HR Assistant

Context

Childhood First enables children and young people to recover from early life abuse and relational trauma, enjoy life and achieve their potential. We do this through the provision of specialist therapeutic residential care and treatment, together with family and network support.

We are also a UKCP Training Organisational Member accredited with Middlesex University, providing in-house clinical training to our clinical staff.

The HR Assistant will join our supportive HR team and provide efficient, proactive administrative support across a broad range of HR processes and activities within Childhood First.

Purpose

Reporting to the Head of HR, the HR Assistant will provide dependable administrative and operational support across the employee lifecycle, helping the HR team deliver an efficient, responsive and compliant service to colleagues across Childhood First.

The role will help ensure candidates and employees receive a professional and well-organised HR service, while supporting the effective operation of the wider HR function.

What you’ll bring to the role

• • Organised and systematic approach to work with excellent attention to detail.
  • Ability to collaborate with colleagues across a complex multi-stakeholder environment.
  • Experience of working within an office environment dealing with confidential information.
  • Ability to work flexibly across a range of responsibilities whilst supporting other members of the team.
  • An understanding of the importance of HR compliance, safer recruitment and the accurate handling of confidential pre-employment information.

Task

• • Support recruitment and onboarding activity, including posting vacancies, communicating with recruiting managers and candidates, completing pre-employment checks and supporting the onboarding of successful applicants.
  • Coordinate and track pre-employment compliance checks, including DBS checks, right to work verification, references and other required vetting, ensuring evidence is complete, records are accurate and any issues are escalated appropriately in line with safer recruitment requirements.
  • Update, maintain and audit the HR database and confidential people records, ensuring information is accurate, up to date and handled in accordance with GDPR requirements.
  • Support the day-to-day administration of the HR function, including managing HR inbox enquiries, maintaining key HR dates and deadlines, and producing regular people reports.
  • Liaise with external HR service providers, including payroll and pension providers, HR software suppliers and recruitment agencies, as required.
  • Take minutes and actions from meetings where required and contribute to improvements in HR processes and wider HR projects.

What we’ll do for you

• • 25 days’ annual leave plus public holidays.
  • Healthcare benefits and life assurance.
  • Up to 6% employer pension contribution.
  • Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities.
  • Relocation package and recruitment referral scheme.
  • The opportunity to join a committed and supportive team working to improve outcomes for children and young people.

To Apply: Please follow the link below to access our Applicant Tracking System (ATS), where you can submit your application. You will be asked to provide your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Closing date: Friday 28 August 2026

Interviews: W/C 31 August. Exact date to be confirmed

Any offer of employment will be conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks, including right to work verification, background vetting, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (which may include overseas checks), verification of qualifications, receipt of satisfactory professional references, and medical clearance.