HR Assistant

Haringey GP Federation; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional NHS trust is seeking a motivated HR Assistant to join their team. The role involves providing HR advice, managing absence, and supporting the HR Team in delivering a comprehensive service. Candidates should have strong communication skills, experience in HR or related fields, and should be able to work effectively under pressure. This position offers flexible work options including a hybrid model after training, an excellent opportunity for those looking to advance their HR knowledge within the NHS.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Friendly and supportive team

Training and development programs

Qualifications

• Experience of working in an HR Department.
• Experience of advising on terms and conditions of employment.
• Experience of taking accurate and comprehensive notes.
• Experience of dealing with HR issues such as absence management.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely HR advice to managers and staff.
• Assist with the management of sickness absence.
• Support the implementation of HR policies.
• Provide administrative support to the HR team.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Excel proficiency

Attention to detail

Education

4 GCSEs or equivalent including English Language

NVQ level 4 standard or equivalent experience

Certificate in People Practice/NVQ Level 3 in HR or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

HR Assistant

The closing date is 26 January 2026

We are looking for a well‑organised, highly motivated person to join our Team as a Human Resources Assistant to support the HR Team and contribute to the provision of a comprehensive, pro‑active HR service to managers and staff.

In addition to having the skills and expertise required for the core requirements of the role, we are looking for someone who shares our person‑centred approach, works effectively within a busy team and has excellent communication skills. You will be supported by a friendly and knowledgeable team and this is an ideal opportunity if you wish to increase your experience of providing a Human Resources service and to gain experience within the NHS.

The Trust supports flexible working opportunities and, after a period of induction and training, working from home can be included. This is an agile role as, although the main base is at Darlington Memorial Hospital, we cover across a wide geographical area including the other main hospitals in Durham and Bishop Auckland.

Main duties of the job

You will act as the first point of contact for managers and staff providing timely HR advice and guidance on HR issues such as HR policies and procedures, terms and conditions of service, management of attendance and other matters, ensuring compliance with current employment legislation.

A major focus of the role will be on assisting with absence management and we will develop, train and support you to assist our managers in this area.

Job responsibilities

• Provide timely HR advice and guidance to managers and staff on HR issues.
• Support the management of sickness absence and attend sickness interviews as required.
• Assist with non‑complex formal investigations.
• Escalate appropriate issues to HR Manager/Advisor.
• Contribute to the development, review and implementation of HR policies and procedures.
• Assist HR Advisors/Managers with the collation of document packs, both paper and electronic.
• Maintain, update and manage the prior consideration list and identify suitable alternative employment opportunities.
• Liaise with managers regarding the administrative side of lapsed registrations.
• Act as a central point of contact for all Data Subject Access Requests from employees/ex‑employees, coordinating collection of information, maintaining a central register and ensuring compliance with statutory timeframes.
• Maintain a database of internal and external audits and follow up outstanding actions.
• Maintain an up‑to‑date list of local accredited trade‑union or staff representatives and compose replies to routine correspondence.
• Assist the HR Compliance Business Partner with data collation for annual reporting submissions.
• Assist with the production of JCNC agendas and associated papers, and attend JCNC as a note‑taker.
• Provide support to the HR team with workforce planning initiatives.
• Support the implementation of ad‑hoc projects as required.
• Provide effective, high‑quality administrative support to the HR team.
• Develop and maintain administration systems to aid the smooth running of the team.
• Maintain paper‑based and electronic filing systems.
• Liaise and set up meetings as appropriate.
• Work with the wider Workforce and Organisation Development Directorate for service delivery and personal development.
• Attend meetings and take notes as required.
• Support the delivery of the Trust’s Human Resources policy training programmes; organise training and events, preparing materials as appropriate.
• Work as part of a team to ensure the delivery of efficient and high‑quality HR services.
• Any other duties commensurate with Band.

About us

We provide hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham – as well as a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and care from community hospitals in Chester‑Le‑Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale, and over 80 other community‑based settings and patients’ homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of working in an HR Department.
• Experience of advising on terms and conditions of employment.
• Experience of developing and using Excel spreadsheets.
• Experience of taking accurate and comprehensive notes.
• Experience of working in an NHS Human Resources Department.
• Experience of dealing with HR issues such as absence management.

Qualifications

• Good general education – minimum of 4 GCSEs or equivalent including English Language.
• Educated to NVQ level 4 standard or equivalent experience.
• Certificate in People Practice/NVQ Level 3 in HR or equivalent (or working towards).
• Evidence of continuous personal development – regular updates in employment legislation and other HR‑related matters.

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with a wide range of people from different backgrounds.
• Ability to prioritise work and work effectively under pressure.
• Good influencing skills.
• Tact and diplomacy in interactions with others.
• Good personal organisation and administrative skills.
• Knowledge of employment law and terms and conditions of service.
• Competent user of Microsoft/Computer products.
• Flexible and positive attitude to work.

Statutory Registration

• CIPD.

Special Requirements

• Able to travel independently across all Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post.

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust