Specialist recruitment consultancy, Healthier Recruitment, has been recognised by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) for its ground-breaking approach to recruiting high-quality Health Care Assistants (HCAs) for struggling NHS trusts and other healthcare organisations – picking up the ‘Best Client Initiative’ trophy at the trade association’s 2018 Awards for Excellence.

The award recognises those who can demonstrate an outstanding or innovative venture that has made a significant difference to a client, goes above and beyond what is normally expected of a recruitment partner and has changed the way the client views the supplier relationship.

The company specialises in permanent and fixed term contract introductions for roles within both private healthcare organisations and the NHS. It scooped the prestigious award after wowing judges with its Healthier Care Workforce strategy: a completely outsourced solution for the recruitment of volume Band 2-3 HCAs which is enabling clients to boost long-term efficiency, workforce engagement & retention and quality & continuity of care. Clients who have recruited through this model have reported a 70% reduction in time-to-hire as well as 40% cost savings per annum.

Judges noted that the firm is:

“An impressive young business with a strong and experienced management team. They have found a true niche within a complex sector. Their specialist knowledge, passion and success to date made them a stand-out entry in this category. With potential for success and some already strong financials coupled with a people-focussed business, they are one to watch.”

Margo Leftly, Co-Managing Director of Healthier Recruitment, commented:

“While HCAs are relatively easy to source, finding the quality and volume of talent that organisations need at this level is a perpetual challenge for internal hiring managers, particularly within mental health. The reality is that low barriers to entry and lengthy time-to-hire, mean that a high percentage of applications will be low-quality and potential candidates can easily be lost to other sectors. When we developed this solution, we knew it was going to be transformational, but the fact that this has been recognised by the wider recruitment profession is both humbling and a true honour.”

Michael Johnson-Ellis, Co-Managing Director of Healthier Recruitment, added:

“To be shortlisted for, and ultimately win, this award is testament to the impact that Healthier Recruitment is having on the market. The amazing work our team is doing to change perceptions and prove that permanent recruitment and effective workforce consultancy services is possible in healthcare is finally being realised and our passion for this market is recognised. Supporting our clients to not only tackle their workforce challenges but to help predict future talent trends to offer support sets us aside. ”