Recruitment That Actually Works
How We Find the Right People for Your Organisation
Forget the typical agency experience of irrelevant CVs and mismatched candidates. Our proven 5-step process delivers precisely qualified professionals who align with your culture, meet your requirements, and stay for the long term, whether you're recruiting for schools, colleges, healthcare or public services.
What Sets Us Apart
Why Our Process is Different
We've all experienced poor recruitment - generic CVs flooding your inbox, candidates who interview brilliantly but can't deliver, agencies who vanish after placement. That's precisely why we built something different.
Our process isn't just about filling vacancies. It's about understanding what makes your organisation unique, what challenges your teams face and what kind of professional will thrive in your environment. Then finding exactly that person. Because education matters and so does every role that supports it.
Every step is designed to save you time whilst ensuring quality. We know you have better things to do than sort through irrelevant applications.
Our 5-Step Recruitment Process
Discovery Consultation
Within 2 hours of your enquiry, your dedicated consultant arranges a detailed consultation by phone, video or in person. We explore your organisation's culture, specific role requirements, team dynamics and realistic timelines. You receive a written role specification for approval and honest market feedback.
Targeted Talent Search
We launch a multi-channel search targeting only relevant candidates, no mass mailshots. Direct approaches to proven professionals, targeted advertising on specialist platforms, network activation and database searches of prospective candidates. Quality controls include initial CV screening, availability confirmation, salary expectation alignment and location verification.
Rigorous Screening & Vetting
Every candidate is carefully assessed before being introduced to you. This includes structured competency-based interviews, scenario-led questioning, and motivation assessment. Role-relevant compliance and vetting checks are initiated at interview stage and completed where required, including DBS, references, qualification verification and safeguarding requirements. You receive 3–5 high-quality candidates, not 30 average ones.
Interview Coordination & Support
We manage the entire interview process so you can focus on selecting the right person. Full scheduling coordination, candidate briefing, travel arrangements, panel coordination, and follow-up. We provide suggested questions, competency frameworks, and post-interview salary negotiation support.
Onboarding & Aftercare
Our service doesn't end at offer acceptance. Pre-start paperwork coordination, compliance documentation, induction planning support, first day check-ins, monthly reviews during the first term, and ongoing support. Our replacement guarantee and retention reviews ensure long-term success.
What Sets Our Process Apart
The Dovetail & Slate difference
Education & Public Sector Specialists
Our consultants understand schools, colleges, healthcare settings, local authorities and public service delivery. We speak your language and understand your challenges, from Ofsted to CQC (Care Quality Commission), from funding constraints to safeguarding requirements.
Quality Over Quantity
We present 3-5 exceptional candidates, not 30 mediocre ones. Each person has been personally interviewed, thoroughly vetted and carefully matched to your specific requirements. Your time is valuable, we respect that.
Rigorous Vetting Standards
Our safer recruitment process meets statutory requirements. Enhanced DBS, comprehensive references, qualification verification, employment history validation and safeguarding interviews are standard for every placement.
Cultural Matching
We find professionals who fit your organisation's ethos and values, not just your job description. Understanding team dynamics, management styles and organisational culture is central to our matching process.
Transparent Communication
Regular updates throughout the process. Client portal access for real-time tracking. Honest feedback on market conditions. No surprises, no excuses just clear, professional communication.
Ongoing Partnership
Six-month replacement guarantee for permanent roles. First-term retention support with regular check-ins. Workforce planning consultation. Market intelligence updates. We succeed when you build strong, stable teams.
Traditional Agency vs. Our Approach
Traditional Agency Approach
- Mass CV circulation to multiple clients
- Generic job posting on standard boards
- Basic compliance checking only
- Placement completed, agency disappears
- One-size-fits-all process
- Commission-driven focus
The Dovetail & Slate Approach
- Targeted search yielding 3-5 quality candidates
- Bespoke talent search across multiple channels
- Comprehensive 6-stage vetting process
- Six-month guarantee with ongoing aftercare
- Tailored to your organisation's needs
- Partnership approach focused on long-term success
Our Service Level Commitments
What you can expect when working with us
Response Times
Initial contact within 2 hours of enquiry. First candidates presented within 48 hours. Compliance documentation is shared promptly, with regular updates provided throughout the process. Urgent roles prioritised with same-day responses.
Quality Assurance
Every candidate is personally interviewed by education or public sector specialist consultants. A transparent vetting process is followed, with full visibility of each candidate’s compliance status at the point of presentation. Honest, transparent feedback on market conditions and realistic timelines is provided throughout.
No Placement, No Fee
Zero charge for unsuccessful searches. No retained fees or upfront costs required. Transparent pricing provided from the start. You only pay when we successfully place your chosen candidate.
Aftercare Promise
Six-month replacement guarantee for permanent placements. Regular retention check-ins throughout the first term. Ongoing support for performance concerns. Workforce planning consultation as standard.
Stay Informed Throughout
Our client portal provides real-time recruitment tracking, candidate shortlist management, interview scheduling tools, compliance document vault access, and invoice management—all in one place.
Regular updates via your preferred channel: email progress reports, consultant mobile access, video consultations, or shared project boards. You choose how we communicate.
Our Process Delivers Results
What Our Clients Say
Feedback from organisations who've experienced our process
No testimonials available
Check back soon for client feedback and success stories.
Common Questions About Our Process
Ready to Experience Recruitment That Works?
Let's discuss your staffing needs and show you how our process delivers the professionals you need.