Tips for successful care home recruitment

03.11.25

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL CARE HOME RECRUITMENT

Care home recruitment can be a challenging process. Whether you are an owner, MD or Registered Manager, finding the right team members can be tough.

With an ageing population driving the need for residential and nursing care, vacancy levels remain three times higher than in the wider job market. Therefore, identifying an effective recruitment strategy is more important than ever.

Understand the requirements

Before going out to market define the qualities required from a successful candidate.

Qualifications (Essential & Desirable)
Ideal experience and in what setting
Specific requirements (Turnaround, increasing occupancy, staff retention)
Attention to detail
Team management skills
Flexibility
Financial acumen

Job Description

Create a clear and engaging job description that sells the role. This can be used to highlight what makes your care home a great place to work:

Describe your values, team culture, and resident-focused ethos.
Outline career development opportunities such as NVQ qualifications or mentorship.
Set out shift patterns, pay rates, and any additional benefits

Recruitment Channels

Not every provider chooses to use a recruitment agency however, there are many benefits to using an agency including

Access to a larger talent pool – established relationships between talent and recruiters, extensive databases, job boards and social media
Time Savings – Advertising, CV screening and preliminary interviews are all conducted by the agency
Expertise and industry knowledge – Agencies can advise on market trends, salary benchmarks and candidate expectations
Improved candidate quality - Professional recruiters are skilled at assessing skills, experience, and cultural fit
Confidentiality – agencies can manage the process discreetly for sensitive hires

Streamline the process

In a competitive market, speed matters. Long, complicated application processes can drive good candidates away.

Ensure all parties are aware of the interview process
Keep application forms short and straightforward – Using an agency can often negate the need for this
Acknowledge applications and provide feedback promptly.
Be decisive — if someone impresses you, don’t delay with your offer.

Interview

Whilst a candidate’s experience is key, so is adaptability. Using scenario-based questions can support the assessment of passion, empathy and problem-solving skills. Questions such as,

"You observe inconsistent compliance with a new medication administration protocol among your team. How would you address this to maintain resident safety?"
‘’Give an example of when you have made a difference in a resident’s life?’’

Retention

Retention should be built into your recruitment strategy as high staff turnover can undo the best recruitment processes.

Offer a comprehensive induction program
Offer ongoing training and qualifications
Offer opportunities for career development
Recognise and reward good performance.
Offer flexibility and additional benefits
Promote a positive, inclusive workplace culture where staff members feel valued.

Summary

Effective recruitment in a care home isn’t just about hiring — it’s about creating a compassionate, capable team that shares your home’s values. With clear communication, efficient systems, and a strong focus on culture and support, you can attract and retain the right people.

At Experts2care we have over 40 years’ experience and a proven track record of successful care home leadership recruitment. As your dedicated partner, whether representing or recruiting professionals on a permanent or interim basis we have honed our understanding and expertise over the years to secure the ideal role or talent for you. With a proven track record, you’re in capable hands.

With a record of achieving positive outcomes, we are the trusted go-to experts for care home leadership recruitment.

Reach out to Sophie Reeves for an initial discussion on 01902 375619 or email us on info@experts2care.com.