Horizon Care & Education had an HR system with strong potential but was not yet configured to support efficient working. Their IT System Administrator wanted to optimise processes and reduce manual tasks, but needed one-to-one expert guidance. Phase 3 partnered with Horizon to transform system use, streamline workflows and build internal capability through practical support and skill development. As a result, Horizon has resolved long-standing issues, reduced administrative effort and continues to evolve its digital systems in a sustainable way.
Horizon Care & Education provides specialist education, therapeutic care and supported accommodation for children and young people across England. The organisation operates a network of independent specialist schools, children’s homes and supported living services, each designed to provide safe, nurturing environments and tailored support that help young people develop and thrive. With a strong focus on quality care and long-term outcomes, Horizon is committed to continual improvement across its services.
HR system not fully optimised for day-to-day use
Manual processes creating unnecessary admin effort
IT lead keen to improve but needed expert guidance
Managed support focused on skills, not just fixes
Horizon’s HR system was in place but not delivering maximum value. Manual processes, data inaccuracies and workflows that were not fully optimised created unnecessary administrative burden and made it harder to manage key activities efficiently. Absence reporting in particular was proving difficult, with incorrect leave balances and accruals leading to frequent queries.
The IT System Administrator was eager to tackle these issues and drive digital transformation, but needed regular expert support that would help him solve problems as they occurred and build confidence along the way. Horizon wanted a collaborative partner who could help resolve existing issues while also upskilling their team.
Phase 3 worked closely with Horizon to understand how their HR system was used day-to-day and where improvements would have the biggest impact. Rather than just fixing isolated problems, our consultants provided ongoing one-to-one support, guiding the IT System Administrator through each challenge and filling knowledge gaps with practical explanations.
Together we reviewed and corrected the absence management configuration so that accruals and balances calculated accurately, and introduced automation to reduce manual work. This approach not only resolved legacy issues but helped Horizon’s team learn to operate the system more confidently and efficiently.
Through Phase 3’s Managed Service, Horizon gained a trusted support partner and experienced consultants who work with the internal team on real issues as they arise. Absence queries that once occurred frequently are now resolved at source, reducing time spent on administration. Workflows are smoother and more reliable, and automation has freed up internal resources for higher value work. Horizon continues to make the most of its HR system and is equipped to drive further improvements with ongoing support in place.
Ongoing one-to-one managed system support
Practical guidance for real operational challenges
Absence setup review and process optimisation
Payroll support aligned with HR system workflows
The partnership between Horizon and Phase 3 continues to grow. After seeing the value of ongoing managed support, Horizon renewed their service for a second year. Our consultants continue to work side by side with their IT System Administrator, providing guidance on new challenges as they arise and helping translate complex functionality into practical improvements.
Alongside this, Phase 3 now supports Horizon with their payroll system, ensuring accurate configuration, smooth integration with their HR processes and reliable operation. This evolving collaboration means Horizon can focus on strategic priorities, knowing that everyday system challenges are handled and their team’s skills continue to develop..
If your organisation wants to make the most of its people technology and free up internal capacity for strategic work, speak to the Phase 3 team.
