Flexibility Without Compromise
Temporary & Supply Work
Your career, your schedule. Choose when you work, where you work, and how often—from daily supply teaching to long-term placements across education and public sector. Competitive rates, weekly pay, and a team that actually gets it.
What Sets Us Apart
Why Go Temporary?
Permanent roles demand permanence. Temporary work gives you something different—the freedom to shape your career around your life, not the other way around.
Whether you're a teacher seeking balance, a healthcare professional exploring different settings, or returning to public service after a break—temporary work puts you in control. Test environments before committing. Gain experience across schools, hospitals, councils, and housing organisations. Build a portfolio career or find your perfect permanent fit.
We support hundreds of temporary professionals every week. Weekly pay, genuine flexibility, and consultants who understand your life doesn't revolve around work.
Because flexibility matters.
Why Professionals Choose Temporary
The benefits that make flexible work, work
Complete Flexibility
Choose when you work, where you work, and how often. Block out dates, work term-time only, or build a regular pattern—it's entirely your choice.
Competitive Pay
Daily rates from £140-£280 depending on experience and role. Weekly pay every Friday, holiday pay accrued, and pension contributions included.
Diverse Experience
Work across different schools, NHS trusts, local authorities, and housing organisations. Broaden your skills and discover what environments suit you best.
No Planning or Marking
For supply teachers and some education support roles—focus on delivery without the administrative burden. Come in, teach, leave refreshed.
Route to Permanent
Many temporary placements convert to permanent positions. Test before you commit, build relationships, and find where you truly fit.
Ongoing Support
Dedicated consultant support, morning briefings, post-placement feedback, and free CPD access through our HOW2 platform.
Roles We Fill
Flexible opportunities across education and public sector services
Supply Teaching
Day-to-day supply, short-term cover (1-4 weeks), long-term placements (half term+), primary and secondary, subject specialist cover, and SEN supply positions.
Education Support
Supply teaching assistants, cover supervisors, exam invigilators, intervention workers, 1:1 support staff, and temporary administrative roles in schools and colleges.
Healthcare Temporary
Bank healthcare assistants, temporary nursing staff, allied health professionals, NHS administrative cover, patient support services, and clinical support roles.
Local Government Temporary
Temporary social workers, youth work cover, community services temporary staff, planning support roles, environmental health cover, and administrative temporary positions.
Early Years Cover
Nursery supply staff, early years practitioners, temporary early years teachers, childcare cover, and children's centre temporary roles.
Housing Temporary
Temporary housing officers, emergency accommodation support, tenancy services cover, homelessness prevention temporary roles, and supported housing staff.
SEN Specialist Supply
SEND school supply, specialist SEN teaching assistants, behaviour support cover, alternative provision staff, and specialist setting temporary roles.
Exam & Assessment Period
Exam invigilators, assessment support, exam officer cover, results day temporary staff, and marking period administrative support.
Types of Temporary Work
Day-to-Day Supply
Ultimate flexibility—work only when you want. Perfect for work-life balance or portfolio careers. No planning required for teaching roles. Rates: £140-£220 per day for education, £130-£180 for healthcare and local government.
Short-Term Placements (1-4 weeks)
Consistent work with one team or class. Build relationships and gain deeper experience. Some planning involved for teaching roles. Enhanced rates for commitment. Often extends to longer placements.
Long-Term Supply (Half Term+)
Stability with flexibility. Become part of the school, hospital, or organisation. Full responsibilities but maintain temporary status. Competitive rates plus holiday pay. Often leads to permanent offers.
Specialist & Premium Supply
SEN specialists, subject shortages (Maths, Science, Languages), healthcare specialists, leadership cover. Premium rates from £220-£280 per day reflecting expertise and demand.
Getting Started
Quick Registration
Simple online registration or phone call. Discuss your preferences, availability, and ideal placements.
Compliance Made Easy
We handle your DBS, references, and all checks. Most professionals are work-ready within 5-7 days.
Choose Your Work
Receive notifications for suitable positions. Accept what works for you—no pressure, no obligations.
Pre-Placement Support
Morning briefings with key information, tips for success, and consultant support throughout the day.
What Supply Staff Say
Real feedback from professionals who've found flexibility through temporary work
"10/10 I had an excellent experience with Dovetail and Slate, who quickly understood what I was looking for and matched me with the perfect role. I really appreciated the regular updates and clear communication throughout. I felt supported at every step, which made the whole process smooth and stress-free. I would highly recommend Dovetail and Slate to anyone seeking their next career move. I did not have to chase or worry about anything."
Anonymous
"My experience with Dovetail & Slate, specifically Matty and his team, has been nothing but exceptional. They have all really invested in me as the client and ensured they understand our needs. This translates equally to the commitment they show to the candidates they work with, being transparent with them and guiding them through the whole process. Where a candidate has been offered and accepted a role the job doesn't finish there, the team remain engaged with the candidate for time afterwards to see how they are doing and if there are any issues they may need support with. Even when our recruiting needs are fully met, the conversation continues just to keep abreast of things so that they are ready to react when called upon. I decline to work with other recruitment agencies such is my trust in Dovetail & Slate."
Anonymous
"From the first telephone call Mr D. Cordukes, from start to finish conducted a professional service. Always upfront with a vast amount of knowledge and advice. It was a pleasure to work with him and Dovetail & Slate team."
Anonymous
Understanding Your Pay
Safeguarding & Compliance
We're fully committed to safeguarding and the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. Our safer recruitment process is KCSIE-aligned and regularly audited.
All temporary candidates undergo comprehensive pre-employment checks including:
- Enhanced DBS checks appropriate to the role
- Identity and right to work verification
- Professional reference verification (a minimum of two references)
- Qualification verification and Teaching Regulation Agency checks where applicable
- Overseas police checks where applicable
- Prohibition and barred list checks for relevant roles
Quick-Start Resources
Everything you need to succeed in temporary public sector roles
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Your Supply Work Specialists
Meet the team who'll support your flexible working journey
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Take Control?
Join hundreds of professionals who've found flexibility and opportunity through temporary work.