The challenge
As Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council’s managed service provider for all temporary recruitment, we were approached to fill an urgent vacancy in adult social care.
Unlike typical requirements, this role called for a senior interim - bringing an added layer of complexity, as it required not only speed and dependability, but also an applicant with the strategic experience and leadership capability to make an immediate impact.
Caitlin Chapman, Head of Service for Learning Disability, Autism, Mental Health and Preparing for Adulthood at Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council (TMBC), required a senior interim service unit manager to support her adult social care team during a period of significant operational pressure.
The solution
Rather than casting a wide net, Jack Heston, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at Reed Talent Solutions, took a consultative approach from the outset.
He recognised that early alignment on expectations was critical - particularly for senior interim roles, where briefs can evolve as stakeholders refine their requirements.
Balancing candidate availability with the council’s urgency was equally important, ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining engagement on both sides.
After requesting an initial summary of the role, Jack met with Caitlin in person to gain a deeper understanding of the brief, explore the core requirements, areas of flexibility, and define the non-negotiables.
“I made sure I developed a strong understanding of Tameside’s requirements,” said Jack. “I positioned myself as a consultative partner rather than simply a CV provider, focusing on identifying an individual who could integrate seamlessly into the existing team and make an immediate impact.”
For Caitlin, this early collaboration was key: "I met with Jack to explore exactly what was required, and by the end of this period I felt we had a really good 360 view of what was needed."
With the brief clearly defined, Jack drew on his own network of high-performing professionals with proven experience in similar local authority settings. Rather than overwhelming the council with sheer volume, he presented a carefully curated shortlist of four highly relevant potential hires.
He then maintained momentum throughout the process, proactively coordinating interviews, providing regular updates, and managing expectations on both sides to ensure the process remained efficient and on track.
The results
The focus on quality rather than quantity proved effective. Within a week, Caitlin had four strong applicants to consider, and Jack supported the council in scheduling interviews together at pace.
Jack’s clarity on the brief also changed how Caitlin approached the interviews themselves. "The support with focusing on the brief really helped me understand what I wanted from the successful candidate, and this enabled me to think differently about the interview”, she explained.
“The only question we asked was “tell us about yourself, who are you in and outside of work”. Because the brief was so clear, the interviews were really successful, drew out the skills of the candidates, and gave a really good feel for who they are as leaders. Three out of four were appointable – I have never had such successful agency interviews!”
For Jack, this response validated the time invested upfront. "It reinforced the strength of my network and highlighted just how important it was to invest time at the start to understand the brief and take a quality-over-quantity approach," he said.
Ultimately, the successful applicant, Sadia, was appointed as Service Unit Manager and was in post within two and a half weeks. For Sadia, the experience felt tailored from the very start: "I was introduced to the role by Jack at Reed. He took the time to understand my background in adult social care, my leadership experience, and my passion for supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and those preparing for adulthood," she said. "He then matched me with a role that aligned perfectly with my aspirations."
She also valued the support throughout the process: "Jack was proactive and incredibly supportive throughout. He provided clear information about the role, prepared me thoroughly for each stage, and consistently checked in to ensure I felt confident. His friendly, reassuring nature made the entire experience positive and stress free."
With the right leader now settled into the team, Caitlin is already seeing the difference in the services being delivered, and is in the process of transitioning Sadia into a permanent role. "She has hit the ground running, and I can see she will make a massive impact. It's a pleasure to work with her."
Caitlin was clear she would work with Reed again. "The process was quick, thorough, and effective. It really helped me think about what I needed to ensure the appointment had the biggest impact," she said. "Jack met all needs and has been very supportive and very effective.”
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