Head of People & Process

Job Description and Person Specification

Job Title – Head of People and Process

Salary Scale – £46,350 pro rata

Hours -37.5

Responsible to – CEO

Base – Unit J3, Duchess Avenue, Kingmoor Park North, Carlisle CA6 4SN

Purpose of the job

The Head of People and Process is responsible for ensuring Carlisle Mencap’s people, office and training functions operate efficiently, compliantly and in line with the organisation’s values.

The role provides day-to-day leadership for HR administration, people processes, and office systems, working closely with an external HR consultancy on specialist advice, employment law compliance and complex casework.

The postholder plays a key role in creating a well-organised, supportive and inclusive workplace, enabling managers and staff to focus on delivering high-quality services to people with learning disabilities and their families.

The postholder will also lead the organisation’s internal training function, ensuring all staff receive high-quality induction and ongoing development opportunities, and will oversee the maintenance and development of relevant training accreditations, including City & Guilds.

Key Responsibilities

1.             People Management (Operational)

·         Act as the organisation’s internal lead for day-to-day HR operations, policies and procedures.

·         Manage the full employee lifecycle including recruitment, contracts, probation, appraisal, absence and leavers.

·         Maintain accurate HR records and ensure GDPR compliance.

·         Support managers with HR matters, escalating to external HR consultancy where required.

·         Coordinate disciplinary, grievance and consultation processes with external support.

·         Oversee mandatory training and compliance checks.

·         Note: This role does not provide legal HR advice and does not manage payroll processing.

·         Lead and coordinate the organisation’s internal training function, including planning, delivery and evaluation of staff induction and ongoing training programmes.

·         Lead the training team to ensure all staff complete mandatory induction and refresher training in line with regulatory, contractual and organisational requirements.

·         Maintain accurate training records and monitor compliance with required training standards.

·         Identify training needs across the organisation and work with managers to develop appropriate learning and development opportunities.

2.            HR Policy, Compliance and Best Practice

·         Ensure policies are up to date and consistently applied.

·         Work with external HR advisors to respond to changes in employment law.

·         Support HR reporting to Trustees.

·         Embed equality, diversity and inclusion across all people processes.

·         Ensure safeguarding is reflected in HR practices.

3.      Training and Workforce Development

·         Develop and implement a structured induction programme for all new staff.

·         Oversee the planning, coordination and quality assurance of ongoing staff training and development.

·         Act as organisational lead for training accreditation, including maintaining and developing City & Guilds accreditation (or equivalent).

·         Ensure training provision meets the standards required by awarding bodies, regulators and commissioners.

·         Liaise with internal and external trainers, partners and awarding organisations as required.

·         Support the development of a skilled, confident and competent workforce aligned to organisational values and service needs.

4.      Office Management and Administration

·         Lead day-to-day office operations.

·         Line manage the Office Administrator.

·         Oversee administrative systems and processes.

·         Manage office contracts including premises, equipment and suppliers.

·         Ensure effective document management and compliance.

·         Act as organisational lead for GDPR compliance, working with external advisors where required, supporting the Data Protection Officer.

·         Support organisational H&S checks and planning.

5.      Cross-Organisational Support

·         Work with the Head of Finance to provide HR data for payroll.

·         Support workforce planning and organisational reporting.

·         Support audits and inspections.

·         Act as a key HR contact for staff.

6.      Culture, Values and Ways of Working

·         Promote a positive and inclusive organisational culture.

·         Ensure fair and consistent treatment of staff.

·         Model organisational values.

·         Support staff engagement and wellbeing.

7.      Any other tasks conducive to the safe, efficient and sustainable running of Carlisle MENCAP

Essential Experience Required.

•       At least 5 years’ experience in an organisation of similar size and complexity

•       Writing tenders and grant applications

•     Developing and maintaining strong professional networks

•   Experience in HR or office management role

•     Supporting managers with HR processes

• Line management experience

Desirable Experience 

•         Charity or social care experience

•          Working with external HR advisors

•          Relevant HR qualification (e.g. CIPD)

•          Experience of managing or coordinating staff training programmes

•          Experience working with accredited training bodies or maintaining organisational accreditation (e.g. City & Guilds)

Essential Skills 

•          Strong organisational and administrative skills

•          Effective people management skills

•          Strong communication skills

•          Ability to apply HR policies consistently

• IT proficiency (Microsoft Office)

Desirable Skills

• Experience improving HR/admin systems

•           Report writing skills

Essential Knowledge

•          An understanding of the issues facing people with learning disabilities and their families and carers

•          Understanding of the third sector and the specific pressures and requirements on third sector organisations

•          HR administration practices

•          Data protection and confidentiality

•          Equality, diversity and inclusion principles

Desirable Knowledge

•          Knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework governing care sector organisations, including the Care Standards Act 2000, Health & Social Care Act 2012 (Registration Requirements) and the Care Act 2014

•          Understanding of the social care sector and policies

•          UK employment law awareness

•          Safeguarding knowledge

• Understanding of training frameworks, workforce development and accredited learning programmes (e.g. City & Guilds)

In addition to these, the role will have a strong commitment to:

• Improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and their families and carers

• Improving support for people with learning disabilities and their families and carers

• Empowering our members and service users

• Creating a supportive and inclusive organisation

Consistently identifying and developing ways to make the organisation better, and to deliver better outcomes for people with learning disabilities and their families and carers

Closing Date for applications - 8/06/2026 5pm