Contract recruitment
IT contractors, with the practical side sorted.
When you need a contractor, finding the right person is only half the job. The other half is the IR35 position, the payroll route, timesheets, invoicing and an agreement both sides understand. We do both halves, and you deal with one person throughout.
We recruit contractors for IT support and infrastructure, cloud, data and reporting, software development and school IT. Short assignments, longer projects and cover.
When a contractor makes sense
Contractors aren't always cheaper than permanent staff. The case for them is usually speed, a specific skill, or work with a clear end point.
Project work
A migration, a rollout, an upgrade or a development deadline that your team can't absorb on top of the day job.
A skill you don't have in house
Someone who has done this exact type of work before, for a piece of work that doesn't justify a permanent role.
Cover
Sickness, parental leave, a resignation, or a permanent search that is taking longer than planned.
Extra capacity
A busy period where you need more people for a few months without committing to another permanent salary.
Steadying things
An experienced interim to keep a function running, pick up a stalled project or hand over cleanly to a permanent hire.
How it works
- 1
The brief
We talk through the work itself, the skills that matter, location and working pattern, likely duration, budget or day rate, and when you need someone. It's a conversation, not a form.
- 2
The search
We look for contractors who have done this kind of work recently, check their availability and rate, and talk to them properly about your role before you see anything.
- 3
Introductions
You get a short write up on each person: what they've done that's relevant to your work, when they're available, their rate, and anything you should know. Then you interview them or have a technical conversation.
- 4
Agreeing the engagement
We discuss the applicable IR35 and engagement requirements, agree the appropriate payroll or contracting route, issue the assignment schedule, and get timesheets and invoicing ready. Where required, the contractor receives a Key Information Document before agreeing terms.
- 5
During the assignment
We stay in touch with you and the contractor. Timesheets, extensions, changes to rate or working pattern, and notice all go through us, and every change is confirmed in writing.
We won't promise a shortlist in a set number of days. How quickly we can introduce people depends on the skills and the market, and we'll give you an honest view at the brief stage.
How contractors are engaged
We help you understand the practical differences between inside and outside IR35 arrangements, including umbrella and limited company routes. The appropriate structure depends on the role, working practices and the arrangements available for that assignment.
Inside IR35, through an umbrella company
This is our standard set-up. The contractor is employed by an umbrella company, which runs PAYE and pays them weekly. You pay us one day rate, plus VAT, invoiced weekly against approved timesheets, and we pay the umbrella. You don't need to put anyone on your payroll or deal with the umbrella company yourself.
Since 6 April 2026, the agency that supplies a contractor through an umbrella company shares liability for that umbrella company's PAYE. In practice that means the umbrella route has to be set up with care, and we work with an established umbrella company that we contract with directly.
Roles you think are outside IR35
If you believe a role is genuinely outside IR35, we can talk through what that means, how the working arrangements matter and which documentation and contracting options need considering. We can help you navigate the process without guaranteeing a particular status or engagement route.
What we agree with you at the start
No two assignments are the same. A three month infrastructure project, a year long data role and holiday cover in a school all need different things. These are the points we agree before the contractor starts, and they're written into the assignment schedule so nobody is guessing later.
Length and extensions
Assignments can run for a few weeks or for a year or more. We agree start and end dates, and if the work runs on, we extend with a new end date confirmed in writing. Extensions aren't automatic. You, the contractor and we all need to agree.
Notice periods
Clients can propose the notice period that works for the assignment, whether that is a short rolling arrangement, a longer notice period or a defined initial term. We discuss and agree the appropriate provisions with the relevant parties and record them in the assignment schedule. Notice arrangements can be varied for different assignments.
Day rates
We'll give you an honest view of the day rate the skills and location need, and agree one day rate with you, plus VAT. If the rate needs to change, for example on an extension or a change of duties, we agree it in writing first. Expenses are only charged where you've agreed them in advance.
Invoicing and payment terms
We normally invoice against approved weekly timesheets. If your purchasing or finance team needs a different invoicing cycle or payment arrangement, tell us at the outset. We can discuss the options and agree suitable terms, subject to the relevant commercial arrangements and approvals.
Timesheets
Contractors submit their timesheets online each week. You'll have a named approver and a backup approver, so one person being on leave doesn't hold anything up. Approval requests come by email, and the approved timesheet is what we invoice from.
Working pattern and location
On site, hybrid or remote, the days per week and the hours are agreed at the start and recorded in the schedule.
