Job summary

Are you passionate about making a difference? Do you thrive on solving complex HR challenges and driving organisational success? Then this role may be for you.

Deputy People Business Partner (Band 7) - Full Time (37.5 hours p/w)

Please note that this is a hybrid role with a frequent requirement to travel to AWP sites.

Although advertised as a 24-month fixed-term contract, it is hoped that the role will transition into a substantive permanent position at the end of the fixed-term period, subject to organisational requirements and approval.

At AWP Mental NHS Trust, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional Mental Health, Learning Disability, Autism, and Neurodiversity services while fostering a positive, inclusive, and values-driven culture. Our services plays a crucial role in supporting some of the most vulnerable individuals, and as part of our HR Business Partnering Team, you will be integral to shaping a fair, supportive, and engaged workforce for a named Division.

This role offers not only an opportunity to apply and develop your HR expertise but also a chance to contribute to a culture of learning, civility, respect, and restorative practice. Within AWP, we deal with complex casework, organisational change, and TUPE transfers, providing a rich environment for continuous professional growth and skill development.

Main duties of the job

As a Deputy People Business Partner, you will support both the Division and the wider People Business Partnering Team in delivering a proactive, high-quality HR service. You will be responsible for:Leading on employee relations casework, ensuring a just, fair, and restorative approach to workforce issues.Overseeing and line-managing Senior People Advisors, providing coaching and professional development opportunitiesDriving improvements in key workforce performance indicators (e.g., vacancy rates, attendance, staff engagement,retention, and wellbeing) through data analysis and targeted action plansSupporting the development of a high-performing, inclusive culture by delivering learning initiatives that embed best practicepeople management, civility, and respect.Contributing to and delivering workforce plans that align with the Trust's People Strategy, focusing on recruitment, retention,learning & development, and EDI initiatives.Partnering with the People Directorate to implement effective solutions for both transactional and strategic workforcechallenges.Leading HR projects as directed by the People Business Partner, taking ownership of specific initiatives that enhance the employeeexperience.

About us

We are the lead provider of healthcare for people with serious mental illness, learning disabilities and autism across Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), Swindon and Wiltshire, and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

We aim to provide High Quality, Compassionate Care everywhere, every day. This means our services will be safe, clinically effective and provide a positive all round experience for our patients, families and carers. And we believe passionately in treating everyone with kindness, respect and empathy.

Key to this is providing a supportive and safe environment for our 4,000 staff where we all feel welcome and able to do the best we can for those we support. Our staff and teams work incredibly hard delivering services across more than 90 locations, covering 2,200miles, to more than 1.8million people.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Details

Date posted

15 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

342-CS048-1026

Job locations

Bath NHS House

Newbridge Hill

Bath

BA1 3QE

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Business Partnering1) Oversee the HR interface with managers and staff in the Trust, providing HR advice and support on a range of workforce related issues, including resourcing and employee relations issues. 2) Undertake casework, taking a lead role when required, e.g. disciplinary hearings as appropriatewithin skillset. Appropriately identify and escalate risks as necessary, for example in particularly complex, sensitive or high profile/risk cases, suggesting possible courses of action. 3) Escalate any cases that may, or do result in employment tribunal proceedings, suggesting approaches to the management of claims. Support the PBP in the defence of employment tribunal claims including compilation of papers, liaising with solicitors, supporting witnesses etc.4) Maintain up to date knowledge of employment legislation, and ensuring policy and practice is up to date, CPD is maintained and seeking advice as required. 5) Support the management of change in AWP; promoting good practice in meaningful consultation and effective change management. Support tender and staff transfer (TUPE) exercises as required. 6) Engage in case reflection and learning as appropriate to ensure consistency and best practice across the Trust.

Workforce Planning & Reporting14) Support the PBP in the development of the AWP Workforce Plan and support implementation.15) Support the PBP to identify and implement new ways of working, workforce reconfiguration, role redesign, career pathways and use of development pathways such as apprenticeships. 16) Support the PBP to develop and analyse workforce information, including scorecard, staff-inpost, recruitment, vacancies, sickness absence, turnover, retention data, statutory and mandatory training, appraisal and supervision rates, employee relations data and soft intelligence, identifying areas of concern. 17) Support the PBP Team and local managers to develop local solutions to target improvements in workforce performance and/or manage risks, e.g. recruitment campaigns and retention programmes to support achievement of service delivery plans.

