The Challenge

The Harmony Trust, a multi-academy trust (MAT) overseeing several schools, faced ongoing challenges in sourcing skilled and reliable site staff. Traditional recruitment methods often fell short in supplying candidates with the right mix of skills within efficient timescales.

 

The Solution

The Harmony Trust approached TIB Services, the UK’s only specialist provider of school site staffing. Unlike general recruitment agencies, we exclusively focus on supplying capable, reliable, and proactive school caretakers and estates staff—many of whom come from backgrounds in the military, emergency services, engineering, and trades.


All TIB candidates are pre-vetted to KCSIE standards with an Enhanced DBS check before starting a placement. Additionally, they receive comprehensive training in compliance, safeguarding, and health & safety, ensuring they can make an immediate positive impact from day one.

 

The Results

According to Tom Gaffney, Senior Site Manager at The Harmony Trust, TIB’s approach has been a game-changer. His highlights include:

  • Highly skilled caretakers: “TIB candidates have fantastic communication skills. They are courteous and very good at what they do. They also bring teamwork, transferable skills, a calmness in certain situations, and people management abilities.”
  • Excellent support and a faster recruitment process: “Our experience of working with the TIB office team has been excellent. They have shortened the time scales for recruiting staff with the necessary skills for our needs.”

 

“I would recommend TIB Services to other trusts. The staff have always been very good, knowledgeable, and flexible in their approach to work we have asked of them.”

Tom Gaffney, Senior Site Manager at The Harmony Trust

 

Why trust TIB Services with your recruitment needs?

At TIB Services, we know that a well-run school site is essential to creating a safe and efficient learning environment. That’s why we provide pre-vetted, highly capable candidates who integrate seamlessly into school teams—whether for temporary cover during staff absences or for permanent placements.

Here’s how we deliver the best candidates:

  • Targeted recruitment:  We attract community-minded individuals with backgrounds in the emergency services, military, engineering and trades with a can-do attitude.
  • Rigorous interviews: Our Vetting & Safeguarding Specialists, all retired police officers, conduct in-depth interviews to assess their suitability for the roles.
  • Pre-vetting: Successful candidates complete thorough KCSIE vetting, including referencing, right-to-work checks, and an Enhanced DBS check with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists.
  • Onboarding: Training in safeguarding, compliance, and health & safety ensures they’re ready to start from day one.

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