Staffing has become the single biggest expenditure for public services, and with the UK’s public sector spend reaching £1189 billion in 2023/24, the need to control and improve expenditure quality across the public sector has become increasingly critical. However this is where established frameworks can benefit.

Frameworks help organisations to buy goods and services from businesses, whilst ensuring that there are measures in place to ensure quality, compliance and cost control. So within this blog post, we will explore in more detail why organisations should utilise frameworks for their recruitment requirements, what sectors/industries utilise frameworks, their benefits, what frameworks Service Care Solutions are approved on and why we choose to be an approved framework agency.

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What is a framework agreement within the recruitment industry?

A framework agreement is a selection of pre-qualified recruitment suppliers which enables the buyer/organisation to select their preferred recruitment agencies and sets out terms and prices for a period in advance. Recruitment suppliers are required to bid for a place on a framework, whereby all bids received are assessed based upon their capacity to meet organisational needs, their quality and overall costs. Those who are evaluated as capable of providing the requirements are successfully awarded a place on the framework, prior to the framework go-live date. Frameworks may have restrictions on the number of recruitment suppliers that can be awarded and after the framework has been awarded, no new suppliers can join the framework.

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Why do SCS choose to procure through public sector frameworks?

As an approved framework supplier for over 18 years, supplying across 20+ different recruitment frameworks, SCS have been able to support a multitude of our established clients with their recruitment needs that we may never have been able to access otherwise. As a Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) audited agency, SCS are committed to a professional and ethical recruitment approach and the frameworks enable us a pathway to provide our clients with quality, experienced professionals whilst offering best possible value. With ‘building relationships’ as one of our key values, the frameworks have enabled us to build long lasting trusting relationships with our clients, through greater transparency and accountability.

What benefits do public sector frameworks realise for our customers?

As an approved supplier through 20+ different recruitment frameworks, our clients realise the value of procuring staff through SCS. Here is an overview of the key benefits:

  • As part of a tendering process, all recruitment suppliers must demonstrate that they can provide the recruitment services to an agreed standard, ensuring quality across your procurement processes.

  • Utilising a framework can reduce the overall costs of your procurement exercise and negates the need to explore high cost off-framework agencies.

  • You can be assured that staff supplied are thoroughly vetted and compliant, in-line with the standards set out by the framework provider. Recruitment suppliers are regularly audited by frameworks to ensure standards are continually adhered too.

  • Many frameworks allow for direct award, whereby a competitive tendering procedure isn’t required, enabling a quick contract award and allowing authorities to contract with a recruitment supplier of their choosing.

  • Pre-negotiated framework terms and conditions support authorities in reducing risk, avoiding lengthy contracts and termination fees.

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What public sector frameworks are SCS approved to supply through?

Framework providers create new recruitment frameworks for almost every sector across the recruitment industry. Whilst some frameworks are tailored towards specific recruitment sectors, others are more widespread and general in nature.

Here are the frameworks that SCS have been awarded a place on and are currently approved to supply staff through:

If you are an organisation that requires support with your recruitment requirements and would like to access quality and experienced professionals at a cost-effective price, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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