HR Business Partner

Human Resources Business Partner – Residential Care Sector – Regional Location

Are you an experienced HR professional with a passion for social care, healthcare, or education? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Human Resources Business Partner to join a small but growing children’s residential care organisation. This role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children, working within a supportive environment that values compliance, culture, and staff development.

Position Overview

The HR Business Partner will act as a strategic advisor and hands-on practitioner, working closely with home managers and senior leadership. The role involves overseeing recruitment, employee relations, Ofsted and regulator compliance, and staff training. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in safer recruitment practices, employment law, and social care legislation, with the ability to develop HR policies tailored to the Children’s Homes Regulations (England) or regional equivalent.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end recruitment process, ensuring adherence to Safer Recruitment guidelines, including DBS checks and employment gap assessments.
• Develop local employer branding strategies to attract high-calibre Residential Support Workers and Registered Managers in a competitive market.
• Support managers with complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, and performance issues.
• Implement initiatives to improve staff retention through engagement initiatives, recognition programmes, and culture-building activities.
• Maintain compliance with Ofsted standards by keeping the Single Central Record (SCR) audit-ready, and ensuring all staff files are up-to-date and accessible.
• Draft, update, and implement HR policies aligned with regulatory requirements and best practice within social care.
• Oversee mandatory training schedules such as Safeguarding, First Aid, and Restraint, ensuring 100% compliance.
• Identify and nurture internal talent for future leadership roles, including Deputy and Home Manager positions.

Experience & Knowledge

• 3 to 5 years’ experience in a generalist HR role, preferably within social care, healthcare, or education.
• Strong understanding of Safer Recruitment processes and Children’s Homes Regulations (or regional equivalents).
• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent experience in a regulated environment.
• High emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to manage sensitive employee situations with professionalism.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance, staff safeguarding, and Ofsted standards.

Why Join This Organisation?

This is a unique opportunity for HR professionals seeking to influence a small organisation directly. You will have the autonomy to develop the HR function, work closely with leadership, and witness the tangible impact of your work on children’s lives. The role provides excellent visibility and the chance to shape organisational culture in a meaningful way.

Job Details

• Job Title: Human Resources Business Partner
• Location: Regional / Head Office 
• Employment Type: Full-time

Key Performance Indicators

• Time to fill vacancies within 45 days
• 100% compliance rate for audit-ready SCR and staff files
• Staff turnover below industry average of 30%
• Over 95% completion rate for mandatory training modules

Vetro Recruitment acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Vetro is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merit alone.