Recruitment & Retention18) Support the PBP to understand the root causes of resourcing issues.19) Support local recruiting managers to recruit and select effectively, providing them with support,guidance and coaching as required, designing and attending selection interviews / processes asnecessary.

Job description Job responsibilities Business Partnering1) Oversee the HR interface with managers and staff in the Trust, providing HR advice and support on a range of workforce related issues, including resourcing and employee relations issues. 2) Undertake casework, taking a lead role when required, e.g. disciplinary hearings as appropriatewithin skillset. Appropriately identify and escalate risks as necessary, for example in particularly complex, sensitive or high profile/risk cases, suggesting possible courses of action. 3) Escalate any cases that may, or do result in employment tribunal proceedings, suggesting approaches to the management of claims. Support the PBP in the defence of employment tribunal claims including compilation of papers, liaising with solicitors, supporting witnesses etc.4) Maintain up to date knowledge of employment legislation, and ensuring policy and practice is up to date, CPD is maintained and seeking advice as required. 5) Support the management of change in AWP; promoting good practice in meaningful consultation and effective change management. Support tender and staff transfer (TUPE) exercises as required. 6) Engage in case reflection and learning as appropriate to ensure consistency and best practice across the Trust. Workforce Planning & Reporting14) Support the PBP in the development of the AWP Workforce Plan and support implementation.15) Support the PBP to identify and implement new ways of working, workforce reconfiguration, role redesign, career pathways and use of development pathways such as apprenticeships. 16) Support the PBP to develop and analyse workforce information, including scorecard, staff-inpost, recruitment, vacancies, sickness absence, turnover, retention data, statutory and mandatory training, appraisal and supervision rates, employee relations data and soft intelligence, identifying areas of concern. 17) Support the PBP Team and local managers to develop local solutions to target improvements in workforce performance and/or manage risks, e.g. recruitment campaigns and retention programmes to support achievement of service delivery plans. Recruitment & Retention18) Support the PBP to understand the root causes of resourcing issues.19) Support local recruiting managers to recruit and select effectively, providing them with support,guidance and coaching as required, designing and attending selection interviews / processes asnecessary.

Person Specification

Experience and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities,

Essential

• Degree plus CIPD qualification level 7, masters-level qualification, significant commensurate experience in a senior HR role, CIPD qualified, or significant experience in an employee relations role
• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Current CIPD membership
• Experience of managing multiple complex, highly sensitive, contentious employee issues such as grievance, disciplinary, change management up to and including preparing cases for appeal.
• Demonstrates experience of working with operational colleagues in a business partner model: ?Influencing and negotiating skills ?Supporting delivery of HR strategy and local agenda ?Collaborative working including with union representatives ?Understanding of the business ?Drive for results and quality
• Experience of progressing cases and delivering work against timescales
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage a varied workload and conflicting deadlines through effectively prioritisation of self and the Senior People Advisor.
• Good understanding of EDI issues and commitment to delivering the Trust's objectives in a diverse work environment

Person Specification Experience and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, Essential Degree plus CIPD qualification level 7, masters-level qualification, significant commensurate experience in a senior HR role, CIPD qualified, or significant experience in an employee relations role Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Current CIPD membership Experience of managing multiple complex, highly sensitive, contentious employee issues such as grievance, disciplinary, change management up to and including preparing cases for appeal. Demonstrates experience of working with operational colleagues in a business partner model: ?Influencing and negotiating skills ?Supporting delivery of HR strategy and local agenda ?Collaborative working including with union representatives ?Understanding of the business ?Drive for results and quality Experience of progressing cases and delivering work against timescales Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage a varied workload and conflicting deadlines through effectively prioritisation of self and the Senior People Advisor. Good understanding of EDI issues and commitment to delivering the Trust's objectives in a diverse work environment

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Bath NHS House

Newbridge Hill

Bath

BA1 3QE

United Kingdom

Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Bath NHS House

Newbridge Hill

Bath

BA1 3QE

United Kingdom

Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)