ADVISERPLUS BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LIMITED

empower® by AdviserPlus - Employee relations case management software and services

empower® by AdviserPlus is an employee relations case management platform with manager enablement. It scales from HR-led to an innovative manager self-service model.

It can be deployed as technology-only or fully supported by AdviserPlus’ ER advisory services, allowing clients to select the right level of integrated digital and expert support.

Features

• UK-hosted, cloud-based application (Azure UK South & UK West)
• Policy-aligned workflows and guided journeys for managers and HR
• ER case management workflows with controlled lock points
• Dashboards and analytics
• Secure document generation and case file management
• Dedicated client configuration and change control via AdviserPlus
• Single Sign On (SSO) (SAML 2.0) and MFA support
• Accessibility compliant to WCAG 2.1 AA
• Configurable inactivity rules, reminders and automated escalations
• Secure integration with HRIS platforms (API/SFTP)

Benefits

• Reduces HR cost via manager self-service; frees capacity for strategy
• Standardised processes improve ER consistency, compliance, and predictable outcomes
• Provides complete audit trail and evidential record for strong defensibility
• Automated triggers, lock points, and escalation strengthen risk management
• Structured guidance enhances manager capability, confidence, and adherence
• Actionable insight uncovers unseen patterns for proactive interventions
• Digital processes improve operational efficiency, reducing case duration
• Proactive case creation reduces absence-related cost and productivity loss
• Increased visibility drives better manager behaviour and cultural change
• Enables scalable transformation and substantial savings through manager-led models

• Education pricing available

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at salessupport@adviserplus.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 15

Service ID

522203256551805

Contact

Charles McHugh
0844 327 2293
salessupport@adviserplus.com

About the service

• Service categories:
  • Applications
    • Enterprise resource management
      • Human capital management
        • Core Human Resources Applications
• Multi cloud support: No

Service scope

• Software add-on or extension: No
• Cloud deployment model: Public cloud
• Service constraints: Empower® runs in modern web browsers (latest minus two versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari) requiring JavaScript, cookies, pop-ups, and a minimum resolution of 1024x768.; ; All configuration changes are handled via AdviserPlus' managed service and formal change control. The platform is for manager and HR users only.; ; To ensure accurate case assignment and reporting, empower® requires a regular employee data feed (API or secure SFTP) including:; ; - Employee master data (name, role, status, location).; - Line manager relationships.; - Organisational structure data.; - Unique identifiers.; ; Optional data includes absence or performance triggers for automated case creation.
• System requirements:
  • Supports latest two versions of major browsers (inc.Edge, Chrome, Safari)
  • Browser settings require JavaScript, cookies and pop-ups enabled
  • Minimum resolution 1024×768; 1280×1024 or higher recommended
  • Requires a stable internet connection for cloud access
  • Accessible via desktop, laptop, and tablet devices
  • No local software installation required; fully browser-based
  • Supports username/password, SSO (SAML 2.0) and MFA

