Navigating con&inv

Navigating Difficult Conversations and Workplace Investigations Training Course

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Navigating Difficult Conversations, fact finding techniques Logo

Navigating Difficult Conversations, Fact Finding Techniques and Workplace Investigations Training Course

Today’s schools operate in an environment where expectations are high and challenges are complex. Leaders are often required to address sensitive issues, from managing absence and performance concerns to investigating allegations of misconduct or safeguarding breaches. These situations demand confidence, clarity, and a strong understanding of best practice.

Handled well, these processes build trust and reinforce a culture of fairness. Handled poorly, they can lead to grievances, reputational damage, and risk to pupil safety.  By investing in this course, you will empower your school or trust with stronger leadership skills, boost confidence in tackling complex issues, and reduce operational risk by staying aligned with the latest ACAS guidance and safeguarding legislation.

HR Connect’s NEW training equips school leaders and managers with the skills and frameworks to approach these situations professionally and lawfully. Through two interactive, in person sessions, you will learn how to:

  • Module 1: Navigating Difficult Conversations: Gain practical strategies to address performance, conduct, and wellbeing concerns with confidence, empathy, and consistency.
  • Module 2: Fact-Finding and Workplace Investigations: Learn the legal and procedural requirements for fact-finding, planning, and conducting investigations, gathering evidence, interviewing fairly and robustly and producing clear defensible reports; all within a structured approach to all employee relations decisions.

This training goes beyond theory. Through real life education based scenarios, and practical questioning techniques, you will build the confidence to manage challenging behaviours and conduct investigation meetings calmly effectively and with professional empathy.

Expect step‑by‑step guidance, hands‑on exercises, and real life education based scenarios. The day is split into two half‑day sessions, with lunch and refreshments included. The day will run from 9.30am-16.30pm.

*Training is delivered in person: KCS, Papyrus Way, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7FE (free on site parking available) 

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Course Dates + Booking Forms >>

Course Outline/Topics >>

Course Delivery Team >>

 

Select your preferred date and book your space on our course now! £225 + VAT per delegate

 

 

 

About the course

The course is delivered in person and is led by experienced HR Consultants who support these processes throughout the year. Their expertise ensures participants receive practical, up-to-date advice and guidance, enabling leadership teams to manage difficult conversations, fact finding and investigation processes confidently and effectively.

Venue

KCS Map

Training is delivered in person: KCS, Papyrus Way, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7FE (free on site parking available) 

Can’t make these dates?

We can also deliver this course as a bespoke session, tailored specifically for your school, Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), or other educational setting, either face-to-face or virtually, depending on your needs. Please get in contact to discuss your requirements by emailing us at info@hrconnect.org.uk

Who Should Attend?

  • Headteachers 
  • Senior Leaders
  • Line Managers
  • HR Professionals
  • School Business Managers

Why Choose This Training?

  • Delivered by experienced HR professionals
  • Practical, real life learning with education based scenarios
  • Fully aligned with UK employment law and education sector requirements

Course Outline - Navigating Difficult Conversations

Legal & Policy Framework

Legal and Policy Framework– 

  • Develop a thorough understanding of the relevant legal and policy frameworks (Employment Rights Act, Equality Act, ACAS Code, STPCD, KCSIE) and recognise the importance of process and consistency
  • Understanding ACAS principles consistently prevents claims of procedural unfairness.

Effective Preparation

Effective Preparation – 

  • Learn how to prepare effectively by collecting all relevant facts and evidence, reviewing applicable policies, establishing clear objectives, anticipating potential reactions, and crafting effective opening statements.
  • Thorough preparation builds confidence and supports defensible decisions

Communication Under Pressure

Communication Under Pressure:

  • Discuss how to communicate effectively under pressure
  • Using structured responses and active listening techniques during heated discussions

Constructive Feedback

Constructive Feedback:

  • Develop how to provide clear, constructive feedback by applying established methods known to produce positive outcomes.
  • Using empathy statements and pause techniques to diffuse tension.

Manage resistance & emotions

Manage resistance & emotions:

  • Understand how to manage resistance and emotional responses appropriately.
  • Using empathy statements and pause techniques to diffuse tension

 

Decision Making and Thresholds

Decision Making and Thresholds:

  • Carefully determine whether to seek informal resolution or initiate formal escalation, ensuring consistent application of thresholds (e.g. minor/isolated vs. repeated/serious vs. safeguarding concerns).
  • Ensuring consistent decisions to reduce bias and protect both employees and the School

Course Outline - Workplace Investigations 

Fact Finding V Investigation

Fact Finding V Investigation

  • Understand the difference between fact finding and investigations.

Initiating an Investigation

Initiating an Investigation: 

  • Learn how to identify the right point to initiate an investigation including defining clear terms of reference and managing any potential conflicts of interest.
  • Ensuring scope and roles upfront to avoid bias or procedural challenges

Legal & Policy Framework

Legal & Policy Framework –

  • Understand what makes an investigation legally sound, including the Burchell principles (genuine belief, reasonable grounds, and reasonable investigation)
  • Aligning with the ACAS Code of Practice

Planning & Questioning

Planning and Questioning:

  • Develop skills for planning structured question sets, using open questioning techniques
  • Maintaining confidentiality while capturing accurate notes. 

Fact Finding and Creditability

Fact Finding and Creditability:

  • Distinguish fact from opinion and ensure assessment of credibility,
  • Consider equality impacts and reasonable adjustments

Final Report and Recommendations

Final Report and Recommendations:

  • Learn how to structure your findings and evidence logically in the Investigation report
  • Make recommendations that withstand scrutiny

 

Working with HR and Safeguarding

Working with HR and Safeguarding:

  • Understand how to work alongside HR and safeguarding teams, and sequence actions if formal procedures become necessary.

Course Delivery Team

Debbie Headshot

Debbie Hough - HR Specialist

Debbie is a CIPD Level 7-qualified HR Specialist with over 20 years’ experience, primarily in the education sector. Specialising in complex employee relations matter, investigations, safeguarding, HR policy and strategy. Debbie is also a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the wider Commercial Services Group.

In addition to her safeguarding expertise, Debbie is one of the lead Investigation Officers at HR Connect, where she conducts safeguarding, disciplinary, grievance, bullying, and harassment investigations for schools and academies. As an accredited Safer Recruitment trainer, she delivers training aligned with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and works closely with LADOs and multi-agency partners to embed safeguarding into everyday HR practice.

Tom Worf

Tom Worf - HR Consultant

Tom Worf is an experienced HR Consultant at HR Connect, he specialises in Employee Relations , Investigations, and HR Skills Training, providing pragmatic, legally sound guidance on disciplinary, grievance, performance/capability, and absence management.

Tom leads and supports complex investigation assignments, producing clear, evidence based reports and recommendations. He designs and delivers practical ER training for managers and HR teams covering topics such as Conducting Investigations, Chairing disciplinary and grievance hearings, and Fair decision making aligned with UK employment law and the ACAS Code of Practice. Known for his calm, solutions focused approach, Tom helps Schools and Academies embed consistent ER practices, build manager capability, and strengthen HR governance.

Cost and Booking

  • £225 for both sessions (+ VAT) per delegate (free lunch included)
  • Book 2 or more places and receive a 10% discount

Book Tuesday 24th February now >>

Book Thursday 26th February now >>

Format

  • Duration: 1 day, morning and afternoon sessions with lunch provided 
  • Delivery: In person, KCS, New Hythe Lane, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7FE (on site parking available)

 

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