Interim recruitment in local government is fast-paced and often unclear. Success depends on understanding the process, asking smart questions, tailoring your CV, and acting with integrity. Exclusivity is rare always confirm it. Know how rates are set, be strategic, and value consistency over chasing high day rates. Be patient after submission, prepare thoroughly for interviews, and follow up professionally. Build trust, deliver value, and you’ll not just get roles, you’ll bui

Faced with mounting recruitment challenges, UK councils are increasingly using market supplements and golden handshakes to attract and retain talent in hard-to-fill roles. These financial incentives once rare are now central to workforce strategy, especially in social care, planning, and legal services. But their use raises ethical questions around pay equity, transparency, and sustainability. This blog explores how councils can deploy these tools strategically and responsibl

Local government faces a growing leadership challenge not just in attracting talent, but in how we recruit it. Drawing on Stuart Longbottom’s research, this blog explores why traditional e-recruitment methods often fail to deliver the right fit at executive level, and what councils can do differently. From prioritising character over credentials to rethinking candidate experience, it’s time to modernise how we hire.

IR35 compliance is vital for councils, but blanket inside IR35 determinations can inflate costs and limit access to talent. HMRC’s CEST tool helps, but must be used alongside expert advice and documented “reasonable care.” Case studies show that poor governance leads to penalties, while smarter strategies like individual assessments and manager training enable compliant, cost-effective engagements. Councils must balance risk with opportunity to deliver better outcomes.

Local government recruitment must go deeper than job specs and salary bands. Our time on earth is finite and that truth should shape how we attract talent. By embracing conversations around mortality, we invite candidates to reflect on purpose, legacy, and impact. This isn’t just a job it’s a chance to make every day count. Let’s be bold enough to say: this work matters, and so does your time. In local government, every day can be a day well spent.

In a time of rising demand, shrinking budgets, and workforce shortages, local government finance directors face a new challenge: building resilient teams that can thrive under pressure. This blog explores how to recruit, retain, and empower finance professionals, not just to survive the storm, but to lead through it.

Introduction: Why Umbrella Reform Matters for Local Government Contractors The local government sector has long relied on skilled interim...

As the recruitment market becomes increasingly saturated, and local authorities face mounting financial pressures, it is time to ask a...

Introduction: Why Unconscious Bias Matters in Local Government Unconscious bias is the silent saboteur of fairness. It operates beneath...

Recruitment in local government is too often treated as a reactive, transactional process fill the vacancy, tick the box, move on. But...

In today’s local government landscape, recruitment and retention have become increasingly complex. With rising competition for talent,...

Introduction: Why Neurodiversity Matters in Local Government Neurodiversity is a concept that recognises and respects neurological...

In local government, recruitment is far more than a transactional process of filling vacancies. It is a strategic endeavour that shapes...

Telephone interviews have become a standard part of the recruitment process, particularly for initial screening stages or roles that...

As local authorities across the UK continue to face acute and persistent skills shortages particularly in specialist professional roles...

Local government is under pressure like never before. With rising demand, shrinking budgets, and constant political scrutiny, councils...

Local government is not just a tier of administration - it is the living, breathing interface between democracy and daily life. It is...

In today’s rapidly evolving local government landscape, staying relevant isn’t just a professional advantage it’s a necessity. With...

The UK government’s long-anticipated Fair Funding Review 2.0 , released in June 2025, represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of...

In today’s complex and fast-evolving public service landscape, local authorities are under increasing pressure to deliver more with less...