1 - The challenges of care recruitment
2 - Why ATS for care is a must-have
3 - Case Study: Active Care Group
4 - Jobtrain - an applicant tracking system for care
Care homes stand as a cornerstone of community well-being, but behind the scenes, they face a myriad of challenges, especially when it comes to recruitment. The process of hiring qualified, compassionate, and reliable staff is often fraught with obstacles. This is where an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) comes into play, serving as a revolutionary tool that can transform the way care homes recruit. Drawing from real-world experiences of industry leaders like Active Care Group, this blog aims to shed light on why an ATS is not just beneficial but essential for care recruitment.
The challenges of Care Recruitment
High volume of applicants
Care homes often find themselves inundated with applications, especially for roles that don't require specialised qualifications. Sorting through these manually is not only time-consuming but also prone to human error. Missing out on a potential fit or, worse, hiring the wrong person can have severe repercussions for the quality of care provided.
Compliance requirements
The care sector is heavily regulated to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. The guidelines of the CQC - as well as GDPR - are always changing. This means that every candidate must go through a rigorous background check, provide verifiable references, and often undergo training to meet sector-specific compliance standards. Managing this manually can be a logistical nightmare, but it also means you want a system that covers you too!
Quality of care
Beyond qualifications and compliance, care homes need staff who bring empathy, patience, and a genuine passion for helping others. Traditional recruitment methods often fall short in assessing these soft skills, leading to hires that may look good on paper but are not a fit for the care environment.
Why an ATS for care is a must-have
Streamlined recruitment
An Applicant Tracking System automates the entire recruitment funnel, from posting job openings on multiple platforms to screening resumes based on pre-set criteria. This level of automation eliminates manual sorting, speeds up the recruitment cycle, and ensures that you don't miss out on qualified candidates. Active Care Group, for instance, found that implementing an ATS significantly improved the candidate experience and increased the efficiency of their recruitment process.
Enhanced compliance
Compliance is non-negotiable in the care sector, and an ATS simplifies this complex aspect by automating background checks, document verification, and even training modules. This ensures that every candidate who makes it through the system is compliant with industry regulations, reducing the risk of legal complications down the line.
Improved reporting
Data is the lifeblood of effective decision-making, and an ATS offers a wealth of it. With customisable reporting features, you can track a variety of metrics, from the cost-per-hire to the time-to-fill for each role. This data-driven approach not only helps in refining your recruitment strategies but also in demonstrating the ROI of your hiring efforts, a crucial aspect for securing organisational buy-in.
Seamless Onboarding
The utility of an ATS isn't limited to recruitment; it extends into the onboarding process, making the transition from candidate to employee as smooth as possible. Features like a self-service portal for document submission and automated workflows for training and orientation ensure that new hires are job-ready in the shortest time possible.
Case study: Active Care Group
Active Care Group, a UK-based care provider with over 60 locations and 4,000 employees, faced significant challenges in managing their recruitment and onboarding processes. They turned to an ATS for a solution and the results were transformative.
Their recruitment became more streamlined, compliance checks were automated, and the quality of reporting improved dramatically. The ATS also integrated seamlessly with their existing HR systems, creating a unified platform for recruitment and onboarding. This holistic approach has not only optimised their hiring process but also significantly enhanced the candidate experience, setting a benchmark for the industry.
Jobtrain - an applicant tracking system for care
When it comes to selecting an ATS, care organisations have several options. While we might be biased, we think Jobtrain stands out for several compelling reasons:
Industry-specific customisation
We understand that the care sector has unique needs and challenges. Our ATS is not a one-size-fits-all solution but is customisable to meet the specific requirements of care organisations. This means you can tailor the system to align with your care home's unique recruitment workflow and compliance standards.
User-friendly interface
Ease of use is a critical factor in the successful adoption of any new technology. Our ATS offers an intuitive, user-friendly interface that minimises the learning curve, allowing your HR team to get up to speed quickly. This is particularly beneficial for care homes, where HR resources may already be stretched thin.
Comprehensive support and training
We go beyond just providing software; we offer comprehensive UK support and training to ensure that you get the most out of your ATS. From initial setup to ongoing maintenance, our team of experts is always available to provide guidance and resolve issues, ensuring a smooth and efficient recruitment process.
Proven track record
Our ATS has been successfully implemented by leading care organisations. These case studies serve as a testament to the system's effectiveness in streamlining recruitment, enhancing compliance, and improving the overall quality of hires.
Seamless integration
One of the standout features of our ATS is its ability to integrate seamlessly with other HR systems. This means you can easily sync data across platforms, from payroll to employee management systems, creating a unified and efficient HR ecosystem.