Practical HR support when things feel complex. Clear advice. Calm handling. Fair outcomes.
HR simplified. Straight-talking. Commercially sound.
Practical, no-nonsense HR advice to help you navigate people issues confidently, minimise risk, and achieve outcomes that work for both your business and your people.
I work best with organisations that want to do the right thing, value fair treatment, and are open to practical, proportionate advice.
About
We provide support to organisations with sensitive people matters - from grievances and investigations to restructures, recruitment to training and also ongoing HR support - with a practical, balanced approach that focuses on resolution, not red tape.
At ED People Solutions, we support organisations to manage their people with confidence, clarity, and care.
I'm Ellen Dean, founder of ED People Solutions, and I bring over 20 years' experience in Human Resources, gained across the private sector and most recently within healthcare services.
We provide outsourced HR support to small and medium-sized businesses that don't have an in-house HR function. This is typically delivered on a retained basis, giving organisations consistent, trusted support and pragmatic advice as people matters arise.
I also offer one-off, on-demand HR support for organisations that need expert guidance on complex or sensitive employee relations issues. This includes support with fitness-to-practise matters, probationary period management, grievances, investigations, disciplinary hearings, appeals, and change programmes such as restructures and redundancies.
Alongside advisory work, we deliver training and development to help managers and leaders build confidence in managing their people well. Training can be delivered as standalone sessions - for example, probationary period management, which is particularly relevant in light of upcoming employment legislation - or as part of a wider programme.
I also lead our Leadership Development Programme, a series of practical modules designed to strengthen line manager capability. The programme focuses on approach, framing, and wording, equipping managers with the confidence and tools to handle conversations effectively and achieve positive outcomes for both the business and its people.
Ellen Dean
Founder, ED People Solutions
Bespoke HR solutions for your business needs
Ad-hoc Solutions
Responsive support when you need it, without commitment. Used to obtain advice, triage call, policy question or disciplinary/ER check-in. Pay only for what you need, at standard hourly rate.
Monthly Retainer Solutions
When you need HR help on an ongoing basis and don't want to pay by the hour, a monthly retainer might be the option for you. As much dedicated advice and support for your business, as you need, from half a day (maximum 4 hours) a month upwards (in half day units).
Ideal for a dedicated half day on-site: HR review, investigation meetings, etc. Any unused time can be rolled across to the following month.
Annual Retainer Solutions
My annual retainer package provides priority access, continuity, and cost certainty, allowing me to really understand and support your business objectives. The package is priced at a preferential rate compared to ad-hoc day rates, reflecting our business relationship, commitment and predictable demand.
Additional Services
One-off Project Work
Ideal for when you have a plan to achieve a particular piece of work, for example a recruitment campaign for a critical post, a change project you need help with such as a restructure or redundancy, maybe a disciplinary or grievance investigation. No matter how big or small the project, let's chat.
Projects priced individually, based on complexity and time requirements.
Leadership Development Training
Do you need your line managers to feel confident in addressing HR queries? Are the new legislation changes feeling overwhelming for your business? I can offer line management training to support your people managers to manage with confidence and compassion, understanding 'the why' i.e. risk awareness.
Training priced individually, based on topic, number of attendees and time requirements.
Why Choose Us
I always say that small and medium sized business owners 'wear a lot of hats', i.e. are responsible for a variety of completely unrelated parts of their organisation and are usually juggling competing priorities.
One major HR incident (e.g., disciplinary investigation, compliance lapse, poorly handled contract termination) can cost far more than routine HR advisory support, including significant time and often, a lot of worry.
This is where I come in, as your trusted HR expert.
Investing in specialist HR support means you're buying risk-mitigation, operational stability, and strategic workforce advantage, taking the weight from your shoulders.
How We Work Together
Get in touch for a confidential, no-pressure conversation. We will book in for a free 30-minute phone call or virtual video call. I'll help you understand your options and the best way forward.
Let's schedule a free 30-minute consultation (remote) to assess your current HR/people risks and priorities (staffing, agency usage, Employee Relations risk, recruitment challenges).
Based on our conversation I'll provide you a scope and fee-estimate aligned to your needs (either one-off or retainer model).
If you decide to proceed, we'll establish a written service-agreement (hours scope, reporting, deliverables, review points).
We'll track outcomes monthly (hours used, results achieved) so you can see real value and decide whether to extend or scale.
What Our Clients Say
I have had the good fortune to work alongside Ellen for an extended period. She is an extremely reputable HR professional with whom I have had the utmost trust and confidence. I could not recommend her more highly.
Ellen and I worked together on multiple HR projects over several years. I found her judgement is sound, her advice practical and she consistently supports business leaders with clear thoughtful advice on complex people issues.
If you lead people and need simple, pragmatic advice, then contact Ellen. Her support is top-notch, professional and reliable. Highly recommend!