Charles Hunter Associates

Charles Hunter Associates is an owner-operated specialist recruitment agency placing qualified social work, social care and nursing candidates in contract and permanent roles across the UK. Based in Reading, it has provided workers to more than 200 organisations within the public, private and third sectors since 2009.

• The organisation has five dedicated people compliance roles. It ensures DBS checks are always up to date and all staff continue to meet the legal requirements of working in the UK. ‘Compliance is the backbone of its operation’, according to the company, and in its dealings with all stakeholders.
• Charles Hunter Associates sends a comprehensive email to all new workers to explain the relevant requirements and processes relating to HM Revenue & Customs. It conducts audits on a random selection of payslips every 12 weeks to ensure accuracy. Any problems reported will be investigated and resolved within 24 hours.
• The business is Compliance+ accredited through the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) and all staff undergo the Safer Recruitment training to ensure they meet the high standards expected. Charles Hunter Associates completes in-house compliance training with every new internal employee, allowing the organisation to make sure everyone knows what is expected of them. Its dedication to compliance also enables the prevention of unsuitable people working with children and vulnerable adults.

Judges’ comments

“The winner had a very robust approach to educating its own staff, candidates and clients equally. As well as coming up with wider proposals around the regulation (government) of the sector, it also enhanced client audits with their own internal process.”