SMALL firms across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are being offered the chance to take part in a new pilot providing two days of free HR support. 

The bid is expected to help participating businesses create more quality jobs, recruit the best candidates and prepare for new changes to employment law. 

The trial programme - developed by the CIPD and the Behavioural Insights Team - and delivered by BCP Council aims to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with bespoke HR support. 

Firms eligible must employ between five and 250 employees. 

Ben Willmott, head of public policy at the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said small businesses typically don’t have access to HR support. 

He said: “This pilot will help small businesses across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole get the key foundations of good HR practice in place in areas such as recruitment, job design, flexible working, as well as performance and absence management.  

“The scheme will also help inform government policy on how to deliver effective business support to improve people management capability in SMEs.”  

The launch of the new HR pilot scheme is timely given the raft of changes planned to employment regulation announced in the government’s Employment Rights Bill. 

Michelle Dempster, economic development business officer at BCP Council, said: “Small and medium-sized businesses across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole make a significant contribution to the economy.  

“But they are facing increasing financial pressures and changes to employment legislation that could impact their plans for growth. 

“This is why we are delighted to be delivering this HR pilot. It offers small businesses across our communities a unique opportunity to improve their workplace practices, tackle any workforce or recruitment challenges they have, and understand and prepare for changes to workers’ rights that may impact their business.” 

The evaluation of the HR pilots will explore if this type of bespoke HR support can help to improve productivity and business outcomes for participating firms. 

Eva Myers, director at the Behavioural Insight Team, added the aim is to get "invaluable insights into what works to improve workplace recruitment and retention of employees”.