People Assistant (Maternity Cover)

24 hours per week | 3 days per week | Maternity Cover
Tuesday and Friday essential, with flexibility on the third working day

We’re looking for an organised, proactive and people-focused People Assistant to join The DEN Nursery Group on a maternity cover basis.

Working closely with our People and Culture Manager, you’ll play an important role in supporting our nurseries and wider support team and helping us create a consistently brilliant experience for our people.

At The DEN, how we treat people matters. We want every interaction – from someone applying for their first role with us to celebrating the achievements of a long-standing team member – to feel warm, professional and genuinely personal. You’ll help us make that happen, while ensuring the important processes behind the scenes are completed accurately, consistently and with care.

This is a varied role where no two days will look exactly the same. You could be speaking to a candidate about joining DEN, preparing a contract for a new starter, completing DBS and reference checks, taking notes in a People meeting, keeping our HR platform up to date or helping us celebrate someone who has gone above and beyond.

What you'll be doing:

Recruitment & Welcome

You’ll help create a great experience from someone's first interaction with DEN through to their first day with us.

• Posting job adverts and managing applications across our recruitment platforms
• Carrying out initial telephone screenings and coordinating interviews
• Communicating with candidates throughout the recruitment process
• Preparing offers, contracts and new starter documentation
• Supporting onboarding so new team members feel welcomed, informed and ready to join DEN

Compliance & Safer Recruitment

You’ll help make sure the important checks that protect our children, teams and business are completed accurately and consistently.

• Processing and monitoring DBS and Right to Work checks
• Obtaining, reviewing and following up employment references
• Ensuring pre-employment and safer recruitment checks are completed and recorded
• Maintaining accurate and compliant employee records
• Monitoring outstanding actions and key compliance requirements

People Systems & Administration

You’ll help keep our People processes organised, accurate and running smoothly.

• Supporting the day-to-day management of our HR platform
• Keeping employee information and records accurate and up to date
• Taking accurate and confidential notes during People meetings, including disciplinary, grievance and other formal meetings
• Preparing contracts, amendments and other People documentation
• Supporting managers and team members with day-to-day People queries

People Experience & Recognition

The little things matter. You’ll help make sure our people feel seen, appreciated and connected to DEN.

• Supporting our reward and recognition programme, awards and celebrations
• Recognising key milestones and the brilliant things happening across our teams
• Supporting People communications and initiatives across the Group
• Helping us listen to feedback and turn it into meaningful actions
• Finding simple ways to make the everyday experience of working at DEN even better

You’ll also work alongside the People and Culture Manager on wider People projects and priorities, giving you plenty of opportunity to get involved, learn and develop.

About you:

You don’t need to know absolutely everything from day one. What matters to us is finding someone who shares our values, cares about getting things right and genuinely enjoys supporting people.

You’ll be someone who:

• Has previous experience within HR, People, recruitment or a similar role
• Is highly organised with excellent attention to detail and takes ownership of getting things done
• Is confident using HR systems and digital platforms
• Understands the importance of confidentiality and handling sensitive information appropriately
• Communicates warmly and professionally with candidates, managers and team members
• Can work independently, use initiative and knows when to ask for support
• Is comfortable juggling different priorities in a busy, growing organisation
• Cares about the experience people have and connects with our values and the way we do things at DEN
• Holds a full driving licence and has access to a vehicle, as occasional travel to our local nurseries will be required to support meetings and other People activities

Experience of safer recruitment, DBS processes or working within childcare, education or another regulated environment would be an advantage, but isn’t essential.

Working pattern

This is a maternity cover position working 24 hours across 3 days per week.

Your working week will need to include Tuesday and Friday, with flexibility around the third working day.

Why join The DEN?

At The DEN, we believe that creating an exceptional experience for children and families starts with creating a workplace where great people can join, stay and thrive.

Our People team supports a growing group of nurseries, which means this role gives you the opportunity to experience the whole People journey – from attracting and welcoming new team members to supporting, recognising and celebrating the people already making a difference every day.

We’re a business with big hearts, open minds and a love of great adventures, and we’re looking for someone who wants to bring those same qualities to our People team.

If you’re organised, people-focused, brilliant with the detail and love being the person who makes sure things happen when they should, we’d love to hear from you.

Pay: £14.00 per hour

Expected hours: 24.0 per week

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Referral programme

Work Location: In person