HR Consultancy
Senior, practical HR support for organisations that can’t afford to get people decisions wrong
HR leadership on retainer - Chartered FCIPD support without the full-time cost
People issues carry risk: legal, reputational, operational, and, in some organisations, safeguarding risk too. Whether you’re running a school, charity, or growing business, HR decisions need to be clear, lawful, and defensible.
Graffham Consulting provides strategic HR consultancy across the board, supporting organisations with day-to-day people management, employment law compliance, safeguarding-aligned HR practice, and strategic leadership advice - without the cost or commitment of a full-time HR Director.
We provide HR consultancy to organisations across the UK, working with leaders who need calm, senior advice they can rely on.
You’ll work directly with Louise Douglas, MA, Chartered FCIPD, Lead HR Consultant at Graffham Consulting, supported by trusted associates where appropriate to ensure continuity, capacity, and specialist input.
Who we support
We work with organisations where people risk matters, including:
- Schools, Multi Academy Trusts and education settings
- Charities and non-profits, including those working with children and young people
- SMEs and growing organisations
- Values-led organisations operating in regulated or scrutinised environments
This service is flexible depending on your context - but the standard of HR leadership remains the same.
How we help
Our HR consultancy supports organisations with compliance, staff relations, safeguarding-aligned HR practice, and senior people leadership across the full employee lifecycle.
HR foundations and compliance
- Staff handbook creation, review, and full rewrites
- Contracts and policy updates aligned to current employment law
- Implementation of new statutory rights (including employee rights, flexible working and carers’ leave)
- HR compliance support for SMEs and regulated organisations
Staff relations and risk management
- Disciplinary, capability, grievance, and absence guidance
- Support with sensitive or high-risk staff issues
- Fair, defensible approaches to performance and conduct
- Advice that balances legal compliance with organisational values
Recruitment and workforce support
- Job descriptions and recruitment strategy
- Safer recruitment guidance where applicable
- Interview design, shortlisting, and appointment support
- Onboarding process design
Safeguarding-aligned HR (where applicable)
- HR practice aligned to safeguarding responsibilities
- Support managing allegations and safeguarding-related HR issues
- Policy alignment for child-focused organisations
- Leadership advice where HR and safeguarding intersect
Leadership and strategic HR
- Senior HR leadership on retainer
- Strategic workforce and people planning
- Manager coaching and leadership support
- Organisational change, restructuring, and growth support
HR retainer options
We work on ad-hoc projects, but a retainer basis provides consistent, senior-level HR support. Retainers are tailored, but typically fall into the following bands:
HR foundations retainer
For organisations needing reliable, compliant HR support without in-house capacity.
- Ongoing HR advice
- Handbook and policy maintenance
- Employment law guidance
- Support with routine staff issues
HR Partnership Retainer
For organisations managing regular people challenges or growth.
- Increased HR capacity
- Monthly strategic planning calls
- Ongoing policy and handbook development
- Recruitment and staff relations support
- Manager coaching
Strategic HR Partner
For organisations with complex risk, safeguarding responsibilities, or significant change.
- Senior HR leadership support
- Regular leadership or strategy calls
- Full HR framework development
- Complex case and risk support
- Governance and inspection readiness
- Priority response for urgent matters
Retainers can be reviewed and adjusted as your organisation’s needs change.
Why organisations choose Graffham Consulting
- Senior accountability — clear leadership, not anonymous advice
- Safeguarding-literate HR where required
- Employment law translated into practice, not just theory
- Calm, proportionate advice in high-pressure situations
- Flexible support without the overhead of a permanent hire
About Louise Douglas
Louise Douglas has a Master’s degree in HR and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD (Chartered FCIPD) with over 20 years’ experience leading HR across education, charities, SMEs and safeguarding-focused organisations.
She is Chair of a 13-school Multi-Academy Trust in East London and Essex and has supported organisations through inspections, safeguarding reviews, restructures, complaints, and complex people challenges. Louise has recently submitted her thesis for a Doctorate in Education, specialising in organisational ethos and culture, bringing research-informed insight to her HR leadership.
How it works
- Initial Consultation (No charge)
A 30-minute call to understand your organisation, risks, and priorities - Clear Retainer Setup
Defined scope, service levels, and contact protocols - Ongoing Support
Practical, senior HR advice when issues arise - Flexibility
Retainers can scale up or down as needs change
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide HR consultancy for both charities and SMEs?
Yes. We support schools, charities, and SMEs, tailoring our HR consultancy to the regulatory, safeguarding, and employment law context of each organisation.
Do you update staff handbooks and contracts as part of your HR support?
Yes. Staff handbook reviews, rewrites, and contract updates are a core part of our HR consultancy, particularly where employment law or safeguarding requirements have changed.
Talk to us about HR support
If you’re looking for HR support that is clear, senior, and grounded in real-world risk, we’d be happy to talk.
📧 [email protected]
đź“ž 01992 787242
