Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Operational lead for attendance improvement
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Operational lead for attendance improvement
Job Description: Attendance Management Specialist (Band 8a)
Job Overview
This innovative Band 8a role offers an opportunity to lead and shape how we support staff attendance and reduce avoidable sickness absence across Inner London services. Working collaboratively with operational and clinical teams, the postholder will drive compassionate, consistent and evidence-based approaches to attendance management:
- Ensuring timely support for staff
- Promoting psychological safety
- Improving workforce performance
This is a unique opportunity to make a visible impact on staff experience and service delivery, contributing to improved outcomes for our teams and the communities we serve.
Join our Inner London Service leadership team at an exciting time of transformation, where workforce wellbeing and high-quality care align.
Opportunity details:
- Internal CNWL applicants only for a 6-month secondment (3 days per week)
- Suitable for Band 8a or 7 professionals with experience in workforce management
- Ideal for those seeking to develop specialist skills in attendance management
Important Notes on Immigration and Right to Work
This vacancy does not meet Skilled Worker sponsorship criteria unless:
- You qualify under temporary exemption rules (commenced 22/07/2025) or
- You were sponsored continuously since before 04/04/2024
If you do not meet the Transitional Provision, we cannot process your application unless you provide documentary evidence of your legal right to work in the UK.
For full eligibility criteria, see: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Case Management
- Act as the designated attendance specialist for short/long-term sickness absence (thresholds:
- ≥3 episodes in 3 months
-
10 days in 12 months
- Emerging patterns of concern)
- Lead Stage 2 of the formal Attendance Policy and Maintaining Staff Health & Wellbeing Policy in partnership with HR and service managers
- Ensure documentation meets policy requirements (e.g., sickness certification, timelines, healthcare contact agreements, Occupational Health advice)
- Prepare case summaries and evidence-based reports for Stage 3 hearings/appeals
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Specialist Management Advisory Function
- Advise managers on policy applications and absence trigger thresholds
- Ensure consistent triage of cases with People Partners (deciding when to escalate transfers)
- Provide expert guidance on complex/sensitive cases:
- Disability-related absence
- Pregnancy and mental health needs
- Safeguarding-related issues
- Work closely with line managers to avoid fragmented support responsibilities
Occupational Health & Wellbeing Coordination
- Ensure timely referrals to CNWL Occupational Health and monitor advice quality
- Support staff in developing Health & Wellbeing Plans aligned with reasonable adjustments framework (productivity, risk, cost)
- Facilitate access to:
- Employee Assistance services
- Workplace Options
- Speak Up Guardian
- Trust-wide risk assessments and H&W champions (DEN+ Group)
Training, Development & Quality Improvement
- Develop resources, templates, and guidance for consistent best practice
- Analyse quarterly trends and produce actionable improvement recommendations
- Contribute to policy audits and workforce wellbeing initiatives
- Apply Quality Improvement methodologies to:
- Identify patterns of sickness absence
- Test small-scale interventions
- Embed effective change
Data & Performance Monitoring
- Analyze attendance standards using:
- ESR
- Workforce reporting tools
- Monitor critical review periods (6-month, 12-month triggers)
- Ensure accurate recording of decisions (OH referrals, bank work restrictions, fraud considerations)
Key Working Relationships
- Employee Relations/Business Partners (joint casework, policy interpretation)
- Occupational Health (holistic client advice)
- Line Managers (handover of case responsibility)
- Service Leadership Teams (attendance performance monitoring)
- Staff Side/Trade Unions (fair process compliance)
- Workplace Health/Wellbeing Teams (networking)
- Local Counter Fraud Specialists (secondary employment/sick pay investigations)
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Core Values & Behaviours
Central and North West London NHS Trust expects all team members to champion:
- COMPASSION: Acknowledge how staff interactions impact others positively.
- RESPECT: Celebrate differences and avoid assumptions.
- EMPOWERMENT: Share knowledge to enhance self-directed decision-making.
- PARTNERSHIP: Recognize commissioners and service users as the drivers of success.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential:
- Degree-level education
Experience
Essential:
- Operational experience managing formal HR/Employee Relations processes
- Handling sensitive/caseload conversations with confidentiality, compassion, and clarity
- Positive stakeholder collaboration
Desirable:
- Explicit NHS workforce management experience
- Quality Improvement (QI), audit, or change programme delivery
- Training development or facilitation
Skills & Knowledge
Essential:
- Expertise in Attendance Management & Staff Health/Wellbeing Policies
- Robust knowledge of equals legislation, disability, and reasonable adjustments
- High-caliber written communication (including meeting minutes and formal letters)
- Ability to interpret Occupational Health reports and make proportionate decisions
- Data analytics for pattern identification and risk management
Attitudes & Personal Qualities
Essential:
- Self-starting with strong organization/prioritization skills
- Calm, resilient under pressure (occasional verbal challenges)
- Compassionate confidence in supporting distressed staff/managers
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