Outsourced HR for small businesses that run on their people.
For owners and managers with up to 50 staff: cafés and restaurants, cleaning and facilities firms, shops, security teams, salons, gyms, care services and nurseries. An HR consultant you can call on when you need one, without the cost of an HR manager.
What an outsourced HR consultant does for a small business
You get the HR side of a bigger company, sized for a team of 5 or 50. You're probably already treating people well. I help you put the paperwork and processes behind it, so everyone knows where they stand as you grow.
Getting the basics in place
- Written statements and contracts that match the hours and roles people really work
- An employee handbook and the handful of policies you'll actually use
- Recruitment, right to work checks, induction and probation done properly
- Managers who know how to handle a people issue early
When something comes up
- Sickness and absence, including return-to-work conversations
- Performance concerns and the conversation you've been putting off
- Disciplinaries and grievances, handled fairly (Employee Relations Support)
- Rota disputes and changes to hours or contracts
How it works: pay for what you need, grow into the rest
No long contract to start. Most businesses begin with a single session or a health check, then decide whether ongoing support is worth it.
| Step | What happens | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Free call | Twenty minutes to talk through what's going on. If I'm not the right fit, I'll say so. | Free |
| 2a. HR Advice Session | One situation, document or question, with a written summary and up to two ready-to-use documents. | £125, 60 minutes |
| 2b. HR Health Check | A written once-over of what you already have: what's working, the gaps worth closing first and next steps. | £395, fixed fee |
| 3a. Rooted | Up to 2 hours a month on contracts, policies, absence and probation, with policy updates when the law changes. No minimum term. | From £245 a month |
| 3b. Flourishing | Up to 5 hours a month, a monthly check-in and a quarterly people review. | From £445 a month |
| Any time: projects | Fixed-fee work such as an HR Foundations Pack (handbook, core policies and a contract template). | From £750 |
Retainer prices rise with team size. No VAT is added. Compare every option.
HR helpline, HR consultant or HR manager?
Three common ways small businesses get HR help. Here's how they differ.
| HR helpline | The Pocket HR | In-house HR manager | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who you speak to | Whoever is on shift | Me, Arrun, every time | Your own employee |
| Knows your business | Usually starts from scratch each call | Yes, and your team and history | Yes |
| Documents | General templates to adapt yourself | Written or adapted for how you work | Written in house |
| Commitment | Depends on the provider | Pay as you go, or a retainer with no minimum term on Rooted | A salary and on-costs |
| Best for | Quick answers when something goes wrong | Small teams that want an expert who knows them | Larger businesses, often 50+ staff |
Who I work with
I specialise in care and early years, where the regulator checks your staff files, and I work with any small business where the team is really what customers are paying for.
Specialist pages
Also a good fit
- Hospitality, cafés and restaurants
- Cleaning and facilities
- Retail, security, leisure and fitness
- Salons, clinics and small charities
One adviser, not a call centre
You'll deal with me, Arrun Greaves, every time. I'm CIPD Level 7, I run The Pocket HR myself, and I'd rather tell you that you don't need me than sell you something you don't.
Support is by appointment, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. If you have more than 50 staff, a bigger in-house team may suit you better. More about me.
"Arrun has been amazing, insightful and patient. He has helped me build out my HR policies for my Family Support Agency. He assisted in making sure we are fully legally compliant and making sure our policies are suitable for such a sensitive industry. Would highly recommend him!"
Questions small business owners ask
What does an outsourced HR consultant do?
An outsourced HR consultant does the HR work a small business doesn't have an HR person for: contracts, policies, recruitment, absence, performance and employee relations. You call on them when you need them, or keep them on a monthly retainer.
How much does outsourced HR cost for a small business?
With me, an advice session is £125, an HR Health Check is £395, and monthly retainers start at £245 depending on team size. No VAT is added, and every fee is agreed before I start.
Do I need HR support with only a few staff?
You don't need a lot, but a few basics matter from your first hire. My guides on hiring your first employee and reaching five employees cover what to have in place, and there's a free first employee checklist. Growing past 10? Get the HR checklist for 10 to 50 staff.
Can I just use HR templates?
Templates are a good start if you have the time to adapt them. My HR policy templates are a low-cost option, and I can tailor a set for you if you'd rather not.
What happens if a case goes to an employment tribunal?
I'll refer you to an employment solicitor and can support alongside them at my hourly rate. Most of my work is about getting things right early so it doesn't come to that.
Do you only work in Croydon and London?
No. I'm based in Croydon and work with businesses across the UK by phone, email and video call, and on site where it helps.
Talk it through first.
Twenty minutes, no charge. Tell me about your business and what's on your mind, and I'll tell you honestly what would help most.
Book Your 20-Minute Discovery CallNot ready to talk? Get the free HR Foundations Checklist