News
Outset strives to be at the forefront of knowledge, systems and skills development, below are some examples of our recent news:
Outset Scores Successful Outcome for Charlton Athletic Community Trust
The Charlton Athletic Community Trust (“CACT”) is the first football-related charity to deliver a local authority’s youth service. Whilst other Councils look to make cuts throughout their service structure, CACT and the Royal Borough of Greenwich have launched details of an expanded and enhanced youth service within the Borough effective from 1st April 2012. This will enable young residents within the Borough to access a range of activity sessions provided through local specialised providers.
Patrick Glencross of Outset (UK) Ltd’s Employment Law Team advised CACT on the TUPE aspects of the transfer of the in-house service support team staff from the Royal Borough of Greenwich to CACT and Stuart Butler-Gallie of its Commercial Team advised and negotiated the detail of the Universal Youth Service Contract awarded to CACT together with the terms of the associated Hub licences.
This is a unique partnership enabling CACT, which already excels in the delivery of sports mentoring and other activities involving young people across the South-East of London and Kent, to further expand its successful programme delivery, bringing with it a diverse range of expertise and motivational excellence to the youth service within the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Jason Morgan, Chief Executive of the CACT said, “Stuart Butler-Gallie’s joint role as a trustee and legal consultant working with Outset (UK) combined to provide a perfect solution to our support needs in advising and negotiating this detailed and exciting contract with Royal Greenwich.”
“Outset’s experience of the complexities of TUPE combined with a well organised transfer of information from Royal Greenwich made the process easier than we had anticipated and enabled the CACT team to focus on key operational delivery issues during negotiations.”
Outset Helps Biffa to Secure Norwich Jobs Lost After Fountains Administration
Outset (UK) Ltd has advised Biffa Municipal Limited in securing an interim contract with Norwich City Council for the provision of street cleansing, grounds maintenance and arboriculture services that has effectively recreated jobs for the workers engaged in the performance of these services made redundant on the Administration of the previous contractor Fountains Environmental Limited.
Jonathan Gauton (Employment and Pensions) and Stuart Butler-Gallie (Commercial) worked closely with the Biffa team, headed by Municipal Managing Director, Roger Edwards in lengthy and complex negotiations with Norwich City Council to address the intricacies of the scope and nature of the interim contract in the context of procurement, risk transfer and TUPE application issues.
The deal further involved negotiation with Norfolk County Council in respect of admitted body status for Biffa to preserve the pension position of staff re-engaged to deliver the interim contract.
Roger Edwards MD of Biffa Municipal said “Outset were able to combine an extensive understanding of waste and related services contracts with a comprehensive and solution-driven approach to the complex employment law and pension issues involved in taking on staff already made redundant on contract(s) terminated by the Council.”
Outset Sponsors the Kent HR Conference 2011
Outset was proud to be the headline sponsor of the Kent HR Conference 2011 produced by the Kent County Council and Kent Messenger. The conference, held on the 8th of June at the Ashford International Hotel, was an exciting chance for directors, senior managers and HR professionals to meet together to listen to an array of nationally recognised experts in the field of HR, employment law and people management.
Speakers included General Sir Mike Jackson, Former Head of Staff for the Army and our very own Jonathan Gauton, Andy Dagger and Colin Smith who spoke on practical approaches to emerging employment law.
Outset’s Chairman Jonathan Gauton, remarks “I am delighted that Outset was the headline sponsor for the Kent HR Conference 2011. The conference proved to be a key event for anyone who needs to keep informed of the impending employment challenges facing all sectors and how they will impact on HR strategy.
Outset is dedicated to providing pragmatic, commercially focused employment law and HR advice to Kent businesses, the public and third sectors. We saw this event as an important vehicle for informing local organisations of the vital steps they need to take to ensure they are not only legally compliant, but shaping their HR plans to maximise the opportunities the future holds.”
For further information on the conference visit the Kent HR Conference 2011 website. Download Outset’s presentation from the conference below.
Outset on the Radio
Patrick Glencross appeared on BBC Radio Kent on 03 February 2011, interviewed as part of a news story about local authorities undertaking checks on employees with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). Patrick discussed how the legal criteria for obtaining CRB checks do not always match employers’ expectations, and the potential consequences of obtaining a CRB check outside the parameters of the relevant legislation. He also highlighted how important it is for employers who undertake CRB checks to comply with the requirements of the CRB’s Code of Practice, which is intended to ensure that disclosure information is used fairly.
Organisations applying to the CRB can apply for either standard disclosure or enhanced disclosure. In both cases, disclosure information will include details of spent convictions as well as unspent convictions, cautions and reprimands. For this reason, employers may only apply for a CRB check in relation to an occupation or profession which is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. In broad terms the exempt occupations and professions cover roles working with children or vulnerable adults, as well as various health professions and a range of positions in the courts and criminal justice systems.
Please contact Outset if your organisation requires any guidance or advice in this area.
All Systems Are Go!
Outset has selected TikitTFB’s Partner for Windows to replace our existing IT system. The new integrated system will improve Outset’s file management, accounting, time recording, billing and management reporting capabilities, resulting in more efficient behind the scenes operations.
One of the main beneficiaries of the new implementation is IntERact, our employee relations advisory team. The team will be using Partner for Windows to support and enhance the level of service provided to clients. The system will be specifically configured with file management and document production processes to manage differing protocols whilst providing a single database for contact management enabling the business to build on its cutting edge approach to cost effective, high quality people management, through managing multiple contacts and associated relationships.
The improved back office processes will directly improve the way Outset supports our clients. With more efficient document management, invoicing and client relationship management clients will receive an even higher level of service.
For more information about TikitTFB, visit their website.
Liz Keeps Learning
Outset’s team members are continually looking for new ways to increase their expertise in the understanding and application of employment law and human resources. IntERact’s senior advisor, Liz Taylor, has recently received recognition of her continuing professional development by completing the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)’s Professional Development Scheme.
The scheme covers a comprehensive range of human resources subjects including; employee relations, people management and development and employee reward.
In addition to the CIPD course, Liz has also successfully completed the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)’s Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership which has increased her understanding of the crucial role effective human resources management holds in relation to overall business success.
Several other members of Outset’s IntERact and HR teams are undergoing the CIPD’s Professional Development Scheme, highlighting Outset’s commitment to enhancing the services it provides to clients whilst maintaining a fulfilling working environment for staff.