Eleventh Hour Group explores some of the factors impacting the industry and their refined mission, vision and values to provide excellence to the Local Authorities, NHS trusts and professionals they serve. Eleventh Hour Group works alongside healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care and the highest standards of patient support. Whether the need is temporary cover, long-term placements, or bespoke workforce solutions, Eleventh Hour Group and their partners collaborate with NHS Trusts and private healthcare providers to deliver reliable, fully compliant staffing. For local authorities, Eleventh Hour Group and its partners provide essential care services, supporting vulnerable individuals through tailored solutions so that those being cared for can live as independently as possible and thrive.
The UK Recruitment Industry continues to grapple with multiple challenges that test the resilience and adaptability of agencies nationwide. Economic fluctuations, technological advancements, and shifting workforce dynamics have collectively reshaped the recruitment landscape. Amidst these challenges, we at Eleventh Hour Group have embarked on a transformative journey. Ultimately, redefining our direction, vision, and leadership to navigate and thrive in this evolving climate of challenge. Not all agencies have or will survive the current economic uncertainty, so how are we and our partners, such as Langley Clark Insourcing (LCI), innovating to navigate the challenges the industry faces and overcome them in a time of economic uncertainty?
Current Challenges Facing UK Recruitment Agencies
Economic Uncertainty and Hiring Fluctuations
The UK economy has experienced significant volatility, leading to cautious hiring practices among organisations. A recent report indicates that 56% of recruitment agencies have observed a reduction in hiring across client organisations (British Chamber of Commerce, October 2024). This unpredictability has disrupted traditional recruitment cycles, compelling agencies to adapt swiftly to changing client needs. Neil Thomas, National Head of Recruitment and Partner at RSM UK, highlights the impact of macro-economic factors on the recruitment sector, ‘It’s clear that the recruitment sector has encountered a challenging environment in 2024 […] with recruiters generally experiencing a stop-start year in the face of [such] factors.’ Added to further pressures of many trusts and a growing number of private organisations capping rates for agency candidates; the economic pressures are significant.
Technological Disruption and the Rise of Automation
Technological advancements and automation have become integral to modern recruitment processes. While these technologies offer efficiency, they also pose challenges, such as the need for significant investment, further legal and compliance measures, and the potential for certain traditional recruitment roles to become obsolete. Notably, ‘67% of talent acquisition professionals believe that AI and automation will help them save time and improve the quality of hires; with businesses using digital automation in their recruitment process seeing a 50% reduction in time-to-hire, enabling faster and more efficient candidate screening and selection.’ (The HR Director, 2024). There is rising pressure, and clear evidence necessitating agencies to adapt. Whilst Eleventh Hour Group enhances its automation and innovation offer, one guarantee from Operations Director, Graham Lipman is that EHG will never lose its quality-first people offer.
Talent Pool Imbalances
Recruiters are facing a significant imbalance of an oversupplied talent pool coupled with a decline in hiring rates. This disparity has intensified competition among candidates and has made the matching process more complex for agencies. Understandably though, candidates must remain cautious in an oversaturated market and uncertain financial hurdles modern families are facing. The challenge lies in effectively sourcing high-calibre candidates to create a talent-pool centred on excellence and proving the right fit for specialised roles.
Evolving Client Expectations
Clients across industries now require more than just candidate placement; they seek strategic partners who can provide comprehensive talent solutions. This shift requires agencies to expand their service offerings, integrate advanced technologies, and deliver value-added services to remain competitive. Within EHG’s clientele, the requirement also deepens to ensure quality of care to those who benefit from candidate placements. Often these service users are some of the most vulnerable members of our society, who deserve the utmost care and high-quality provision.
Strategies for Survival and Growth
In response to the challenges they face, UK recruitment agencies are implementing several strategic measures:
Embracing Technological Innovation
Agencies are investing in AI-driven tools to automate repetitive tasks, enhance candidate matching, and streamline processes. This technological adoption allows recruiters to focus on high-value activities, such as building relationships and strategic planning. For instance, UK agencies utilising AI have managed to reduce time-to-fill by 57%, leading to more efficient recruiting. Aaliyah McGuire, Complex Care Team Manager discussed the use of automation when keeping Head Office up to speed in real-time to secure a high-quality, human-centred approach to Complex Care placements.
