New government-backed trial set to highlight the value of professional HR consultancy for SMEs

The CIPD is working with the Behavioural Insights Team on a government-funded pilot scheme to demonstrate the value that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can glean from professional HR support. Small firms all over the UK can apply to take part in a new pilot scheme which will offer them up to two days of free, high-quality, bespoke HR consultancy provided by CIPD members who operate as independent HR consultants’ 
 
With the Government’s Employment Rights Bill set to introduce significant new legislation, the trial will provide valuable insights on how to support small firms in improving how they manage people and comply with any changes to the law. The pilot is part of a new, time-limited randomised control trial designed to explore how providing access to high-quality HR support can help SMEs improve their recruitment and retention practices, support efforts to improve labour market participation, and improve productivity and business outcomes for participating firms.   

The trial programme has been developed by the CIPD and the Behavioural Insights Team thanks to funding from the UK Government – all in support of the CIPD’s charitable purpose to champion better work and working lives. It also includes three local HR support pilots for SMEs being run with Angus Council in Scotland, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Tees Valley Combined Authority.  
 
The results of the trial will help inform government policy on how best to design business support services and provide robust evidence with which the CIPD and its members can champion the role of independent HR consultants in helping small businesses to thrive.