Helen, your career spans almost 20 years at Reed – which is quite the achievement. What brought you back to Reed?
The opportunity to be back in a business that I had known and loved for 15 years! When I left Reed in 2015,
I left to progress my career. When I saw that the Divisional Directors role was available in Health & Care – I knew I had to apply. I love this business – I love what we do, I love the culture, the people, our values, our purpose and I have loved being back since my return, slap bang in the middle of Covid in November 2020.
What I brought back with me was an understanding of what life outside of Reed is like and a greater appreciation and awareness of the wider recruitment market. It is very different working for smaller businesses who have different strategic aims for their businesses and their people.
I learnt a lot in the 5 years I was away about culture, values, growing a business the right way, personal branding and so much more.
Our investment in technology has been paramount to our growth particularly in our Community Care business.
The changes that had been made to align our focus as part of Reed Talent Solutions has been a massive and much needed change. Working within "RTS" we benefit hugely from the combined thinking of some of the most credible leaders in our entire business. I am challenged every day to drive the business forwards as a result of that.
Upon your return to Reed, it wasn't long before you took on a key role within the DE&I space. Can you elaborate on that and your work within the gender group?
When the opportunity arose to lead this group, I jumped at it! It's been amazing. I am able to collaborate with other co-members within the group who are truly inspirational. We have achieved so much in the short time we have been working together, we have developed strategies for co-members who have felt that menopause awareness has needed improvement. We now have a dedicated area on the D&I channel specifically on Menopause, I was able to undertake a menopause coaching qualification so that I can help and support those that may need it on a confidential and 1:1 basis. We’ve established a regular Menopause Cafe, virtually across Reed. There have been external webinars where we have had guest speakers bring their knowledge and understanding to us within Reed and to clients and candidates in addition.
The health and care sector at Reed is seeing some fantastic growth. Can you share key factors that have contributed to the growth?
Being agile and responsive to the constantly evolving market that is the health and care space.
I feel we are able to recognise where there are opportunities to support our clients and exceed expectations.
This year, it has been within our registered provision – Reed Community Care where we have seen an increase in requirements across all our services. Particularly in the services we deliver to children and young people or those with complex needs.
In our social care business, we are doing more and more work with clients to ensure that placements breaking down are kept safe by working collaboratively to deliver the right outcomes. We’ve established our placement support team for this very reason.
Through innovation we have been able to leverage the growth we have seen this year in our Community Care and Social Care businesses – supported by our investments in technology.
Over the last few months, we have brought in some experienced talent from competitors. I believe all the new hires in the business will complement our fantastic teams and add real value. Already we are seeing the synergy in their values and ours – they are all highly knowledgeable about the sector, share a passion for ensuring an agile and responsive service and that sings to our purpose of improving lives through work. Together, all our team will have a great year ahead! It’s so exciting!
We do it properly or we don’t do it at all.
We are one of very few competitors that offer clients a single source for all their needs – from the invaluable work that our Care and Support Workers undertake – right the way through to senior level appointments in clinical roles. When we established our Community Care business many years ago, we were one of the first larger traditional agencies to do so. Others have since followed suit. However, I feel what we do really matters.
We work hard to ensure that our values are embodied in our work on a daily basis – we work together, we take ownership, and we are fair, open and honest. Our clients trust us on this basis.
We are proud and privileged to make a difference every single day. This year we have had a plethora of testimonials from social workers, residential service managers, hospital directors citing our fantastic staff, and how the people we support are meeting new milestones and achieving their personal outcomes. This is why we do what we do. My entire team are passionate about this, and we live and breathe our purpose "Improving lives through work" day in, day out.
H&C co-members at the Reed High Achievers event with RTS Managing Director - Lee Gudgeon
What’s next for Health and Care at Reed?
A year of exciting opportunity, growth and working together as team to deliver our own outcomes and a fantastic service!
If you are interested in a career with Reed's Health and Care division then contact Tak Li Talent Acquisition Manager directly for a confidential conversation around current and future opportunities.