Diversifying or Streamlining Service Offerings
To meet evolving client expectations, some agencies are broadening their services. Diversification positions them as holistic talent solutions providers, harnessing deeper client partnerships. In other cases, such as for Eleventh Hour, a streamlining of services to enhance the quality-first approach of its team was a core mission of the most recent restructure.
For NHS Trusts, services like Langley Clark Insourcing’s triaging offer provide essential support, easing the burden on in-house teams and enhancing patient care. When a referral comes in, the expert team at LCI reviews it, determining the most appropriate next steps. Whether it is referring the patient, scheduling appointments, making clinical recommendations, or redirecting them back to their GP.
By deploying a dedicated triaging team, NHS Trusts can free up their substantive staff to focus on direct patient care. Our approach reduces administrative strain on consultants, allowing them more time dedicated to clinical work. Patients always remain at the heart of the process, benefitting from a streamlined, effective system that improves access to diagnostics, such as endoscopy, while mitigating congestion and strain across services and departments. By identifying pressure points and effectively rerouting activity to less strained services, our solution helps NHS Trusts deliver more responsive and effective care.
Focusing on Niche Markets
Specialising in specific industries or roles allows agencies to develop expertise, build strong networks, and differentiate themselves in a crowded market. This focus enables them to provide tailored solutions and attract clients seeking specialised recruitment services. In narrowing their focus, it promotes the opportunity to be laser-focused in the attraction and attrition of top-tier talent, though it does come with the caveat of balancing the fine line between niche markets and guaranteeing a pool of top-quality candidates who are readily available for seamless integration.
Enhancing Candidate Experience
Improving the candidate journey through transparent communication, personalised interactions, and efficient processes helps agencies build strong talent pipelines and positive reputations. A superior candidate experience can lead to increased referrals and repeat engagements. At Eleventh Hour Group, we make it our mission to make this a reality. We provide a seamless approach for clients, whilst maintaining exceptional relationships with our candidates. Our team approach extends well beyond the walls of Head Office, with Team Leaders fostering a seamless culture of innovation and service-level quality by regularly training candidates to provide the best level of care to services users of our clientele.
Eleventh Hour Group’s Transformative Approach
Amid these industry-wide challenges, at Eleventh Hour Group we have undertaken a strategic transformation to align with the current landscape.
New Direction and Service Expansion
Recognising the need for comprehensive care solutions, at EHG we have expanded our services to offer both short- and long-term care options. By collaborating closely with local authorities, integrated care boards, case managers, clients, and their families, we ensure personalised care that promotes independence and fulfilment for individuals who benefit from our service.
Commitment to Excellence and Compliance
Most recently, Eleventh Hour Group received Elite status on our Priory Group compliance audit and achieved Platinum status on our HTE Framework Audit reflecting our deep commitment to continuous improvement, and our new leadership team’s dedication to setting the highest standards in recruitment. This accomplishment is demonstrative of the company’s commitment to quality and regulatory adherence, enhancing its credibility with clients and candidates alike.
Leadership and Vision
Under new leadership, we at Eleventh Hour Group have articulated a clear vision centred on prioritising a refocussed and quality-driven service. Our clients and candidates must receive a service they truly deserve, so too must the communities they support. This ethos is shared across the organisation’s culture, guiding its interactions and service delivery. Through fostering a transparent and honest communication framework, our aim is to build trust and align our team with clear strategic objectives.
Technological Integration
At EHG we embrace technological advancements to enhance our recruitment and quality of care processes. By integrating automation tools, we streamline systems, but never at the expense of compliance, as seen in its most recent awards from official audits. This also includes real-time alerts to Head Office within our Complex Care Team, ensuring consistency and best-practice when supporting vulnerable people.
Community Engagement and Personalised Care
Our commitment to community care is evident through our personalised solutions designed to enrich the lives of children and adults. By working closely with various stakeholders, we deliver care that makes a tangible difference, ensuring individuals lead fulfilling and independent lives. At Eleventh Hour Group we tailor our recruitment solutions to your individual needs. We are truly people focused, putting the emphasis on supplying the right healthcare professionals for our clients.
UK Recruitment is navigating a broad and complex array of challenges, from economic uncertainties to technological disruptions. Success in this environment requires us to be agile, innovative, and client-centred. At Eleventh Hour Group, we exemplify an adaptive spirit through our strategic reorientation, commitment to excellence, and clear messaging in our strategic leadership processes. By embracing the current climate by focusing on delivering exceptional, personalised services, we not only address the current challenges, but we set a benchmark for the future. A wider people-first approach for recruitment across the UK.
