Contracts & Policies
Clear, well-drafted employment documentation supports a safe, fair and legally compliant workplace. We support employers across the private sector, charities, healthcare and education by creating contracts, handbooks and policies that address current legal requirements and reflect the realities of each organisation’s sector.
Our approach is both meticulous and practical. We ensure every document is aligned with employment legislation, case law developments and sector‑specific obligations — from safeguarding requirements in schools to Agenda for Change considerations in healthcare and governance duties within charities. This means your organisation benefits from documentation that is not only compliant, but genuinely workable in day‑to‑day practice.
We draft and review:
- Employment contracts — tailored terms, role‑specific clauses, senior leadership contracts and consultancy agreements.
- Staff handbooks — clear, accessible guidance that supports consistency, fairness and risk management.
- Sector‑specific policies — safeguarding, whistleblowing, disciplinary, grievance, equality, hybrid working, clinical governance and charity‑specific frameworks.
Every document is designed to reduce risk, support good practice and give employers confidence that their workforce is managed within a legally sound structure.
To speak to one of our employment team, call us on 0191 495 2896 or complete a Free Online Enquiry today.
HR Procedures & Investigations
Workplace concerns — whether disciplinary issues, grievances, whistleblowing disclosures or safeguarding matters — require careful handling, a fair process and an appropriately independent assessment. We support employers across the private sector, charities, healthcare and education by providing practical legal guidance at every stage of an internal procedure.
We help organisations manage sensitive issues confidently and lawfully, ensuring investigations are fair, thorough and aligned with statutory and sector specific obligations. This includes support with:
- Disciplinary procedures — ensuring allegations are assessed properly, processes are followed consistently and outcomes are defensible.
- Grievance management — guiding employers through employee complaints with clarity, neutrality and compliance.
- Whistleblowing matters — supporting organisations in responding to protected disclosures, including NHS and education specific frameworks.
- Safeguarding concerns — advising on safer recruitment obligations, reporting duties and sector specific risk management.
Impartial Investigating Officer Service
Where an external perspective is appropriate, we can provide an independent investigating officer to conduct and report on the investigation. This can support:
- Independence — an investigation conducted outside the organisation’s usual reporting lines, helping to provide neutrality and clear, defensible outcomes.
- Procedural fairness — interviews, evidence gathering and findings conducted in accordance with an agreed process, best practice and relevant legal principles.
- Sector-sensitive insight — an approach informed by the realities of the relevant environment, whether a clinical setting, charitable organisation or education provider.
- Clear, evidence-based findings — our reports set out the evidence considered, the findings reached and, where appropriate, practical recommendations.
This service is particularly valuable for complex allegations, senior staff matters, safeguarding concerns or situations where internal resources are limited.
Organisational Change, TUPE Transfers & Settlement Agreement Support
Organisational change brings both opportunity and risk. Whether restructuring, merging services, transferring staff under TUPE, or negotiating exit terms, employers need clear, commercially grounded advice that protects their organisation while treating staff fairly. Our firm provides strategic guidance throughout periods of change, ensuring decisions are legally compliant, well‑documented and aligned with sector‑specific obligations.
We support employers across the private sector, charities, the healthcare and education sectors with:
- Organisational change strategy — practical, legally sound planning for restructures, role changes, service redesign and workforce realignment.
- TUPE transfers — advice on identifying affected employees, managing consultation, handling measures, and ensuring a smooth transition between service providers.
- Risk management — guidance on avoiding unfair dismissal, discrimination, and procedural pitfalls during change processes.
Where employment relationships come to an end, we provide clear, confident support in drafting and negotiating settlement agreements. Our team ensures terms are legally compliant, accurately reflect the intentions of both parties, and minimise future risk.
We assist with:
- Drafting tailored settlement agreement terms
- Negotiating financial, confidentiality and post termination clauses
- Ensuring compliance with statutory requirements
- Providing sector sensitive advice for senior staff, clinicians, teachers and charity leaders
Tribunal Representation
Facing an employment tribunal can be daunting, whether you are an employer managing organisational risk or an employee seeking fairness. Our firm provides comprehensive tribunal preparation, strategic advice, and representation, ensuring every client is supported with clarity, confidence and meticulous attention to detail.
We combine our in-house experience with the assistance of external counsel where appropriate, working with experienced employment barristers selected to suit the needs of the case. This collaborative approach gives each case the benefit of an appropriate blend of legal insight, sector knowledge and advocacy experience.
Our team manages the process — from early case assessment and evidence gathering to preparing tribunal documents and written submissions, preparing witnesses and guiding clients through procedural requirements. Where counsel is instructed, we work closely with them to provide coordinated representation in matters involving unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, breach of contract or related regulatory issues.
This partnership model means our clients receive representation that is not only technically robust but also strategically aligned with the realities of their sector, whether private industry, charities, the NHS or education.
Sector Specific Employment Law Compliance
Different sectors face different regulatory pressures — and employment decisions rarely exist in isolation. Our firm provides clear, practical compliance advice to organisations across the healthcare, education and charitable sectors, ensuring workplace practices meet legal duties, regulatory expectations and sector specific standards.
We help employers navigate the frameworks that shape their workforce, including safer recruitment rules, governance obligations, professional standards, and reporting requirements. Our guidance is grounded in real world operational understanding, giving clients confidence that their employment practices are both compliant and workable.
NHS Workforce Compliance
NHS organisations operate within a highly regulated environment, where employment decisions may intersect with patient safety, clinical governance and Agenda for Change arrangements. We advise on:
- Safer recruitment and pre employment checks
- Whistleblowing, professional standards and the employment implications of statutory and professional duties of candour
- Professional standards and regulatory reporting
- Managing clinical and non clinical workforce risks
Education Sector Compliance
Schools, academies and colleges must meet strict safeguarding and employment standards. We support education providers with:
- Safer recruitment and DBS requirements
- Staff conduct, safeguarding duties and statutory guidance
- Governance responsibilities for trusts and governing bodies
- Managing parental complaints and workforce disputes
Charity Governance & Workforce Compliance
Charities balance governance duties, volunteer management and employment obligations. We advise on:
- Trustee responsibilities and governance frameworks
- Volunteer and hybrid workforce arrangements
- Safeguarding and risk management duties
- Policy development tailored to charitable operations
Safer Recruitment & Regulatory Obligations
Across all sectors, safer recruitment and regulatory compliance are essential to protecting people and maintaining public trust. We help organisations implement robust, defensible processes, including:
- Pre employment vetting and DBS checks
- Policy frameworks aligned with statutory guidance
- Reporting obligations to regulators and professional bodies
- Risk based decision making during recruitment and investigations
