Ingeus

Recruitment agency Premiere People, who specialise in sourcing staff for a range of sectors including education, catering, office work and nursing, work in partnership with Ingeus to fill their vacancies with appropriate candidates. Ingeus arranges CRB checks for all candidates, in addition to providing food hygiene training, ensuring that candidates they provide are fully prepared for the positions.

For the last four years, Premiere People have been responsible for providing catering staff to schools across North London. These contracts are ideal for parents wishing to return to employment as the work is during school hours and term-time only.

In response to the needs of Ingeus’ candidates, Premiere People negotiated with the catering company to increase the number of available hours. Originally, vacancies were for a total of 12.5 hours a week. Many very capable parents who would be suitable for the positions felt unable to accept them as they were for fewer than 16 hours a week, meaning that they would not be entitled to claim Working Tax Credit. Having explained this situation, the company was able to extend the positions to three and a quarter hours a day, meaning that parents working in these roles could claim tax credits.

Barnaby Beaver, recruitment manager at Premiere People, says, “Often parents feel they have to turn down jobs because they won’t be entitled to tax credits and help with their childcare costs. These jobs can be great for single parents and mothers who are returning to work because it gives them a chance to get a recent reference and build up their confidence in work.”

“Ingeus provides an excellent service; their professional team has built up a great understanding of our needs. At least 75% of the candidates they have provided for interviews so far have been offered work – this is testament to the effectiveness of their screening process.”