can improve the service we provide to managers and staff.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Details
- Date posted: 03 September 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 5
- Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
- Contract: Fixed term
- Duration: 12 months
- Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
- Reference number: C9369-26-0667
- Job locations: Wonford House, Dryden Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5AF, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
To work as part of the HR Advisory Team to deliver high quality advice and guidance to managers in line with our policies, employment legislation, values and best practice.
Full job description attached.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrate a range of generalist HR knowledge and experience
- Experience of interpreting and advising on terms and conditions, policies and procedures
- Experience of providing advice and support to managers on HR related concerns including absence management, disciplinary, grievance.
- Up to date knowledge of employment legislation and good employment practice.
- Experience of using Microsoft Excel or similar to provide reports or to interpret data
Desirable
- NHS or public sector experience
- Experience of using NHS systems including Electronic Staff Record
- Knowledge of the NHS Terms and Conditions Handbook
- Experience of employee relations gained within a unionised environment
- Experience of using and extracting information from HR Databases
Communication
Essential
- Effective verbal and written communication and influencing skills
- Effective presentation and organisational skills
- Able to communicate information to staff at all levels of the organisation
- Able to deliver training on HR policies and procedures
- Able to maintain confidentiality and deal with situations in a sensitive manner
- Able to understand the HR issues arising from operational management issues and advise managers appropriately and persuasively on the course of action they should take.
Qualifications
Essential
- Associate Diploma in People Management (Level 5) or equivalent qualification or equivalent level of experience
- Affiliate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
- Demonstration of Continued Professional Development
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
Essential
- Ability to work on own initiative and have the ability to problem solve
- Ability to work to meet conflicting deadlines
- Sound decision making skills
Desirable
- Report writing skills and ability to analyse data
Planning and Organisational Skills
Essential
- Ability to organise and prioritise own work and work of others effectively when dealing with constant interruptions
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for HR Advisor with Devon Partnership NHS Trust in Wonford House (Trust Headquarters). It is listed as a Band 5 Human resources advisor role. The advertised salary is £32073.00 to £39043.00. The contract type is Fixed-Term. The application deadline is 20 Sep 2026.
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