Birkett Long’s education team is comprised of dedicated education employment solicitors and education HR consultants who specialise in providing advice and assistance to education clients. Retaining and rewarding good staff is, of course, fundamental to your education institution as it is people who achieve objectives, whether those relate to the provision of education itself or matters of governance, budget and administration.

Employment and HR issues impact the motivation, efficiency and effectiveness of staff. Our aim is to provide education clients with comprehensive practical advice so that when issues do arise - as they inevitably do - they’re resolved quickly. As you would justifiably expect, our education lawyers are experts in their field, but you can be assured that they are also up to speed with the latest government guidance and funding requirements.

We also know exactly how time-consuming employment and HR issues can be and how much of a drain they are on the energy and resources of key people in your institution. Our team stands by the side of education clients to relieve the burden of employment and HR issues, so that key people can focus their attention where they need to.

Who we are and what we do

Who is Birkett Long?

• Ranked tier 1 in the legal directory, Legal 500, as employment solicitors and HR advisers
• Chosen and trusted by a range of educational institutions, including schools, academy trusts, further education colleges and universities
• Committed to the education sector, supporting a number of education client initiatives and working as governors and trustees across a variety of educational institutions - a commitment that allows us to add real value to your institution
• Dedicated to providing a first class and highly responsive service, providing pragmatic, practical, clear, accessible sector specific advice
• Up front and transparent about costs.

Over the decades we have been working within the education sector we have gained a significant insight and understanding of the needs of educational institutions, the policies under which you must work and the ever-changing landscape of employing staff in schools.

What do our education solicitors do?

We provide a full range of services, such as:        

• Clear, comprehensive, strategic and sector specific employment law and HR advice to educational institutions
• TUPE advice, supporting key stakeholders on academy conversions and school transfers
• Restructures
• Bespoke institution specific employment contracts and terms of employment
• Pay awards and appeals
• Safeguarding and capability processes
• Grievances, disciplinaries and capability processes  
•  Referrals to the Teaching Regulation Authority
• Compliance with the academy’s financial handbook
• Discrimination issues
• Exit agreements
• Allegations against staff
• Advice to remuneration committees regarding executive pay, salary benchmarking, re-design of pay and reward structures
•  Union issues.

What is covered by the education employment law and HR retainer?

Supporting and working with education institutions across the sector has given us a deep understanding of the services most required. But we know that one size doesn’t fit all. When you choose a retainer scheme with Birkett Long it will be tailored specifically to your needs, ensuring that you only have what you need  and you don’t pay for services you won’t use.

The retainer provides unlimited support for all your day-to-day employment law and HR issues, provided by education employment solicitors and education HR consultants who are specialists in advising the education sector.

Where a matter requires more extensive support or if there is a significant project you require assistance with, we would agree to a separate scope of instructions at an additional charge. Such charges are discounted to retainer clients and all fee quotes are set out in a transparent manner, so that you are clear as to what advice and assistance is included and can budget effectively.   

Our commitment to your nursery, school, academy trust, further or higher education institution

• We get to know you and your institution. Your expert BL education team will comprise an education HR consultant adviser and a specialist education employment law solicitor. Your team will get to know you and your institution and will work with you to understand your specific challenges and preferred approach.

• HR support solutions that work for you. Knowing you and your institution will allow your BL education team to provide you with practical, sector specific employment law and HR advice without delay.

• Expert advice and comprehensive education sector knowledge. Your BL education team will not use a script. They know the law, latest government guidance and your institution’s priorities, and will always look beyond obvious solutions to give you pragmatic advice and guidance.

• Choice of service. Our range of employment and HR solutions gives you hands-on advice and expertise as you need it, by phone, email and online meetings.

• No nasty surprises! We are clear about what is included and what isn’t. All your day-to-day HR issues will be covered and you will not pay for things you may never need.

If you would like further details about our retainer schemes, the experience within our education team, or would like to have a no-obligation chat about an issue affecting your institution, please contact Thomas Emmett, solicitor and Head of Education at Birkett Long on 01245 453847 or thomas.emmett@birkettlong.co.uk.