Workforce Planner

Description

At Esland, we're a leading provider of specialist therapeutic care and integrated education for vulnerable young people between the ages of 6-18 years old.

Our purpose is to change children's lives for the better by equipping every young person with the character strengths, life and social skills, education, and qualifications to be ready for the next steps on their journey to adulthood.

Were looking for an experienced Workforce Planner, to join our team to support our teams with scheduling and rota across our residential children's homes. You will work closely with the Managing Director and partner with the Regional Directors and Managers to ensure staffing is effective in all areas.

Key Responsibilities

Support the home management teams to ensure effective rostering on People Planner in line with staffing ratios, risk assessments, and children's individual care needs.
Ensure that all homes are fully utilising People Planner and scheduling appropriately.
Proactively plan cover for annual leave, sickness, training, and other absences.
Liaise with Home managers and/ or Deputy Managers to ensure adequate shift coverage without over-reliance on agency staff.
Monitor working hours to ensure compliance with Working Time Regulations, staff contracts, and Ofsted requirements.
Keep accurate, real-time records of staff availability, shifts worked, overtime, and on-call arrangements.
Support recruitment by identifying staffing shortfalls or future workforce gaps.
Maintain and update rota systems (manual or digital), ensuring accurate payroll and HR reporting.
Work closely with Recruitment & Onboarding and Home Managers to support onboarding and induction planning on new recruits into the business
Contribute to staffing reports and audits for regulatory inspections (e.g., Ofsted).
Be a key point of contact for rota-related queries and last-minute staffing issues.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential:
Experience in workforce planning, rota coordination, or similar administrative roles.
Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in rota management software, ideally People Planner.
Desirable:
Experience in a residential care setting, preferably with children or vulnerable people.
Knowledge of Ofsted regulations and staffing ratio requirements in children's homes.
Key Attributes:
Problem solver and quick thinker, especially in last-minute staffing scenarios.
Confidential and professional in handling sensitive staff information.
Flexible and responsive to changing staffing needs, including occasional out-of-hours contact.

Benefits

We want you to feel valued and rewarded by your time at Esland. We understand the importance of offering you a reward package that goes beyond simply a salary. The salary will be up to £45,000 dependant on experience. We can also offer:
25 days annual leave
Healthcare cashback plan
Enrolment into Esland pension scheme
Company sick pay
Comprehensive, paid induction training (that is accredited through the Bild Association of Certified Training) and ongoing training within the role
Fantastic opportunities for career development, we promoted over 100 colleagues last year
Cycle to work scheme
A £500 bonus via our 'Refer a Friend' scheme
Monthly recognition awards
Casual dress code
Access to big-brand deals and discounts via our employee benefits scheme E-Together
Free parking when on-site
A day off for your birthday (in addition to your holiday entitlement)
Access to a holiday home based in the Peak District where you can stay for free, on the company!
The opportunity to make a real difference to a child's life!
Terms and conditions apply

About Esland
With over 35 years of residential childcare experience, the Esland group now has more than 65 residential children's and assessment homes, and five schools, that are spread across the Kent, Hertfordshire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Wiltshire, Bedfordshire, Nottinghamshire, West Midlands and Northamptonshire regions of England.
This also includes our Esland online school accessible to children throughout the UK which helps to deliver education to children missing education by utilising our specialised Turning the Curve education programme.
With over 800 team members and over 200 young people supported we strive to help our children achieve their very best outcomes, through our bespoke residential care, education, therapeutic and activity-led wraparound services.