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Yes
• Support response times: Users can raise and manage support requests through the HALO ticketing system. Support is prioritised using four priority levels with the following SLAs, provided the request is raised during core hours:; - P1 (Critical); Response within 30 minutes; Resolve within 4 hours; - P2 (High); Response within 1 hour; Resolve within 12 hours; - P3 (Medium) ; Response within 8 hours; - P4 (Low) ; Response within 24 hours
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
• Online ticketing support accessibility: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: Yes, at an extra cost
• Web chat support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• AI chatbot: No
• Web chat support accessibility standard: EN 301 549
• Web chat accessibility testing: Webchat functionality within Empower is provided via a third-party solution, Gnatta.; ; The integration has undergone general user acceptance testing (UAT) as part of previous customer implementations to validate functional performance and user interaction within the empower platform. AdviserPlus has not undertaken specific or extensive accessibility testing (e.g. formal WCAG conformance testing) on the Gnatta webchat component.; ; Where accessibility assurance is required, supporting accessibility documentation and compliance information can be obtained directly from Gnatta upon request.
• Onsite support: No
• Support levels: Our approach to managing the framework is led by two key roles:; ; 1. Executive Sponsor: Accountable for all aspects of contract deliverables, at point of escalation.; ; 2. Customer Success Manager: Responsible for relationship management and service proposition evolution for the lifetime of the relationship. Focusing on service efficiencies and continuous improvement to ensure return on investment and focus on value. This role would also support any complaints or escalations about service quality or delivery.; ; Customer Experience Service Plans provide tiered support to help organisations maximise value from AdviserPlus and Empowering People Group solutions, from light-touch assurance to strategic partnership. Pricing is based on a tiered bases.
• Support available to third parties: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: AdviserPlus supports users to start using empower® through a structured, fully managed implementation and onboarding approach designed to ensure rapid adoption and confidence for HR teams and line managers.; ; Implementations are led by an AdviserPlus Project Manager and follow a proven delivery methodology with clear governance, escalation routes and regular reporting. Delivery timescales vary depending on whether the customer adopts an empower® enable (HR-led) or empower® transform (manager-led) model, and the level of configuration required.; ; All system configuration is delivered by AdviserPlus and includes alignment to organisational policies, workflows, approval routes and risk frameworks, alongside employee and organisational data setup (via SFTP or API) and optional SSO.; ; Once User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is completed, training is delivered using a train-the-trainer approach, with two half-day HR training sessions provided as standard. Training depth, format and ongoing enablement are aligned to the selected Customer Experience Service Plan.; ; Following go-live, customers are supported through a hypercare period and transitioned smoothly into business-as-usual under the guidance of a Customer Success Manager, ensuring continued adoption, optimisation and long-term value.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
• Documentation accessibility standard: EN 301 549
• End-of-contract data extraction: When a client contract ends, the exit process is managed as a controlled project. AdviserPlus securely returns all client data via SFTP, using a standard AdviserPlus format agreed during exit planning. Data returned typically includes employee master data, organisational structures, case records, attachments and audit history.; ; AdviserPlus retains the data only until the client confirms successful receipt. Following confirmation, all data held by AdviserPlus is deleted in accordance with our Data Disposal Policy, Data Retention Policy, and the data destruction requirements set out in the Data Transfer Agreement. A destruction certificate can be provided upon completion.
• End-of-contract process: The end-of-contract process is defined by the commercial agreement and initiated through an agreed exit plan. AdviserPlus typically includes exit planning as part of the core service at no additional cost.; Exit activities may include:; • Data migration support – extraction and secure return of data for onward migration; • Data destruction and disposal – completed in line with AdviserPlus’ Information Security and Data Disposal policies; • Transitional support – knowledge transfer, export of configuration items or transition assistance, where agreed; • Access management – coordinated removal of user access and system decommissioning; • Project governance – a structured exit plan managed through AdviserPlus’ project governance framework; This controlled approach ensures a secure, orderly and compliant transition from the service, with full alignment to contractual, regulatory and policy requirements.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Supported browsers:
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Opera
• Application to install: No
• Designed for use on mobile devices: Yes
• Differences between the mobile and desktop service: Differences between the mobile and desktop service:; ; -empower® is designed to deliver a seamless experience across desktop, laptop and mobile devices, with no separate mobile application required. ; - The interface adapts responsively to smaller screens, enabling managers and HR users to complete tasks, review case details, access guided journeys and view documentation while on the move.; - All core functionality remains available on mobile, with workflows, guidance and task-driven prompts optimised to ensure usability, readability and compliance across device types. The mobile experience supports the same secure authentication mechanisms (including SSO) and maintains full audit integrity.
• Service interface: Yes
• Description of service interface: Empower® is delivered as a fully managed, SaaS, web-based service, accessed securely via modern internet browsers with no local installation required. The interface is responsive across devices and can be branded to reflect each client’s organisational identity.; ; The service is designed for line managers, HR users and authorised case owners, providing intuitive, guided workflows aligned to client policy and best practice. All content, processes and documentation are configured and maintained by AdviserPlus as part of the managed service. All interactions and documents are securely stored and captured within a comprehensive audit trail to support governance, compliance and reporting.
• Accessibility standards: EN 301 549
• Accessibility testing: AdviserPlus conducts accessibility testing of all empower® components in line with WCAG 2.1 AA. ; ; The platform has recently undergone a comprehensive accessibility audit with one of our largest enterprise clients, and all recommended improvements have been implemented, further strengthening compliance and usability for all users.
• User support accessibility: EN 301 549
• API: Yes
• What users can and can't do using the API: Empower® provides a suite of secure APIs that support core integration requirements and enable seamless data exchange with client systems. ; ; The platform is API-driven, with APIs used internally to power the user interface and a controlled set made available for client consumption. ; ; Access is managed via OAuth 2.0, ensuring only authorised systems can interact with the service.; ; Our standard APIs support key data integration points, including:; - Employee master data feeds; - Organisational structure and hierarchy data; - Line-manager relationships; - Workforce status and employment changes; ; The API framework can be extended to support more advanced integration scenarios, such as:; - Case initiation from third-party systems (e.g. triggering ER cases from Workday/other HRIS platforms); - Integration with specialist third-party providers, like whistleblowing services or occupational health systems; - Two-way exchange of case outcomes, ensuring downstream systems receive updates relating to suspensions, warnings, retirement or termination; ; Where API use is not preferred/feasible, empower® can operate via:; - RAAS (Reporting-as-a-Service) processes; - Automated secure file exchange using client-specific SFTP workflows.; ; AdviserPlus conducts integration scoping during implementation to confirm the required data points, avoid unnecessary technical effort and ensure minimal impact on client IT resources while maintaining robust and secure data flows.
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats: Open API (also known as Swagger)
• API sandbox or test environment: Yes
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: - Each client receives a dedicated instance of the empower® service, configured through AdviserPlus’ fully managed implementation and change control process. ; ; - The platform is delivered using an out-of-the-box application framework, with a defined set of configurable elements that are tailored to reflect each client’s policies, processes, structure and branding.; ; Customisation typically includes:; - Client branding – visual styling, terminology and cultural alignment; - Domain/URL configuration – client-specific access routes; - Authentication setup – including SSO (SAML 2.0) where required; - People data integration – configuration of employee, manager and organisational hierarchy feeds; - Policy and process configuration – tailoring guided journeys, workflows, lock points and templates to reflect the client’s ER procedures; - Document templates – configuration of branded, policy-aligned letters and forms; - Role-based access controls – aligned to client structures and governance; - Case categories, tasks and notifications – configured to match organisational requirements; ; All customisation is designed, implemented and maintained by AdviserPlus through formal change control, ensuring consistency, quality assurance and compliance with the client’s operating model.; ; Where extended functionality or integrations are required, these are scoped collaboratively during implementation to ensure alignment with business needs and minimise the impact on client IT resources.

