People Business Partner

Job summary

Working Days : Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

ABL Health Ltd seek an experienced People Business Partner to work with managers in Mental Health and Central services to develop and implement a proactive people strategy. The role advises managers on best People Management practice, supports HR systems, policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance and best practice, and contributes to culture, values, reward and recognition, retention, learning and development, and employee engagement. Taking guidance from the Head of People when required, you will provide professional advice on complex and sensitive employee relations, resourcing and planning issues.

This is a key strategic role within ABLs People and Culture team, offering the opportunity to shape and implement a forward-thinking people strategy that drives organisational success. You will translate ABLs People Strategic Plans into action, work with managers across the organisation to ensure their teams are supported, engaged, and performing at their best. You will provide high-quality, specialist advice on a range of people matters including employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and compliance with employment legislation. You will lead on embedding ABLs values, champion equality, diversity and inclusion, and support employee wellbeing and engagement initiatives. The role involves developing people-related KPIs, monitoring performance, and driving continuous improvement across HR processes and service delivery. You will also contribute to key people projects such as employee engagement, reward and recognition, and systems improvement, while deputising for the Head of People and Culture when required. This is an ideal role for someone with a strong HR background, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to influence at all levels to help ABL become an employer of choice.

About us

ABL is an exciting, fast paced, growing community health organisation. As an experienced, CQC registered provider of community health services, we are passionate about delivering evidence based, innovative, effective and relevant healthcare services in partnership with individuals, communities and stakeholders.

We do this through our ambitious purpose, vision and core values.

Date posted: 09 September 2025

Pay scheme: Other

Salary: £40,000 to £45,000 a year Pro rata part time

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number: E0343-25-0016abl765d

Job locations: 71 Redgate Way, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 0JL

Employer: ABL Health Ltd

Address: 71 Redgate Way, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 0JL

Employer's website: https://www.ablhealth.co.uk/work-for-us/join-our-team/ (Opens in a new tab)

Strategy Implementation

• Contribute to the development of innovative, ambitious and comprehensive People Strategic Plans, informed by meaningful consultation with senior managers and employee feedback.
• Effectively implement the objectives set out in those plans, working closely with other members of the People team and operational managers. Monitor progress and outcomes and ensure the Head of People is kept updated.
• Work collaboratively with other managers to develop and deliver broader corporate strategy and projects, in accordance with business plan objectives.
• Remain up to date and fully aware of developments in Employment Law and People Management best practice and ensure these are reflected in the delivery of People Strategic Plans.
• Deputise for the Head of People and Culture when required.

Business Partnering

• Work proactively in partnership with operational managers to ensure the divisions get the very best from their people resources by identifying and implementing People plans which support and enable successful delivery of operational objectives and achievement of business targets.
• Anticipate the impact of changes on the division and develop effective People solutions which bring about change in a way that supports the right outcome. This may include application of the Handling Change Protocol to secure cost-effective outcomes and mitigation of business risk.
• Provide and interpret KPI information to assess performance and drive service improvement.
• Identify and take forward People initiatives ensuring that high standards and objectives are met.
• Coach, mentor and challenge managers in the effective application of People policies and practices which engage employees, address issues and build capability.
• Contribute to the development of operational plans including reviewing resourcing needs and skills mix.
• Fully understand the composition of the divisional teams to ensure that HR policies and initiatives are appropriately applied.
• Seek feedback from managers on the effectiveness of the Business Partnering approach and work with the Head of People to continuously improve service delivery.
• Cover in the absence of other People Business Partners when required.

Performance and Capacity

• Ensure quality PDRs and one-to-ones are carried out by managers for all team members and that identified actions, including personal development plans, are addressed. Carry out PDRs for direct reports in the People and Culture team.
• Work with managers to review performance, identify barriers and put plans in place to address them.
• Challenge areas of poor People practice and report unresolved issues to the Head of People and Culture.
• Develop and implement plans to improve performance and service delivery to achieve positive outcomes, quality, and targets.
• Provide narrative and recommendations on People KPI reports, identifying trends, risk and issues for urgent attention.
• Review People resource allocation and skills mix, and collaborate with managers to implement new ways of working.
• Identify resourcing and recruitment issues and work with managers and Internal Recruiter to support recruitment and retention.

Culture and Values

• Embed core values across People activities and ensure managers model these values.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives and ensure employee voices are heard and acted upon.
• Lead employee surveys, interpret results and drive improvements in people outcomes and retention.
• Address exit interview feedback to drive improvement.

Employee Relations

• Provide complex specialist advice on sickness absence, with a view to maximising attendance.
• Advise on issues including TUPE, discipline, grievance, bullying and harassment, and discrimination; coordinate with Head of People and Culture as needed.
• Develop and implement People policies and procedures; maintain good employment practice.
• Lead People input for investigations, disciplinary, grievance, and capability hearings; advise on process and keep records.
• Provide timely advice on terms and conditions of employment and compliance with employment law and policies.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Deliver EDI actions to embed inclusion in people management and service delivery.
• Ensure safeguarding culture is embedded across the business.
• Support employees, including those with protected characteristics, in development and progression.
• Lead on employee health and wellbeing initiatives as appropriate.

Learning and Development

• Develop innovative plans to grow ABL as a learning organisation; assess learning needs and implement effective programmes.
• Manage risk through mandatory training including safeguarding and health and safety.
• Implement appraisal and personal development support processes to help team members reach their potential.
• Ensure onboarding and induction support retention efforts.
• Develop and deliver manager-focused training.

People Projects

• Lead on People projects as directed by the Head of People and Culture.
• Lead on one or more specialisms: employee relations, EDI, reward/recognition and retention, employee engagement, systems, or metrics.

General Requirements:

• Contribute positively and work in accordance with ABLs culture, values, aims and objectives
• Meet the requirements of this job description with diligence
• Continuously seek to improve to achieve high quality standards
• Participate in events, meetings and training as required
• Participate in one-to-ones and appraisals
• Adhere to policies, safeguarding and data protection requirements
• Support equality, diversity and inclusion and challenge discrimination
• Be flexible and undertake other duties as required

Essential

• Professional CIPD level 7 qualification or commitment to achieving within agreed timescale

Desirable

• Degree level qualification
• Management qualification

Essential

• Substantial operational People/HR experience post qualification
• Delivering advice on complex people issues
• Developing and implementing innovative people plans
• Setting and achieving deadlines and managing multiple tasks
• Implementing change and delivering employee engagement programmes
• Building people management competence and capability
• Workforce planning and analysing KPIs
• Working within a Business Partnering ethos
• Collaborating with colleagues on People issues

Desirable

• Partnership experience including unions and professional bodies
• Experience in a health care setting

Employer name: ABL Health Ltd

Address: 71 Redgate Way, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 0JL

Employer's website: https://www.ablhealth.co.uk/work-for-us/join-our-team/