Utilising recruitment agencies when hiring permanent social work staff
Permanent recruitment in the social work industry refers to the process of hiring social workers or managers for long-term, permanent contracts within a local authority, charity or private organisation. These roles offer long-term stability for both the employer,the social worker, and most importantly, the end user.
A permanent recruiter will learn about the role, and employer and delve into what makes it an attractive opportunity. The employer will provide workplace benefits and is subject to follow regulations that provide greater protections around workplace rights and job stability compared to temporary roles.
Benefits of permanent recruitment:
Cost Effective
Permanent recruitment is more cost-effective in the long run, as it often leads to lower overall costs. Although the initial hiring cost may be higher, reduced turnover, increased employee loyalty and savings on repeated training and recruitment processes make it a great choice.
Stability & Security
A permanent social worker has the stability and security of a continuous income stream, while the employer has a stable workforce. A stable workforce can positively impact an employer's reputation and help to attract high-quality job seekers in the future.
By hiring permanent social workers, the consistency of care for people they support and understanding of the individual needs will be greater.
Quality of Candidates
When using a recruitment agency, all potential social work candidates will be pre-vetted by an experienced recruiter. This will ensure the employer is only receiving the highest quality candidates.
A permanent recruitment consultant will have built a network, allowing them to source social work candidates quickly. By having access to a large database and advertising network, passive job seekers will be found.
The process of perm recruitment:
The permanent recruitment process generally follows these steps, although each business operates differently:
Qualify the vacancy.
The consultant will discuss the vacancy and requirements with the hiring manager to fully understand what they are working.
Advertise vacancy & headhunt
The role will be advertised to the permanent social work consultant’s network via job boards, email marketing and social media. The consultant may also headhunt specific candidates.
Vet potential candidates.
The consultant will thoroughly vet any potential candidates, ensuring they are committed, suitable and understand the job role.
Introduce the candidate to the hiring manager.
The social work candidate will be introduced to the hiring manager via a CV and email or phone call.
Schedule a meeting between shortlisted candidates and the client.
Meetings may include multiple-stage interviews, informal chats or coordinating tasks and assessments.
Offer delivery.
The successful candidate will be offered the role by the consultant. The start date, salary and benefits will be communicated and agreed.
Assistance with compliance checks.
The consultant can chase references and assist with liaising between the candidate and the client.
Aftercare
Once the candidate has begun their new job, the recruitment consultant will have regular check-ins with both the client and the candidate to ensure it is all running smoothly.
Why Charles Hunter Associates?
At Charles Hunter Associates, we pride ourselves on being a trusted partner in recruitment, offering tailored support to meet your hiring needs. With access to a vast database of qualified candidates and a strong presence across job boards and social media platforms, we ensure maximum visibility for your vacancies. Our well-established reputation and brand awareness further enhance our ability to attract top talent.
Every client is supported by a dedicated, highly trained consultant who provides personalised service, utilising strategies like headhunting and leveraging referrals. Additionally, we host webinars to expand our network, provide valuable CPD opportunities, and help candidates upskill, ensuring we deliver the best talent for your organisation.
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