Scaling

• Independence of resources: Empower® is hosted within Microsoft Azure’s UK data centres and designed to scale efficiently with client usage and demand. ; ; Each client’s data is stored in dedicated, segregated containers to ensure independence, security and performance isolation.; ; The platform uses Azure’s built-in load balancing, auto-scaling and resource management capabilities to maintain optimal performance, even during periods of increased activity. ; ; Infrastructure, application performance and capacity are continuously monitored to identify potential bottlenecks and ensure the service scales appropriately without impacting other clients.; ; This ensures a stable, resilient and responsive service, with the ability to accommodate growth in users, cases, data and reporting demand.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: Empower® includes a Management Information (MI) suite providing 24/7 accessible dashboards and visualisations across all key ER activities. The platform transforms operational data into clear, actionable insight covering case volumes, duration, trends, absence, manager activity, and policy adherence.; ; Dashboards are interactive with drill-down capability, enabling identification of hotspots, root cause understanding, and tracking changes over time.; ; AdviserPlus’ Insight Analysts provide enhanced interpretation, trend analysis, and organisational benchmarking, supporting data-driven decisions and continuous improvement. This integrated MI approach reduces effort gathering ER data from disparate sources, giving HR teams and leaders accurate, single-source information.
• Reporting types:
  • API access
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Regular reports
  • Reports on request
• Resource tagging: Yes
• FOCUS resource tagging: Yes

