Job Overview

Regional HR Manager

Location: Southampton (with regular travel across Hampshire, Dorset and Bristol)

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Sportfit Support Services is a bespoke residential, education and supported accommodation provider dedicated to delivering support to vulnerable children and young people. Our services include a residential children's home, an independent school, alternative provision centres and supported accommodation homes across Hampshire and Dorset. You will also support our sister company, Premier Care Management, based in Bristol.

We are seeking an experienced, hands‑on Regional HR Manager to deliver high‑quality, operational HR support across multiple services. This role is busy, people‑focused and central to ensuring consistent HR practice, strong employee relations and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Operational HR Support

• Deliver a full range of operational HR services across the region.
• Manage a busy caseload of complex employee relations matters including disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability and conduct.
• Provide timely, practical HR advice to managers to resolve issues quickly and fairly.
• Coach managers on handling day‑to‑day HR concerns and informal employee issues.
• Attend services regularly to support meetings, conduct investigations and provide on‑site HR support.

Regional HR Leadership & Site Support

• Support HR teams across the region to ensure consistency in HR processes and documentation.
• Build strong relationships with Headteachers, Registered Managers, senior leaders and operational teams.
• Ensure each service follows consistent workforce practices and HR standards.
• Provide guidance on safe staffing levels, workforce planning and service-specific HR challenges.

Recruitment, Safer Recruitment & Workforce Planning

• Lead operational recruitment and ensure timely onboarding of staff across all services.
• Oversee safer recruitment processes, file audits and compliance with Ofsted/ISI requirements.
• Support managers with workforce planning, shift patterns, staffing challenges.

Compliance, Safeguarding & Inspection Readiness

• Ensure HR compliance across all sites, including safer recruitment, right‑to‑work checks, training compliance and personnel files.
• Conduct regular HR audits to ensure inspection readiness for Ofsted, ISI or other regulators.
• Support the management of allegations or safeguarding concerns in line with policy and statutory guidance.

HR Policy, Processes & Change Support

• Lead updates and reviews of HR policies to ensure legal compliance and organisational alignment.
• Support organisational changes, restructures and reorganisation processes with clear, operational guidance.
• Support managers with consultation processes and workforce communication.

Performance, Training & Staff Development

• Support managers with performance reviews, probation processes and improvement plans.
• Oversee mandatory training compliance across the all services
• Support induction processes and ensure new employees receive effective onboarding.

Culture, Engagement & Wellbeing

• Promote a positive working culture across all services.
• Implement local wellbeing initiatives, staff engagement activities and retention efforts.
• Use staff feedback and survey data to help managers create action plans for improvement.

HR Data, Reporting & Systems

• Produce monthly HR reports, including absence data, ER activity and staffing updates for the board.
• Identify trends and risks through HR data and support proactive planning.
• Ensure accurate and consistent use of HR systems across all locations, supporting local administrators where needed.
• Maintain strong audit trails of HR activity, decisions and casework.

Skills and Experience

• At least 3-5 years' experience in a management‑level HR role, leading HR operations and supporting managers across multiple sites or services.
• Proven experience in a busy generalist HR function, with confidence managing complex and sensitive employee relations casework independently.
• Experience working in a regulated sector, ideally Ofsted, with strong understanding of safer recruitment, inspection frameworks and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience coaching and supporting managers at all levels with day‑to‑day HR matters.
• In‑depth knowledge of UK employment law, HR best practice, and data protection requirements (GDPR).
• Skilled in balancing operational demands with commercial decision‑making in a busy environment.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing and conflict‑resolution skills, with the ability to build credible and trusted relationships.
• CIPD Level 7 or a postgraduate HR qualification.
• A full UK driving licence is required for this role, along with a willingness to use your own vehicle for business purposes, supported by appropriate business insurance.

Why You'll Love Working With Us

• Competitive salary and life assurance, critical illness and cash health back schemes
• Staff referral scheme
• Supportive colleagues and a collaborative community committed to continuous improvement