HR Foundations
Confident your HR is in good shape? Or genuinely not sure?
If your business has grown quickly, never had formal HR in place, or simply hasn't reviewed its people paperwork in a while, it's surprisingly easy to drift out of date. Outdated contracts, missing policies and inconsistent practices don't just create legal risk, they make day-to-day people management harder than it needs to be.
HR Foundations is our complete reset. We audit everything, fix what needs fixing, and hand you back a tidy, compliant, plain-English set of HR documents and practices that match how your business actually works.
It's a one-off investment that gives you a stronger platform for everything that comes next.
BOOK A FREE CALLHR Foundations is our complete reset. We audit everything, fix what needs fixing, and hand you back a tidy, compliant, plain-English set of HR documents and practices that match how your business actually works.
It's a one-off investment that gives you a stronger platform for everything that comes next.
Why businesses choose HR Foundations
Here's what you get from a proper HR reset and why our clients tell us it's one of the best decisions they've made for their business.
A clear picture of where you stand
No guesswork. You'll receive a scored audit report based on our Fair Employer® Standard, aligned with UK employment law, so you know exactly what's working, what's missing and what needs fixing.
Documents that match how you really work
Generic templates don't cut it. We take the time to understand how your business actually operates and write your contracts, policies and manager guidance to fit and in plain English, not legal jargon.
Compliance you can trust
With employment law moving fast, it's easy to fall behind. HR Foundations brings everything up to date with current legislation and the 2026 reforms, giving you a defensible, up-to-date position from day one.
Confidence for your managers
We hand everything over with a knowledge session and your line managers get clear, practical frameworks they can actually use to help put them all into practice.
A platform for growth
Once your foundations are solid, everything else gets easier, from recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and restructures. You're building on stone, not sand.
Delivered in weeks, not months
We work efficiently. Most HR Foundations engagements are delivered start-to-finish in a matter of weeks, not the drawn-out months you might expect from a national consultancy.
Not sure if HR Foundations is right for you?
Have a no-obligation chat with one of our HR specialists. We'll help you weigh it up — honestly.
Arrange a free consultationHow HR Foundations works
We work through three clear stages, each building on the last, to deliver a thorough, practical outcome tailored to your business.
Full HR audit
We carry out a thorough audit of your current contracts, policies and day-to-day working practices. You'll receive a scored report based on our Fair Employer® Standard, with clear recommendations and a risk-based view of what needs attention first. We deliver your full audit and recommendations in person.
We do the work
We update everything to match how your business actually operates. All documents are written in plain English and include contracts, policies and, where needed, straightforward guidance for you and your managers all ready for review, discussion and approval.
Training and implementation
Finally, we run a training and knowledge session to support implementation, making sure everything is rolled out smoothly and without fuss. You'll move forward with clarity, confidence and a stronger foundation for managing people.
Practical HR Support for Growing Businesses
At Humber HR People, we help ambitious businesses with 5-250 employees to get HR right. From contracts and compliance to people management and frameworks or complex exits and restructures, we make HR work for your business. No jargon. No call centres. Just smart, flexible HR advice from a team that understands what it’s like to run a busy, growing company.
BOOK A FREE CALLIs HR Foundations right for your business?
HR Foundations is a particularly good fit if:
- You’ve grown quickly and your HR hasn’t kept up
- You’ve never had formal HR documentation in place
- Your contracts and handbook were written years ago and haven’t been touched since
- You’re preparing for investment, sale or significant growth
- You want a clean, defensible position before tackling anything bigger
- You’re moving from another HR provider and want a fresh start
What happens after HR Foundations?
Once your foundations are in place, you can choose to move on to one of our cost-effective monthly HR support packages to stay legal, supported and on track as employment law evolves.
Explore our monthly HR packagesMost businesses start with HR Protect or HR Protect+ for ongoing day-to-day support, then add HR Invest as their team grows, and bring in HR Partner+ when they need more strategic direction.
There's no obligation, but if you'd like to keep going, we'll make it seamless.
Frequently asked questions
How much does HR Foundations cost?
HR Foundations is a one-off investment of between £2,300 and £3,450 + VAT, depending on the size and complexity of your business. We’ll give you a clear, fixed-fee quote after our initial consultation, with no hidden extras.
How long does it take?
Most HR Foundations engagements are delivered in a matter of weeks from kick-off to handover.
Do I have to commit to an ongoing retainer afterwards?
No. HR Foundations is a standalone service. Many clients do choose to continue with one of our monthly packages, but there’s no obligation.
Who delivers the work?
Your audit and documents are produced by CIPD-qualified HR experts from our local Humber team. The same person who audits your business is involved throughout. No handovers, no offshoring.