Supplier type

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
• Government security clearance: Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations:
  • United Kingdom
  • European Economic Area (EEA)
  • Other locations
• User control over data storage and processing locations: No
• Datacentre security standards: Managed by a third party
• Penetration testing frequency: At least once a year
• Penetration testing approach: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CREST-approved service provider
• Protecting data at rest: Physical access control, complying with another standard
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Data sanitisation type: Deleted data can’t be directly accessed / Cryptographic Erasure
• Equipment disposal approach: Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001

Data importing and exporting

• Data export approach: AdviserPlus provides several options for extracting and consuming data from empower®. Users can export data directly from the portal into Excel or CSV formats through the built-in Management Information (MI) reporting suite. ; ; The MI suite includes dashboards that provide actionable insight into key ER metrics without requiring users to extract or manually manipulate raw data.; ; For automated/large-scale data exchange, empower® supports outbound data transfers via:; • SFTP – scheduled or ad hoc file exports; • Reporting-as-a-Service (RAAS); • API-based data retrieval; ; These methods enable clients to absorb structured data into internal data lakes, analytics environments or downstream systems as required.
• Data export formats:
  • CSV
  • Other
• Other data export formats:
  • Excel (via report download)
  • JSON (via API)
  • XML (via API or agreed outbound formats)
• Data import formats:
  • CSV
  • Other
• Other data import formats:
  • JSON
  • XML
  • Other formats supported through agreed methods (API or SFTP)

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks: TLS (version 1.2 or above)
• Data protection within supplier network: TLS (version 1.2 or above)

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: Empower® is delivered as a cloud-hosted SaaS platform within Microsoft Azure’s UK data centres. ; ; The service is designed for high availability, resilience and business continuity. The platform is supported by AdviserPlus’ managed service model and monitored continuously to ensure stable performance.; ; empower® is designed to achieve 99.75% availability during core hours, excluding planned maintenance windows or permitted exceptions. Service availability is monitored in real time, with infrastructure managed by Acora and application-level monitoring overseen by AdviserPlus.; ; Configuration changes, updates and fixes are deployed through controlled release processes, ensuring service continuity and data integrity. MI dashboards and reporting are maintained for accuracy and refreshed automatically as part of the managed service.
• Approach to resilience: Empower® is hosted within Microsoft Azure UK South (primary) with UK West (secondary) providing regional redundancy. Azure geo-replication ensures that data is synchronised between regions, enabling failover in the event of a regional disruption.; ; Key resilience features include:; • High-availability architecture across Azure regions; • Geo-redundant storage for databases and file assets; • Load balancing and autoscaling to maintain performance during increased demand; • Regular disaster recovery (DR) testing, aligned to AdviserPlus’ ; ; Business Continuity Plan; • Acora-managed infrastructure operations, monitoring platform health and resilience; • AdviserPlus-managed application-level configuration and security controls; ; Together, these ensure service continuity, fast recovery and platform resilience.
• Outage reporting: In the event of an outage or service disruption:; • Alerts are issued to clients by email and/or through the Customer Portal (HALO), outlining the issue, impact and expected time to resolution.; • Updates are provided at regular intervals until normal service is restored.; • A post-incident report is issued following major incidents, detailing root cause, mitigation actions and preventative measures.; ; This approach ensures transparency, timely communication and continuous service improvement.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication:
  • Public key authentication (including by TLS client certificate)
  • Username or password
  • Other
• Other user authentication: • Username and password; • SSO via SAML 2.0; • OAuth 2.0 / OpenID Connect; • Public key authentication (including TLS client certificate)
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: AdviserPlus applies strict Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and a least-privileged access model.; ; Internal AdviserPlus users receive only the minimum access required for their role. Privileged access is tightly restricted and managed through Privileged Identity Management (PIM), with a very limited number of Global Admin users.; ; Service users are not assigned privileged roles. ; ; Access is determined by the People Data Feed, which defines role, manager relationships and organisational hierarchy. User accounts updated within 24 hours of receiving the feed, ensuring access always reflects current organisational structures.; ; Support channels operate on least-privilege principles, allowing AdviserPlus staff to access only the information necessary.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Management access authentication:
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Public key authentication (including by TLS client certificate)
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)
  • Username or password
  • Other
• Description of management access authentication: Empower is a SaaS application integrated with customer identity platforms via SAML 2.0 or OAuth 2.0 Single Sign-On (SSO).; User authentication, verification and enforcement of security controls, including password policies and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), are managed entirely by the customer’s identity provider in line with their organisational group policies. AdviserPlus does not manage end-user credentials. Access within empower is then governed through role-based access controls aligned to authorised user roles.

