Helena Oxley

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.