Strategic & Operational HR Shared Services
Levels of service

We believe our members need different levels of strategic HR depending on the circumstances in the college and the people involved. We have outlined 3 levels to give an idea of the type of service that we can offer. In order to deliver a personal service, it is essential that college visits and personal contact is developed and maintained. We have therefore designed our service to build in a number of consultant visits.

We do not offer an hourly or day rate, as we feel that this is very often detrimental to the service we can offer and forms a barrier to the college in obtaining advice in the early stages. As a shared service colleges pay an annual membership fee based on the size of college and level of support required.

This is a guideline to our services and as college needs may vary, we will discuss your needs on an individual basis. VAT is not charged as this is a membership service.

Gold service

• Initial 2-day visit to meet principal & senior managers
• Basic review of HR strategy and practices
• E-mail and telephone support on any HR matters
• Sharing of standard policies written to be used by colleges
• Regular visits (total of 6 days per year)

Silver service

• Initial 2-day visit to meet principal & senior managers
• Basic review of HR strategy and practices
• E-mail and telephone support on any HR matters
• Sharing of standard policies written to be used by colleges
• Regular visits (total of 4 days per year)

Bronze service

• Initial 1-day visit to meet principal & senior managers
• Basic review of HR strategy and practices
• E-mail support followed up by telephone contact as required
• Sharing of standard policies written to be used by colleges
• 6-monthly visit (total of 2 days per year)

Project work

There will undoubtedly be circumstances when the college requires a higher level of support, such as restructures or indeed where the college decides to implement a new way of working. In these circumstances, we would be happy to quote for a fixed fee for the project or, for smaller projects, we will use a preferential daily rate agreed with you in advance.

Working with HR teams

ACER’s team of HR professional work positively and inclusively with existing HR staff, sharing our experience when possible. Our charitable aims are to improve the quality and efficiency of colleges and our shared service embraces this aim by helping to develop HR professionals in colleges to meet the challenges of the future.

Support for HR staff new to FE

We recognise that FE and colleges have their own culture, jargon and sector knowledge. Many senior HR professionals join FE from other sectors and benefit from working with HR specific inductions through mentoring in the early stages of their new roles. ACER offers FREE mentoring to new HR directors and managers through our membership service. Please call us for more details.

Association of Colleges in the Eastern Region, Suite 1 Lancaster House, Meadow Lane, St Ives, Cambs, PE27 4LG

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