• Office
  • 1 Amphora Place
  • Sheepen Road
  • Colchester
  • Essex
  • CO3 3WG
  • Tel: 01206 217300

Helena Oxley

Solicitor

As an Employment Solicitor in the Education team, I specialise in advising clients in the education sector, including nurseries, schools, academies, multi-academy trusts, colleges, and universities.

My expertise lies in employment law and HR and the regulatory framework that applies to education settings in the context of employment and HR matters, such as the requirements of the 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' statutory guidance.

I provide pragmatic specialist advice and guidance to those in the education sector, including on the implementation of best practice. I assist our Employment Law and HR Retainer clients with contentious and non-contentious employment and HR issues. This includes supporting clients through disciplinary, capability and grievance processes, exit negotiations, redundancy and restructure, whistleblowing allegations, flexible working, family-friendly rights and defending employment tribunal claims, such as unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing.

I deliver comprehensive training sessions and presentations on legal updates covering crucial aspects of employment law and HR practices to education settings, both in person and online, to ensure they are informed and kept up to date.

My training sessions include:

  • Best practice in carrying out staff investigations

  • Best practice in conducting disciplinary or grievance meetings for staff

  • Mental health awareness for HR and senior leadership teams

  • Equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace

I also advise individual clients on various matters, including settlement negotiations with their employer or via Acas, contracts of employment and pursuing claims in the employment tribunal.

Additionally, The Legal 500 describes me as a key lawyer, and I am recognised in their listings as a recommended lawyer.

I am a Trustee on the board of the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, Essex, and I volunteer with the Anglia Ruskin University Law Clinic to provide free legal advice.

In my spare time, I enjoy basketball, walks along the coast, and going to the theatre. I also have an interest in mentoring, which I am keen to further develop in the future.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

  • Law degree (LLB)

  • Legal Practice Course

  • Qualified as a Solicitor in 2019

The Legal 500 – The Clients Guide to Law Firms The Legal 500 – The Clients Guide to Law Firms

What our clients say

  • We use Birkett Long’s Legal and HR retainer services. The Education Team at Birkett Long have the experience and expertise in all the legal areas needed and when providing advice and assistance they always have the Trust’s reputation at the forefront. They are professional and effective and respond to a new query usually within a day if not on the day. If a request is for advice or assistance that falls outside of the retainer services, they are clear about the costs associated with the work and any quote is provided prior to work starting.
  • We are so pleased with the HR service that you offer. We feel it's such great value for money and the team is so helpful!
  • We use Birkett Long’s Legal and HR retainer services. The Education Team at Birkett Long have the experience and expertise in all the legal areas needed and when providing advice and assistance they always have the Trust’s reputation at the forefront. They are professional and effective and respond to a new query usually within a day if not on the day. If a request is for advice or assistance that falls outside of the retainer services, they are clear about the costs associated with the work and any quote is provided prior to work starting. - Business Manager of a 5 school multi-academy trust
  • The team at Birkett Long is quick to find a solution and is experienced enough to understand the complexities. Legal 500, 2023
  • The team are very hands-on with cases right from the outset and build a good rapport with clients which is helpful when advising on high-value litigation. Legal 500, 2023
  • Thank you so much for all your help with getting James the right placement. He is now halfway into the first term and doing really well. Just to let you know we had the SALT assessment for James last week. We now have his communication difficulties documented which without your help we wouldn't have had.
  • Please can we renew our Education Legal Retainer; it really gives me peace of mind and us all great confidence knowing that the BL team are there if we need them! - St Cedds School
  • Julie Temple is very helpful. She manages not only our HR side but also helps put us in touch with the right people for any other legal matters. -Legal 500 2024
  • Birkett Long represented us in the legal process of joining a multi academy trust. The Education Team were able to provide the appropriate service for all stages of the process. Input was timely, queries were given the appropriate attention and information was forthcoming to meet the schedule for the merger. The process was achieved in a timely fashion. - Headteacher of an academy school