Associate HR Business Partner (FTC – 31/03/2026)

Job Summary Band 6 AFC – Associate HR Business Partner based at Prospect Park Hospital – Reading. Fixed‑term contract until 31 March 2026. Responsible for employee relations within the Adults Mental Health Division, providing strategic HR support, workforce planning, change management, engagement and leadership development. Responsibilities Provide professional HR advice to all levels of managers across the full range of employee relations issues. Oversight and supervision of band 5 HR Advisor. Build and maintain credible relationships with Service Managers within the division, ensuring complex or sensitive information is communicated confidently. Act as a point of contact for managers and staff seeking advice on various policies, analysing queries to offer solutions. Advise managers on recruitment processes, including writing job descriptions and person specifications. Work closely with your People Business Partner to ensure that the services within your division are delivering their "people priorities". Support the delivery of employee relations casework and development of the inpatient team’s HR knowledge and confidence. Interview will be held on 1st Dec 2025. About Us Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated "outstanding" by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. We foster an inclusive, compassionate environment where our people feel belonging and are supported to flourish. Our Values Caring for and about you is our top priority. Committed to providing good quality, safe services. Working together to develop innovative solutions. Benefits Flexible working options. 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell. Generous NHS pension scheme. Excellent learning and career development opportunities. Cycle to Work, car leasing schemes including electric vehicles. Access to wellbeing tools and services. Retail and restaurant discounts. Staff networks for race, diversity, disability, environment and armed forces community. Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave. Free parking across Trust sites. Job Details Date posted: 11 November 2025 Pay scheme: Agenda for change Band: 6 Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year Contract: Fixed term (3 months) Working pattern: Full-time Reference number: 371-CS319-A Location: Prospect Park Hospital, Reading, RG30 4EJ Qualifications & Experience Degree or equivalent experience working within a generalist HR role. Working towards or holding a CIPD Level 7 qualification (or equivalent experience in a generalist HR role). Experience of working autonomously within HR in a multi‑skilled professional and unionised environment. Experience of working in a customer‑driven service. Experience of providing employee relations advice within the NHS or similar public sector organisations. Experience of advising managers on complex employee relations casework up to and including dismissal, HR policies, and organisational change. Ability to travel to multiple sites with minimal impact on daily productivity. Strong knowledge of employment law, data protection, confidentiality, HR best practice, and advanced keyboard skills. Excellent interpersonal, communication, influencing and persuasion skills. Person Specification Education / Qualifications / Training Degree or equivalent experience working within a generalist HR role; CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent. Previous Experience Worked autonomously within HR in a multi‑skilled professional and unionised environment; customer‑driven service; provided employee relations advice within NHS or similar. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Interpret and advise on terms and conditions; up‑to‑date knowledge of employment law; confidentiality, data protection and information governance; good HR practice; advanced keyboard and data interpretation; prioritise workload; work under pressure; communicate sensitive information effectively; strong interpersonal and communication skills. Desirable Understanding of NHS terms and conditions of service. Additional Requirements Ability to travel to multiple sites with minimal impact on daily productivity. Disclosure & Barring Position requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check; subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Contact Information Fran Langan – francisco.langan@berkshire.nhs.uk Mike Thomas – mike.thomas@berkshire.nhs.uk #J-18808-Ljbffr