Practical approach: Centralising recruitment

Explore how a centralised, values-led recruitment and onboarding model can fast-track recruitment, improve retention and strengthen workforce wellbeing and stability. 

For CEOs, registered managers, finance directors, HR leads and training and development leads in adult social care providers.

This practical toolkit, based on Sheffcare's approach, centralises recruitment, streamlines onboarding and offers buddy support to improve candidate experience and reduce turnover. The toolkit provides practical guidance on implementation, stakeholder engagement and workforce planning, showing how strategic recruitment can build a resilient, high-quality care workforce.

What this toolkit can help you achieve

• A centralised, values‑led approach improves recruitment quality, consistency and candidate experience.

• Strong onboarding through structured induction and buddy support reduces early turnover and builds confidence.

• Matching staff to local services and tailoring onboarding to their needs improves long‑term retention and connection.

• Clear development pathways and acting‑up opportunities encourage ambition and help position care as a rewarding career.

Quick start

• Watch a short video highlighting the key points of the toolkit.

• Overview - a short overview of what the toolkit offers, overarching lessons and key takeaways.
  
  

Explore the toolkit at your own pace

Explore the toolkit step-by-step, or go straight to the sections most relevant to you. Each section includes practical recommendations to support you in applying the approach in practice.

Go straight to the sections

• Planning and preparing
  Effective planning and preparation were critical to transforming Sheffcare’s recruitment approach.
• Digital and technology
  Digital transformation played a limited but important role in Sheffcare’s recruitment overhaul. Choosing the right digital solutions matters.
• Financing and investment
  Strategic investment and contingency planning underpinned Sheffcare’s recruitment transformation.

• Involving key stakeholders
  Understanding and addressing stakeholder needs was central to Sheffcare’s success.

• Governance and implementation
  Clear roles, structured processes and consistent monitoring were essential to implementing Sheffcare’s recruitment reforms.

• Workforce
  Speed, structure and support were key to Sheffcare’s recruitment success.

• Pilot, refinement and embedding
  Sheffcare piloting new ways of working, refining them with feedback, and embedding successful elements into everyday operations for lasting impact.

• Outcomes, impact and learning
  Sheffcare’s recruitment transformation has delivered measurable results – improved retention, stronger compliance and enhanced staff experience.
  
  

Recommendations

• Centralising recruitment -Recommendations

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