SME News Southern Enterprise Awards 2023 | 14 Best Social Care Recruitment Agency 2023 Recruitment is a challenging environment, regardless of the industry you specialise in. It demands an ability to achieve results and achieve them consistently in the face of often variable circumstances. Adaptability and industry expertise is a must. And that is so much more essential within the social care sphere. As this year’s Best Social Care Recruitment Agency, First for Support Limited (First for Support) has cultivated an impressive reputation in the industry – We spoke with director, Beata Cudzik to find out more. Supporting the care sector across Hampshire and Dorset, First for Support provides both permanent employees and temporary agency staff to private care providers and housing associations. Framing itself as a ‘specialist recruitment agency’, the company has firmly positioned itself as an expert and partner for care centres across the region, fulfilling their recruitment needs to ensure a consistency in service to their patients. The niche nature of the sector means these crucial agencies often get overlooked in the larger recruitment landscape, but their importance cannot be overestimated. Unlike other recruitment firms, there’s a greater emphasis on some of the more innate qualities of an applicant. Naturally, you can have all the accolades in the world but if you lack compassion and empathy, you won’t experience an enduring career in this space. Recruitment, then, is more complex than simply being impressed by a CV. It’s more person-centred – which is saying something when you consider the nature of recruitment as a whole being so person-centric in its approach and operations. First for Support ensures this ethos remains front and centre of the team’s approach through its foundational pillars: people-focused, responsive, empowering. Here, Beata explains more in her opening comments. “We don't just say we care. We really do. We are passionate about caring for our staff and for our clients. Our three core values - people focused, responsive, and empowering – are always front of mind and they impact everything we do. I started this business because I feel that the work that care workers do is incredibly underrated and unappreciated. “I just love to show people that it shouldn’t be that way and you can treat support workers well and make them feel valued and appreciated. We treat our workers like family. And we only recruit workers who we know are going to treat our clients compassionately and do the best job they can. I am incredibly proud to nurture a fantastic environment for people to work in, and to provide an excellent service in our local community.” It must be reiterated that agencies such as First for Support can be considered the foundational support for those that provide care for others. Companies like First for Support are reinforcing and equipping that crucial industry to deliver the best possible care for those that need it most. It’s a vital tool for its continuation, while also acting as a driver of development – connecting those that aim for the best quality of care with those able to deliver it. “By providing reliable and efficient workers, we are helping private care providers and housing associations to run their businesses successfully,” Beata adds in agreement. But First for Support endeavours to go further still, with ongoing community outreach and a mission to contribute more than its share to the local business economy. Through the team’s success, the agency has moved to larger business premises, and will continue to support local events to showcase its commitment to ‘raising the tide’ through the company’s success. “We are supporting local events like the upcoming Southampton Jobs Fair and have supported other job fairs in the past.” In Beata’s mind, First for Support’s award-winning characteristic relies on its values, goals, and primary mission. Primarily, as she concludes in her closing comments, enduring success hinges on the team’s persistence to always go the extra mile for both applicants and clients. “It’s how, every day, we show our workers how much we appreciate and value them, whilst providing top quality, reliable service to our clients.” That’s the secret to First for Support’s continuing success. It’s not something that can be taught, necessarily. It’s an ethos that pulses through the company – from the very top, to the very bottom. It’s also a truly essential tool within the team’s skillset, distinguishing the agency from an ever-crowded national market. Recruitment is all about people, about understanding what makes a person the perfect fit. But that’s so much more important when you operate within social care, with the smallest of details and considerations often making the largest of differences in the way you approach fulfilling a vacancy. Understanding that has spearheaded Beata’s success in the space and will Beata Cudzik
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTY1MjM3