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Job summary

Main area
Human Resources / People and Culture
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday)
Job ref
346-CORP-061-24
Employer
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Flatts Lane Centre
Town
Normanby
Salary
£35,392 - £42,618 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
21/05/2024 23:59
Interview date
30/05/2024

Employer heading

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust logo

HR Manager - Long Term Sickness Absence Manager

NHS AfC: Band 6

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care —our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won’t rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Job overview

This post will be responsible for a caseload of staff who are on long term sickness absence.  The role will manage long term sickness absence cases in an effective and consistent manner in line with trust policies and procedures and to provide evidence of improvements in sickness absence rates and management. To provide specialist advice to managers regarding the management of long term absence trust-wide.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will deal with highly sensitive and complex issues in all aspects of the role, using their judgement, discretion and initiative, to seek advice from the Team Manager where appropriate.

As sickness absence specialist the postholder will act as the first point of contact for line managers with members of staff absent on long term sick, responding to enquiries from managers and staff relating to the management of long term sickness absence, requiring the consideration of a range of information, to analyse data and consider all options.  The post holder will be required to analyse complex issues relating to long term sickness and make decisions on how to progress on a case by case basis.

To liaise with staff absent from work due to long term sickness, maintaining frequent contact to see how they are and if there is any support the trust can put in place.  Arranging regular contact, occupational health referrals and meetings and updating records accordingly. 

 

Working for our organisation

This 12 months fixed term role forms part of a small team of 3 staff working in the Sickness Absence Manager team.  This team is  part of the wider Health and Wellbeing team and will work closely with our Employee Support Service, Employee Psychology Service, the Reasonable Adjustments Team and our outsourced Occupational Health and Physiotherapy Service to provide a comprehensive support and advisory package for staff and managers.

We are committing to the health and wellbeing of our staff and particularly supporting staff whilst absence from work, helping them return to work as soon as possible,  and ensuring they are aware of and able to access a range of support both within the Trust and externally.  The team ensure a consistent and effective approach to the management of staff who are absent on a long term basis.   They liaise closely with managers and have established good working relationships across the Trust.  Each Long Term Sickness Manager will be responsible a specific area.

The role is autonomous and allows for a level of flexibility in how you manage your diary.  Contact with staff is carried out virtually in the main but there is a requirement for face to face meetings and attendance at work site at least 2 days per week.  The team regularly meet for case management reviews on a face to face basis and have established communications mechanisms in place for virtual contact  in between the face to face to contact.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

This post will be responsible for a caseload of staff who are on long term sickness absence.  The role will manage long term sickness absence cases in an effective and consistent manner in line with trust policies and procedures and to provide evidence of improvements in sickness absence rates and management. To provide specialist advice to managers regarding the management of long term absence trust-wide. 

We welcome potential applicants contacting us to discuss the role. If you would wish to have an informal video  / telephone call, you can also speak with Laura Swalwell, Long Term Sickness Absence Manager on the following contact details: 

Tel: 07818 065216

E:mail [email protected]

Person specification

Qualifications/Experience/Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Educated to degree level in a relevant subject.
  • - Or in the absence of (the above qualification) the candidate must be willing to work towards within (given timeframe) and also have the following experience
  • Knowledge of a range of Workforce related topics acquired through a relevant degree or equivalent qualification/experience to that of a degree level such as
  • Substantial experience in a range of HR or related roles.
  • Knowledge of specialist HR topic i.e management of sickness absence.
  • Working knowledge and experience of the understanding the Equality Act in particular Reasonable Adjustments
  • Willingness to undertake within 2 years master’s degree in HR if equivalent qualification not already held.
  • Up to date knowledge of and evidence of applying employment law and HR policies and procedures.
  • Membership of CIPD

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to influence and mediate in conflict situations.
  • Ability to communicate sensitively and demonstrate empathy

Employer certification / accreditation badges

We are a Living Wage EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employer

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Helen Cooke
Job title
Strategic Lead for Health and Wellbeing
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07464 493351
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