Time Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness in Support Worker Recruitment: A Comparative Analysis of Specialist Care Agency Versus Case Manager Direct Recruitment Models

Authors: Haxon, D; Jones, C; Linton, L; Purdy, K; Taylor, M (2026)

Introduction

Securing consistent, high-quality support worker services is critical for effective and sustainable care; however, the recruitment and retention of suitable staff for complex packages of care is a challenging aspect of case management (1). Social Return Case Management conducted a comparative study to investigate the most time-efficient and cost-effective recruitment method: utilising specialist care recruitment agencies versus direct, case manager (CM) led recruitment, an activity many CMs are often asked to perform.

Affording a client the opportunity of successful recruitment and retention of staff requires effective use of human resources, finance and recruitment expertise. Maximising these elements should ensure clients are recruiting and retaining high-quality staff (2)(3).

It is hypothesised that the use of specialist care recruitment agencies can meet this need in a more time- and cost-effective way and support the long-term retention of staff compared to CMs facilitating this process with, at times, less experience, expertise and resources.

Co-production Week 2026, organised by SCIE, shines a spotlight on the importance of working in partnership with people and families to create more equitable care. This year's theme, "Care Equity: Who Gets Care?", recognises that everyone should have access to high quality support and the opportunity to influence decisions that affect their lives.
​
At Social Return Case Management, co-production sits at the heart of everything we do. We know that every individual and family has unique experiences, values and goals. Rather than doing things to people, we work alongside them, listening, guiding and supporting them to have a voice in decisions about their own care and future.