Running a social services team is no easy feat, especially when it comes to managing resources and ensuring clients get the care they need.
Unexpected staff absences – whether due to illness, personal reasons, or something else – 2can leave you scrambling to fill a role, often at short notice. And when gaps stretch on for weeks or even months, workloads pile up, and the pressure builds!
Time is often the most critical factor in hiring a social services locum. With the time to fill permanent roles taking an average of 44 days, social services employers are at risk of experiencing delays in hiring.
This is where hiring locum social services workers can make a difference. With social services locums, you can access a flexible and efficient solution to keep your team running smoothly without stress.
Hiring social services locums in Australia is typically done through an external agency. Here are key tips on hiring locums and what to look for in a social care recruitment agency.
Figure Out What You Need
Before diving into your search for the right locum social services recruitment agency, it’s important to first get clear on exactly what you’re looking for. What type of social services role are you filling? How long is the assignment for? What’s the pay range? Does the role have budgetary approval?
Do you need a specific area of expertise? And does the agency you’re working with truly understand your sector’s needs?
Having these details sorted from the start will help you find an agency that can meet your requirements, provide the right locum for the job, and achieve the best outcome as soon as possible!
Research Social Services Recruitment Agencies
When choosing a social services recruitment agency, it’s important to look for a team that truly understands the sector. You want an agency that has an established specialisation in social services and has a proven track record of placing professionals in roles similar to the one you're looking to fill.
Communication is key, so pick an agency that takes the time to understand your organisation's needs, not just the basic job description. Make sure they can move quickly and efficiently, especially if you’re in need of locums to cover sudden staff shortages.
A trustworthy and reputable social services recruitment agency will be fully transparent about their fees and recruitment process. They will also have all compliance requirements covered, including full vetting of candidates with background and reference checks. Which, incidentally, will save you loads of time in the recruitment process!
Beyond payroll and invoicing, social services recruitment agencies often provide additional support, like helping with onboarding (whether in-office or remote) and offering regular feedback check-ins to ensure everything is on track. So, while you focus on the work, the agency takes care of the admin. That sounds like a win-win, right?
Prepare a Brief
Once you have chosen an agency to work with, preparing a brief for the recruiter will give them all the necessary information to find social services locums on your behalf.
A recruitment brief typically includes:
Job title – Ensure the job title is specific and accurately reflects the position. It’s best to avoid internal jargon and acronyms that may confuse potential applicants.
Duties and responsibilities – Use bullet points to outline the essential role functions, responsibilities and daily activities. Whether the locum assignment is for a few days, weeks or months, the level of detail you provide helps candidates identify if they are the right fit.
Employment type and conditions – Include details about the job location, hours, and any specific working conditions (i.e., travel requirements). It’s also a good idea to explain where the role sits within the team, department, and wider business, as well as who the hire will report to.
If you offer remote/hybrid/flexible working options, you can mention this here. These are highly sought-after benefits, so it’s good to highlight them in the job description!
Required skills and qualifications – List the necessary skills, education, certifications, and experience necessary for the role, as well as the hard and soft skills required. Aim to list only the essentials, as having too many requisites may make it more difficult to find a locum quickly.
Pay rate – Last but not least, be sure to include the hourly rate or day rate for the position. Keep in mind that factors like location, specialisation, demand, and the duration of the assignment will influence the rate. If you’re unsure how to work this out, the recruiter can advise you on current market rates for social services locums.
Work With Us
Partnering with an experienced and reputable social services recruitment specialist can save you a lot of time when hiring locums. With less time spent on recruitment and admin, you can allocate more resources to meeting client needs.
With over 20 years of experience, we’ve been helping organisations find top-quality locum candidates in social services. Our deep industry knowledge allows us to connect you with the best locum talent to meet your staffing needs. Interested in the flexibility and expertise that locums can offer? Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your requirements!
