Every Classroom. Every Day. Covered
Temporary & Supply Education Staffing
When absence threatens continuity, we're your rapid response team. Get pre-vetted, DBS-checked professionals ready to maintain your standards, whether you're a school, college, NHS trust or local authority needing emergency cover tomorrow or long-term supply for the term ahead.
What Sets Us Apart
The Reality of Staff Absence
An unexpected staff absence doesn't just leave you scrambling for cover, it disrupts learning, strains your permanent team and can derail progress. We understand that every absence creates pressure, whether it's a teacher's illness, a healthcare professional's leave or a support worker's emergency.
Generic supply agencies send whoever's available. We send professionals who seamlessly maintain your standards. That's why leading schools, colleges and public sector organisations rely on us as their first call. Because when you need someone tomorrow morning, quality matters as much as speed. Because education matters, and so does maintaining the excellence of every public service.
We promise, we deliver. It's that simple.
Our Temporary Staffing Solutions
Flexible cover options to match your specific needs
Emergency Supply (Same/Next Day)
When illness strikes or emergencies arise, we mobilise immediately. Pre-vetted professionals ready to step in and deliver quality service within hours.
Short-Term Cover (1 Day - 4 Weeks)
For planned absences, training days, or assessment periods. Consistent professionals who integrate quickly and maintain your standards.
Long-Term Supply (4+ Weeks)
When you need stability during extended absences. The same professional throughout, becoming part of your team with reduced rates for commitment.
Specialist Cover
Critical periods demand specialist expertise. From exam invigilators to SEN specialists, healthcare support to project-specific professionals.
How Our Rapid Response Works
Alert Us (2 Minutes)
Call our hotline or use our online portal. Tell us the role, setting, and any special requirements.
We Mobilise (Within 30 Minutes)
Your consultant immediately contacts suitable professionals from our active pool—targeted approaches, not mass emails.
Confirmation (By 3pm for Next Day)
We confirm your supply professional with full details—experience, arrival time, and any specific preparation needed.
Morning Handover
Your supply professional arrives early for handover. We follow up to ensure smooth integration and gather feedback.
Why Organisations Choose Our Supply Services
What sets our temporary staffing apart
Quality Without Compromise
Every supply professional is interviewed, reference-checked, and where possible, observed in practice. We ensure they can deliver, not just that they're qualified.
True 24/7 Support
Not an answering service—real consultants who understand education and public services, available when you need them most during term time.
Consistent Supply Pool
Build relationships with regular supply staff who know your organisation, reducing handover time and maintaining continuity of service.
Transparent Pricing
Clear daily rates with no hidden fees. Volume discounts for regular users. Invoice consolidation available to simplify your processes.
Comprehensive Vetting
Enhanced DBS checks, qualification verification, reference validation, and safeguarding training completed for every supply professional.
Sector Understanding
We know education timetables, curriculum requirements, NHS shift patterns, and public sector compliance needs. We speak your language.
Supply Roles We Cover
Rapid response across education and public sector services
Teaching & Cover Supervision
Primary teachers across all year groups, secondary subject specialists, cover supervisors, FE lecturers, and education support staff ready to maintain learning continuity.
SEN & Support Staff
SEN specialists, teaching assistants, learning support assistants, behaviour support, 1:1 support for pupils with additional needs, and inclusion team cover.
Healthcare Support
Healthcare assistants, nursing bank staff, patient support workers, clinical support roles, and administrative cover for NHS and healthcare settings.
Leadership & Management Cover
Interim leadership for unexpected departures, senior team cover during transitions, and experienced professionals for critical management periods.
Cost-Effective Solutions
Our transparent pricing structure means you always know what you're paying, with no hidden costs or surprise fees.
Volume Benefits
- Regular users benefit from preferential rates and priority access to our supply pool
- Preferred supplier agreements available with enhanced service levels
- Termly contracts offer predictable budgeting and guaranteed availability
No Placement, No Fee
You only pay for successful cover. If we can't fill your requirement, there's no charge. Simple, transparent, fair.
Safeguarding Excellence
Every supply professional, every single time, undergoes comprehensive safeguarding checks. We're fully committed to protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
Pre-employment checks include:
- Enhanced DBS with barred list check
- Professional references verified with direct contact
- Qualification certificates confirmed and verified
- Safeguarding training completed and current
- Right to work documentation verified
- Prohibition checks completed where applicable
What Our Clients Say
Feedback from organisations who trust us for temporary staffing
"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
"I wanted to thank David from the bottom of my heart for sending me on the UCB assignment. His call seven weeks ago came as a godsend, as I was looking for work and never knew I was capable of achieving more. If he had not shown faith in me that day, I would never have come out of my shell and would never have had the chance to show my capabilities. I really appreciate his efforts as he went above and beyond looking after me in this short-term assignment. He gave me regular weekly calls to check up on me and is always ready to provide work for me in the future. I have absolutely loved working with Dovetail and Slate and look forward to continuing to do so."
Anonymous
"Dovetail & Slate offers amazing recruitment services. The organisation's prompt response to emails and calls is quite encouraging. It provides detailed and comprehensive information to potential employees or job seekers with excellent professional follow-up guidance. I had different recruiters inviting me for a talk after going through my LinkedIn page and knowing that I am highly experienced, but they would not provide details and clarity about their offers. Clarity and comprehensive details are an essential part of information that should never be ignored. This organisation is good at providing clear and comprehensive information. Also, the polite manner of approach from the organisation's representatives is quite welcoming. I strongly recommend the establishment keeps up with its approach to recruiting job seekers. My experience with the organisation is awesome."
Anonymous
"Paulina was incredibly helpful throughout my job search and documentation process. Her guidance was clear, professional, and always timely, making the entire experience smooth and stress-free. What I appreciated most was her genuine care, attention to detail, and willingness to go the extra mile. Thanks to her support, I successfully secured a job and completed all the necessary steps with confidence. I highly recommend her services!"
Anonymous
Your Supply Specialists
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Frequently Asked Questions
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