Discover Human Resources Shared Services
Essex County Council’s HR Shared Service gives local authorities cost-effective access to expert recruitment and HR support. As a council ourselves, we can work together compliantly under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 – no lengthy tenders required. Choose a pay-as-you-go model or a collaboration agreement with no contracts or tie-ins. We provide flexibility, transparency and an exceptional service tailored to meet our customers’ resourcing and HR needs.
We’re more than a recruitment provider – we’re a collaborative partner helping local authorities and education providers to streamline workforce management, achieve savings and provide real-time reporting, giving a full oversight of their temporary workforce and spend.
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Working with local authorities across Essex and beyond
Since our launch, we’ve partnered with 13 districts and boroughs within Essex and neighbouring counties. Now we offer our model to councils throughout the country.
Here are just some of the local authorities we work with:
Working with us gives you direct access to a team of HR experts, delivering high-quality services that help reduce costs without compromising standards. Join the growing network of councils who are streamlining their recruitment.
We saved £434k for local authority partners in 2024/25
Overall, the level of talent attracted by Essex Shared Services exceeded all staff and Cabinet Member’s expectations.
CEO of Castle Point Borough Council
Our specialist services
Temporary Recruitment
Plus, you’ll get real-time reporting and full workforce visibility, designed to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
We source talent through leading attraction channels – from the latest job boards, diversity platforms and our talent pool.
We manage 600+ temporary workers at one time
Need agency support? Gain access to our trusted supply chain with preferential rates and no temp-to-perm fees.
Permanent Recruitment
Our permanent recruitment service helps councils secure high‑quality talent quickly and compliantly.
Our specialist public‑sector team source candidates across active and passive markets using social media, specialist job boards and our extensive talent pool. We also support secondments through our first‑of‑its‑kind dedicated secondment site, developed in partnership with Jobs Go Public, enabling councils to share talent and build capability across the sector. Where additional reach is needed, we work with a specialist media partner to connect with hard‑to‑reach talent.
From recruitment consultation to direct placements and secondments, our tailored support enhances candidate experience, streamlines recruitment processes and helps councils appoint the right talent faster.
Executive Search
Our Executive Search service helps councils secure senior leaders who deliver strategic impact and embody public service values.
As a true professional partner to HR teams, we tailor our headhunting approach to identify senior talent that aligns with public sector needs.
We connect you with senior leaders who deliver strategic impact and embody public service values.
Learn how our Executive Search service supports our council partners:
Employment Vetting
As a registered eBroker, we have a wealth of experience when it comes to safeguarding policies.
We’ve continuously improved our services to ensure our partners meet their employment safeguarding needs.
Our robust, cost‑effective vetting service includes:
- Expert industry guidance
- Social media checks
- DBS checks
- Right to Work checks
900 users on our state-of-the-art system
20+ years of vetting experience
38,000 DBS checks completed each year
Serving 90% of schools in Essex
Talent Attraction
Our Talent Attraction services help to reach the right candidates in competitive markets, connecting you with top talent using smart, creative and targeted marketing solutions.
Achieve standout results with:
- Video and photography
- Microsites
- Graphic design
- Copywriting
See 3-5x more engagement with our marketing support
HR Consultancy
We offer independent, CIPD qualified, fully vetted and highly flexible HR Investigators to support you on a wide range of HR matters.
Our service includes:
- Workplace investigations (disciplinary, grievance, and complex ER issues)
- Executive coaching for senior leaders and aspiring talent
- Mediation, OD, and restructuring support
Our HR Consultancy service has supported over 20 public sector organisations
We’ve delivered approximately 65 HR investigations
Get in touch
If you’d like to find out more about how Essex Shared Services can support you with your HR needs, please get in touch with us today: