HR for charities and non-profit organisations

How our employment law & HR solicitors can help charities

At Stephensons, we specialise in providing expert HR policies for charities and not-for-profit organisations, helping you manage your people effectively while remaining fully compliant with employment law and regulatory obligations. Our team understands the unique pressures charities face — from limited budgets and volunteer involvement to governance and safeguarding responsibilities — and offers practical, sector-specific solutions that work in the real world.

Our charity HR services are designed to support organisations of all sizes, whether you're building HR processes from the ground up or need expert input on a specific challenge. We offer comprehensive HR services for charities including policy development, contract drafting, grievance and disciplinary advice, performance management, and training for leadership and trustees.

If you need flexible, on-demand HR support for charities, we can act as an extension of your team, providing day-to-day guidance or step-by-step support through complex people issues. Our solicitors and consultants deliver timely, accurate HR advice for charities, helping you avoid risk and maintain fair, lawful practices across your organisation.

Stephensons also provides a reliable HR service for charities looking for long-term partnerships. Our clients benefit from tailored HR frameworks, ongoing consultancy and a named adviser who understands your charity’s objectives and operational needs.

Through our charity HR consultancy, we work with faith groups, social enterprises, educational charities, grant-making bodies and community-based organisations — offering trusted, strategic advice and guidance rooted in deep sector knowledge.

For employment-related matters, our legal team offers clear, practical charity employment law advice, including support with redundancies, restructures, TUPE transfers and Employment Tribunal claims. We also advise on managing volunteers, safeguarding concerns, and board-level disputes — all handled with care, confidentiality and a focus on protecting your cause.

Whether you need occasional input or a full-service HR partner, Stephensons is here to provide expert charity HR advice and support that’s aligned with your mission and values.

HR challenges in non-profit and charities

When it comes to many charities and non-profits, their HR needs and challenges will be unique to every organisation, but common areas that need attention usually include:

• Health and safety issues that are project-specific i.e. there may be many areas to cover depending on the scope of what the charity or organisation does
• Employing staff
• Employing volunteers
• Compliance with all areas of employment law
• Operating within any applicable regulatory guidelines e.g. The Charity Commission

HR policies for charities and non-profits can be complex, due to the need to take into account different types of workers as well as meeting any regulatory guidelines for third sector organisations along with the standard UK requirements with employment law.

The consequences of getting things wrong in relation to HR in the charity sector can be serious, with potentially costly results if there are health and safety law breaches or employment tribunals. This is why it can be very beneficial for these organisations to consider specific charity HR services with extensive experience in this specialist area.

Why choose us to provide HR support for charities and non-profits?

We can offer specialist HR advice for charities and non-profits on a fixed-fee basis, meaning that you always have access to the expertise you need and can rest assured that all of your documentation, policies, procedures and other requirements are in place and compliant with all of the necessary guidelines.

One of the benefits of this type of outsourced HR for non-profits and charities is that this service is fixed in cost, so it can easily be budgeted for and there are no nasty surprises. 

Our service also includes employment protection insurance to cover the cost of defending employment tribunal claims in the event that this is required.

Get in touch to find out more about our fixed cost HR systems for charities and non-profit organisations by calling 0161 696 6170.