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long user audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• Access to supplier activity audit information: Users contact the support team to get audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: Between 6 months and 12 months
• How long system logs are stored for: User-defined

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Software Security Code of Practice: Yes
• Security governance certified: Yes
• Security governance standards: ISO/IEC 27001
• Information security policies and processes: AdviserPlus maintains a full suite of information security and data protection policies aligned to ISO/IEC 27001 requirements, including:; • Information Security Policy; • Data Protection Policy (Supplier Data Processing Agreement included in Terms & Conditions document); • Access Control Policy; • Incident Management Policy and Major Incident Procedures; • Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery; • Data Disposal and Retention; • Supplier Management; • Logging and Monitoring; • Secure Coding & Change Management; ; Security governance is led by the Information Security Manager, who holds board-level responsibility and is supported by:; • Information Security Analyst; • Solutions Architect; • Acora (as our managed infrastructure partner for Azure hosting services); ; All employees receive mandatory information security and data protection training at induction and complete annual refresher training. This covers policy compliance, secure working, incident reporting and user responsibilities.; ; To ensure continuous compliance, AdviserPlus carries out:; • Internal audits; • Policy reviews; • Access control reviews; • Monitoring and exception reporting; • Supplier assurance checks; • Regular penetration testing via CREST/Tigerscheme providers; ; This governance framework ensures the empower® service operates securely, consistently and in line with regulatory and contractual obligations.

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: Software developed for empower® follows a secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) and adheres to AdviserPlus’ secure coding standards. Changes to the production environment are strictly controlled through a formal Change Management Policy aligned to ISO/IEC 27001.; ; Changes are:; • Raised, assessed and tracked using Microsoft Azure DevOps; • Reviewed for security, quality and operational impact; • Tested in dedicated non-production environments; • Approved through a Change Advisory Board (CAB); • Deployed via controlled release processes; ; Infrastructure-level configuration changes within Azure are managed by Acora, AdviserPlus’ managed infrastructure partner, and subject to the same governance and approval processes.
• Vulnerability management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Vulnerability management approach: AdviserPlus operates a multi-layered vulnerability management process that identifies and mitigates risks through:; • External and internal penetration testing; • Vulnerability scanning ; • Intrusion detection systems; • Endpoint and malware protection; • Patch management; • Security advisories and threat intelligence monitoring; • Asset management reviews; ; Vulnerabilities are assigned a severity rating and remediated according to defined timeframes:; • Emergency/Security (CVSS 10): within 48 hours; • Critical (CVSS 9–10): within 48 hours; • High (CVSS 7.0–8.9): within 2 weeks (if internet-facing); • Medium/Low (CVSS 0.1–6.9): within 3 months or scheduled development; ; Acora supports patching and infrastructure-level remediation. AdviserPlus manages application-layer remediation.
• Protective monitoring type: Supplier-defined controls
• Protective monitoring approach: AdviserPlus operates a proactive, multi-layered protective monitoring approach designed to identify, assess and respond to potential vulnerabilities and threats using a combination of:; • Intrusion detection and threat monitoring; • Vulnerability scanning; • Anti-malware and endpoint protection; • Security event logging and SIEM analysis; • Patch and configuration monitoring; • Asset and software inventory checks; • External and internal penetration testing; • Security bulletin and threat intelligence review; ; When a vulnerability/security event is detected, AdviserPlus assesses the risk, assigns a severity rating and remediates it in accordance with our defined remediation timescales (e.g. Emergency/CVSS 10 within 48 hours).
• Incident management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Post-quantum cryptography secure: Yes
• Incident management approach: Incidents are logged through the HALO Support Desk, triaged, prioritised and assigned to the appropriate technical team. ; ; First-line Technical Support resolves incidents or escalate to second-line support/development teams/infrastructure operations.; ; If service availability, functionality, performance or client data is impacted, it's classified as a Priority 1 and escalated to AdviserPlus’ Emergency Management Team. ; ; Clients receive:; • Initial notification detailing impact; • Regular status updates via email/Customer Portal ; • Confirmation of service restoration; • Post-Incident Reports (PIR) for major incidents, including root cause analysis, corrective actions and measures taken to prevent recurrence; ; Activity is governed by AdviserPlus’ ISO/IEC 27001-aligned Incident Management Policy.

