County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

HR Assistant

The closing date is 26 January 2026

Job summary

We are looking for a well-organised, highly motivated person to join our Team as a Human Resources Assistant to support the HR Team to contribute to the provision of a comprehensive, pro-active HR service to managers and staff.

In addition to having the skills and expertise required for the core requirements of the role, we are looking for someone who shares our person-centred approach, works effectively within a busy team and has excellent communication skills. You will be supported by a friendly and knowledgeable team and this is an ideal opportunity if you wish to increase your experience of providing a Human Resources service and to gain experience within the NHS.

The Trust supports flexible working opportunities and, after a period of induction and training, working from home can be included. This is an agile role as, although the main base is at Darlington Memorial Hospital, we cover across a wide geographical area including the other main hospitals in Durham and Bishop Auckland.

Main duties of the job

You will act as the first point of contact for managers and staff providing timely HR advice and guidance as required on HR issues including: HR policies and procedures, terms and conditions of service; management of attendance; etc. ensuring compliance with current employment legislation.

A major focus of the role will be on assisting with absence management and we will develop, train and support you to assist our managers in this area.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have been employed for a minimum of two years of as a HCA within the NHS for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).

Date posted

12 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9439-2526-1305

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

Job description

Job responsibilities

To act as the first point of contact for managers and staff providing timely HR advice and guidance as required on HR issues for all staff (both medical and non-medical) including: HR policies and procedures, terms and conditions of service; management of attendance; ensuring compliance with current employment legislation.

To act as the first point of contact for managers and staff providing timely advice and guidance on W&OD compliance matters

With appropriate support from the HR Managers/Advisors provide effective advice and support to managers in the management of sickness absence and provide support to managers by attending sickness interviews as necessary.

With appropriate support from the HR Managers/Advisors assist in non-complex formal investigations.

To ensure all appropriate issues are escalated to HR Manager/Advisor when appropriate

To contribute to the development of appropriate HR policies and procedures. Contribute to reviewing HR policies, procedures and working practices

To assist HR Advisors/Managers with collation of document packs whether paper-based or electronic as necessary.

Maintain the prior consideration list and, on a weekly basis, check those on prior against vacancies and flag where there are potential suitable alternative employment opportunities and take action as appropriate including escalate where necessary.

To liaise with managers regarding the admin side of lapsed Registrations and ensure the appropriate HR representative is kept updated

To act as a central point of contact for all Data Subject Access Requests from employees/ex-employees, co-ordinate the collation of information from relevant parties, maintain a central register of requests, monitoring compliance with statutory timeframes and escalate breaches as appropriate along with redacting information.

Maintain a database of Internal/External Audits, and chase up outstanding actions as appropriate.

Maintain an up to date list of local Accredited Trade Union/Staff representatives and compose replies to routine correspondence relating to trade union enquiries and accreditation of union members.

To maintain the register of Local union representatives facility time activity. Assist the HR Compliance Business Partner with collation of data for Annual Reporting Submission

Assist with the production of the JCNC agendas and associated papers, ensuring they are issued in a timely manner. Attend the JCNC as note taker

To provide support to the HR team with regard to workforce planning initiatives.

Support the HR team with the implementation of ad-hoc projects as required

To provide an effective and high quality administrative support to the HR team.

Develop and maintain administration systems to aid the smooth running of the team.

Maintain paper-based and electronic filing systems.

To liaise and set up meetings as appropriate.

Work as part of the wider Workforce and Organisation Development Directorate both for service delivery and personal development.

Attending meetings and taking notes as required.

Support the delivery of the Trusts Human Resources Policy training programmes; organise training and other events, preparing materials as appropriate.

Work as part of a team to ensure the delivery of efficient and high quality HR services.

Any other duties commensurate with Band.