HR tips for the new term

It’s a new term, new faces, new opportunities and inevitably new challenges. Cathy Brearley, our Head of HR, has some useful advice for you:

At the start of the new academic year, there are lots of new faces in schools – new pupils, new parents, and, of course new staff.

Taking a bit of time to help new staff settle in will pay dividends in the long term. Make sure they are familiar with your ways of working and highlight key policies to them – especially those about behaviour management, your code of conduct, reporting absence and safeguarding. Introduce them to key people in school and ensure they know how, and to whom, they should report any safeguarding concerns.

You may well have some NQTs, and it is important that they are registered with an Appropriate Body and receive the necessary support and guidance as they establish themselves in the teaching profession.

Some new members of staff will be on probation, and you need to make appropriate arrangements for the probationary period. If, at a later date, you find that you have concerns about someone on probation, then be sure to address them promptly. You will find that talking to your HR provider will help you manage all the issues that can arise during probation.

And finally, make sure that all the pre- employment checks have been completed satisfactorily – DBS, medical checks, references, right to work and if appropriate disqualification under the childcare act. This may involve some chasing, but it is important to have all the details to meet your safer recruitment obligations.