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Independent review of processes (for example CESG CPA Build Standard, ISO/IEC 27034, ISO/IEC 27001 or CSA CCM v4.0)

Public sector networks

• Connection to public sector networks: No

Pricing

• Discount for educational organisations: Yes
• Free trial available: No

Discount percentage by annual call-off contract value (excluding VAT)

• Less than £250,000: 2.5%
• Between £250,000 and £500,000: 5%
• Between £500,001 and £1,000,000: 7.5%
• Between £1,000,001 and £2,500,000: 10%
• Between £2,500,001 and £5,000,000: 10%
• Over £5,000,001: 10%

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• ISO/IEC 27001 accredited by: British Assessment Bureau
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: Monday 22 September 2025
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: N/A
• ISO 28000:2022 certification: No
• ISO 9001 certification: No
• Quality management systems (QMS): No
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Cyber Essentials Certificate Number: Provided
• Cyber essentials plus: No
• Cyber Essentials Alternative: In relation to the services you do not have a current and valid Cyber Essentials Plus certificate which has been awarded by one of the government approved Cyber Essentials accreditation bodies but you are working towards gaining it, and will be in a position to confirm that you have been awarded a current and valid Cyber Essentials Plus certificate by one of the government approved accreditation bodies within 12 months of the date of award.
• Other security certifications: Yes
• Any other security certifications: ICO Registration

Social value

• Mission: Kick start economic growth:

  To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

  Policy Outcome 1: Fair work: That offers fair wages and good working conditions. Help people get a job, stay in work, and progress in their careers, with good employment opportunities across the country. Notes: Where there is a large proportion of labour costs in the contract, commercial teams should consider MAC in Outcome 1 as a priority

  • New or retained jobs on the contract workforce in the relevant area that meet the criteria set out in MAC 1b, 1c and 1d
  • Providing opportunities for, and measuring and monitoring of, staff workforce conditions over time, including employee engagement, involvement in decision-making and satisfaction and adapting to any changes in the results, with clear processes for acting on issues identified
  • Plans to engage the contract workforce in deciding the most important workplace issues to address
  • Monitoring of employee engagement rates (by protected characteristic) and, where necessary, the development of actions to ensure all voices are heard across the diversity of the workforce
  • Employment contracts that reflect actual hours worked; steps taken to ensure employees understand their contracts and have the ability to review and adjust them if actual hours regularly exceed contracted hours
  • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about, and feel empowered to, address their physical wellbeing
  • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about and feel empowered to report and address bullying and harassment
  • Offer a pay and leave entitlement to all eligible staff who become kinship carers, ideally equivalent to statutory adoption pay and leave
  • Payment of more than the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage (as appropriate) to the contract workforce
  • Monitoring and reporting of gender and ethnicity pay gaps and plans to address them where necessary
  • Entitlement to sick pay for the contract workforce, with provision in place for any staff who do not meet the earnings threshold for statutory sick pay, payment of sick pay from day one of absence and payment of staff on the contract workforce who are off sick a replacement income of 100% of their usual earnings for as long as possible
  • Measures to support in-work progression to help people in the contract workforce, to move into higher paid work by developing new skills relevant to the contract
  • Support for the contract workforce by providing career advice, and providing opportunities for staff working on the contract with in-work progression career development into known skills shortages or high growth areas
  • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
  • Volunteering opportunities for staff
  • Understanding of the modern slavery risks and issues affecting the market, industry, sector or country (of origin or of source) relevant to the contract, and the workforce in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key subcontractors
  • Outline policies and practices to be applied to or put in place for the contract to mitigate and manage modern slavery risks, including: Pre-employment checks, recruitment practices. Workplace conditions, safeguarding plans and processes in place and regular monitoring with relevant groups considered, which may include sampling
  • How to ensure business decisions re: price/cost, short lead times, payment timescales do not create modern slavery risks in the supply chain

  Policy Outcome 2: Skills for growth: Supporting growth sectors and addressing skills gaps.

