Class 5: How we manage our human, physical & information resources
Information about how we manage the human, physical and information resources of the authority.
Updated: 20 May 2021
Human resources
This section covers information on the college’s strategy and management of human resources, rather than information relating to individual members of staff (which is exempt from disclosure). For further information in relation to HR or staff development please contact:
Human Resources Manager
Inverness College UHI
1 Inverness Campus
Inverness
IV2 5NA
Telephone: +44 (0)1463 273223
Email: HRservices.ic@uhi.ac.uk
Staff profile
The college holds statistical information within its human resources system for example, staff headcount, full time equivalent (FTE), staff turnover, sickness absence, age, gender, ethnicity, disability. This is monitored quarterly and reported annually to the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Management.
Recruitment policies
The college has a staff recruitment and selection policy. All vacancies are advertised on the college website. Guidance notes to aid applicants in the completion of the application form are also available on the college website.
The pre-employment procedures include screening in relation to safeguarding and references. In line with specific criteria, some posts also require financial checks and health surveillance screening. The college has a protection of children and adults at risk policy. Information regarding the staff PVG scheme can be found here.
Employment terms
The college is a signatory to the National Recognition and Procedural Agreement (NRPA). The college also has a local National Recognition and Procedures Agreement which sets out the recognised Trade Unions and arrangements for consultation. Academic Staff representation is recognised through the Education Institute of Scotland Further Education Lecturers Association (EIS/FELA) as the sole representative of the professional Academic staff of the College up to but excluding posts on the Senior Management Team. Support Staff up to and excluding those on the Senior Management Team are served by GMB and UNISON. Recognition in relation to all matters relating to terms and conditions of employment is provided by way of the national NJNC.
Information about both sets of terms and conditions is available from the HR Department. Current salary scales for support and academic staff are available on request.
Performance management
The college has a Professional Development Review (PDR) arrangement in place for staff. This includes a comprehensive personal skills framework and guidance. Annual PDR records are held within the HR information system.
The procedure is designed to encourage individual staff members to perform to the best of their ability and thus contribute to the overall success of the college. The purpose of the review is to look back at targets and standards achieved and provide an assessment record of performance.
Looking forward, it enables us to focus on individual, team and college improvements. It's an opportunity to recognise achievements and celebrate successes, strengthen relationships and improve teamwork.
Pensions
The college operates two pension schemes: The Scottish Teachers Superannuation Scheme administered by the Scottish Public Pensions Agency for teaching staff and the Local Government Pension Scheme administered by Highland Council for support staff. For further information on the Scottish Public Pensions Agency, please visit their website or the Highland Council website.
Discipline and grievance
The college's disciplinary policy, information security policy and grievance policy best practice as determined by the ACAS Code of Practice. The college has a staff code of conduct policy outlining the conduct expected from staff.
Public interest disclosure
In compliance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act, the college has a public interest disclosure policy.
Staff development
We recognise the importance of developing our staff to equip them with the skills and capabilities to perform their job to the highest standard. We offer everyone a comprehensive programme of development which will support individuals in the improvement of job-related competence, professional development and personal growth, including the opportunity to increase their level of qualifications.
The college has a staff development policy and procedure and provides a mandatory corporate induction for all new staff and an additional longitudinal one year learning and teaching induction for teaching staff.
The college provides staff training throughout the academic year including four scheduled staff development days and an annual all staff conference. Staff book internal training through the HR information system and make application for additional training through external providers in accordance with their own professional development requirements.
Staff records
The college has clear policies on the collection, maintenance and use of personal information regarding staff which are in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and in line the General Data Protection Regulations (2018). The college has a data protection policy and information security policy.
Physical resources
Estate overview
Main campus
1 Inverness Campus, Inverness IV2 5NA
Inverness College UHI is the first and largest occupier of the new Inverness Campus which opened in the summer of 2015. The campus development is one of the most ambitious projects in the area for many years and will create significant economic and demographic impacts across the region.
The Main Campus is arranged on three floors and has a gross internal space of circa 19,500 sq m and delivers a wide variety of further, higher and short education courses. The building features a full height atrium to the main entrances and views to the lochan to the north-east of the building.
The Main Campus is complimented with a separate circa 266 sq m Early Learning and Childcare Centre building within its 9.5 acre grounds to provide education for early years and pre-school.
Scottish School of Forestry
Viewhill, Balloch, Inverness IV2 5EA
The new building at the Scottish School of Forestry was occupied by staff and students in May 2015 and is a single storey building with a gross internal floor space of circa 672 sq m providing a multi-functional learning space.
Within the 10 hectare grounds there are the E, F & G blocks still utilised as workshops with E block having been given a full refurbishment. In 2017 we designed and installed a new bespoke wood chip storage facility. In 2018 major refurbishments where undertaken to our tractor shed to convert the shed into a fully insulated heating building to accommodate our expanding curriculum.
Maintenance
The Main Campus and Scottish School of Forestry buildings are under a hard facilties maintenance contract being delivered by Galliford Try Facilities Management. This is closely monitored by Inverness College to ensure the terms and conditions of the maintenance contract are upheld.
The Early Learning and Childcare Centre at Invernss Campus and E, F & G blocks at Scottish School of Forestry are the maintenance responsibility of Inverness College and each has a detailed and robust planned and preventative maintenance schedule.
The reporting of all faults, defects and breakdowns remains as one helpdesk point of contact for simplicity for all building users.
Periodic reviews of key risk assessments and management are undertaken in respect of fire safety and access including access for disabled users.
Estates development plans
The Estates Strategy sets out the estates development plan including further refurbishment of facilities at the Scottish School of Forestry.
Environmental
Travel plan
The Inverness College Travel Plan aims to promote environmentally friendly methods of transport to and from its campuses. It outlines walking, cycle and bus routes whilst promoting car sharing.
Waste management
Landfill avoidance has continued to improve from our baseline of 53% in 2018 to 74% YTD 2019. Plan is to achieve 95% by 2020.The college has a waste management policy.
Energy
Energy consumption for heating in the new buildings is designed to be efficient with biomass and ground source heating technology. The consumption of utilities are analysed and actions developed in line with our Carbon Management Plan. GTFM are a key player in the development and implementation of improvements.
Information resources
The College has a data protection policy.
If any person wishes to make a subject access request, the College has a subject access request form and guidance available.
Records management policy, including records retention schedule.
Information governance/asset management policies and procedures
Inverness College UHI has an Information Security Policy.
Knowledge management policies and procedures
Inverness College UHI does not hold this information.
List of statistical information published by Inverness College UHI
A comprehensive set of data is published on the Scottish Funding Council website including Further Education Statistical and Higher Education Statistical Returns made by the College can be accessed from the Scottish Funding Council website.