  • Understanding of employment and relevant skills issues, and of the education and training issues relating to the contract. Illustrative examples: demographics, skills shortages, new opportunities in high growth sectors, geographic/local community and skills/employment challenges
  • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
  • Activities to support relevant sector related skills growth and sustainability in the contract workforce. Illustrative examples: careers talks, curriculum support, literacy support, safety talks and volunteering

  Policy Outcome 3: Resilient, innovative and flexible supply chains: Support economic growth through enabling resilient businesses, opportunities for small businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises

  • Understanding of the types of businesses in the market and the level of participation by new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals
  • Ensuring accessibility to contracting and subcontracting opportunities for disabled business owners and employees
  • Understanding of local demographics, needs and opportunities for the co-design of the goods, services and works to be delivered under the contract
  • Methods for engaging with different parts of the community (including the education system and charities representing the community) and how communities come together to inform decisions, strategy and projects to leave a positive legacy for future generations
  • Plans for positive actions with community groups.
  • Measures to engage users and communities and build relationships to increase community integration build trust and influence how the contract is delivered
• Mission: Make Britain a clean energy superpower:

  To cut bills, create jobs and deliver security with cheaper, zero-carbon electricity by 2030, accelerating to net zero

  Policy Outcome 4: Sustainable procurement practices: Reducing carbon footprints, minimising waste, and promoting the use of clean energy and green technologies.

  • Understanding of opportunities for additional environmental benefits delivery in the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
  • Collaborative ways of working with the supply chain to deliver additional environmental benefits in the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
  • Delivery of additional environmental benefits through the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
  • Activities to reconnect people with the environment and increase awareness of ways to protect and enhance it
• Mission: Break down barriers to opportunity:

  By reforming our childcare and education systems, to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain

  Policy Outcome 6: Employment and training: For those who face barriers to employment

  • Understanding of employment and skills issues, and of the skills and employment shortages of high growth sectors relating to the contract
  • Creation of employment opportunities particularly for those who face barriers to employment, such as prison leavers, care leavers and/or who are located in deprived areas, and for people in industries with known skills shortages or in high growth sectors
  • Understanding of the issues affecting the representation of disabled people in the workforce in the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors
  • Collection of the views and expertise of disabled people and their representative organisations on successfully supporting disabled employees or applicants
  • Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, and retention-focused activities, including those provided in the Guide for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition
  • Introducing transparency to pay and reward processes
  • Offering a range of quality opportunities with routes of progression if appropriate, e.g. T Level industry placements, students supported into higher level apprenticeships.
  • Working conditions which promote an inclusive working environment and promote retention and progression
  • Other measures to provide equality of opportunity for disabled people and those with health conditions into employment, including becoming a Disability Confident employer and inclusion of supported businesses in the contract supply chain
  • Understanding of the issues affecting inequality in employment, skills and pay in the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors. Measures to tackle inequality in employment, skills and pay in the contract workforce
  • Inclusive and accessible development practices, including guidance for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition

  Policy Outcome 7: Creating a pipeline of opportunities: For the contract workforce, reducing barriers to entry for under-represented groups.

  • Understanding of the issues affecting the development of new skills by target cohort
  • Understanding of the underlying factors affecting improvements to reduce barriers to entry and training schemes for the target cohort(s) related to the contract workforce
  • Other measures to offer development opportunities for the target cohort(s) in the contract workforce
  • Understanding of issues relating to entering the contract workforce
  • Creation of outreach activities to create a pipeline of employees for the future contract delivery
• Mission: Build an NHS fit for the future:

  That is there when people need it; with fewer lives lost to the biggest killers; in a fairer Britain, where everyone lives well for longer.

  Policy Outcome 8: Increasing productivity through physical and mental wellbeing: In the supply chain and communities in the relevant area.

  • Understanding of issues relating to health and wellbeing, including physical and mental health, in the contract workforce
  • Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, development practices and retention policies that support-focused activities including those provided in the Guide for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing which support people with a disability or health condition
  • Actions to invest in the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the contract workforce

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at salessupport@adviserplus.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.