Purchase orders and supplier set-up
If your finance team needs a purchase order number on invoices, or has a supplier onboarding process, tell us early and we'll fit around it.
Keeping a contractor on permanently
If a contractor works out well and you want to keep them, you can. Our terms set out a transfer fee, or the option to keep them on through us for an agreed period instead, after which they can join you with no fee. We'll go through the figures before the assignment starts, so there are no surprises.
When things change
Projects move. When they do, we handle the change with you and the contractor. That can mean:
- a new end date or an extension
- a change to the day rate
- a different working pattern or location
- a change to the duties or scope of the role
- ending the assignment early, under the agreed notice
Each change is agreed by both sides and confirmed in writing. If the change affects how the work is done, your IR35 decision should be looked at again too.
The paperwork, in plain terms
Every assignment sits under our terms of business for supplying temporary workers, with an assignment schedule for that contractor. The schedule sets out:
- the contractor and the work they'll do
- start and end dates
- location, days and hours
- the day rate and any agreed expenses
- how often we invoice and your payment terms
- the notice period on both sides
- the transfer fee and the option to keep the contractor on through us
- who approves timesheets
- any qualifications or checks the role needs
We also make sure the contractor's own contract covers confidentiality and passes the rights in the work they do on your assignment to you. Equipment, system access and any security vetting are agreed with you before the start date.
If your organisation has its own supplier terms, send them over early and we'll work through them with you before anyone starts.
What's in place before anyone starts
- Right to work checked.
- The applicable engagement route and any required IR35 status documentation discussed and confirmed with the responsible parties.
- The contractor's Key Information Document issued before they agree terms, showing how their pay is worked out.
- The assignment schedule agreed with you.
- Any checks the role needs, such as an enhanced DBS, BPSS or security clearance, discussed at the brief stage and completed before the start date.
- Timesheets and invoicing set up, with your purchase order details if you need them.
- Where the Agency Workers Regulations apply, we'll explain what changes at the 12 week point before the assignment starts.
Contractors we recruit
IT Support & Infrastructure
Project and cover contractors for service desks and infrastructure teams. Typical roles include 2nd and 3rd line engineers, desktop and deployment engineers for device rollouts, Windows Server and Active Directory engineers, network engineers, Microsoft 365 and Intune specialists, and migration engineers.
Data & Reporting
Data engineers, Power BI and Microsoft Fabric developers, SQL and database specialists and Python developers, for reporting projects, data platform work and migrations.
Software & Web Development
.NET and C# developers, full stack, React and TypeScript, PHP and Laravel, Shopify and e-commerce developers, application support and testing, for deadlines, extra capacity and modernisation work.
Schools & Education IT
IT technicians and engineers for term time cover, holiday projects and device rollouts, for single schools and trusts. Enhanced DBS and the Update Service are discussed up front, and the school's own safeguarding checks always apply.
Embedded & Engineering Software
Embedded C and C++, firmware, embedded Linux, RTOS, low-level software development and hardware/software integration. Permanent and contract recruitment for specialist engineering and product development teams.
Cyber Security
Infrastructure security, security engineering, secure-by-design principles, vulnerability management, SIEM and SOC, endpoint security, identity and access management, and cloud security. Permanent and contract specialists to help businesses strengthen their security and manage risk.
Contract recruitment questions
Can we hire a contractor for a short project?
Yes. Assignments can run for a few weeks. For very short pieces of work, talk to us early, because the set-up still has to be done properly before the contractor starts.
Can a contract be extended?
Yes, if you, the contractor and we all agree. We confirm the new end date, and any change to the rate, in writing before the current end date.
Can we agree a shorter notice period?
Yes. Clients can propose short rolling notice, longer notice or another arrangement that suits the work. The agreed provisions are recorded in the assignment schedule and apply according to the contract.
Do you recruit for inside and outside IR35 roles?
We regularly support inside IR35 umbrella engagements and can explain the practical differences between inside and outside IR35 requirements. If you are considering a different contracting route, we can discuss what is involved and confirm the arrangements available for the assignment before anything is agreed.
Who decides whether a role is inside or outside IR35?
If your organisation is in the public sector, or is a medium or large private sector business, the decision is yours. You need to give the contractor, and whoever you contract with, a Status Determination Statement with your reasons. Small private sector clients don't make the decision. Our IR35 guide explains this in more detail.
Do we need to put the contractor on our payroll?
No. On the umbrella route the contractor is employed by the umbrella company. You pay our invoice and we pay the umbrella.
How are timesheets approved?
Contractors submit them online each week. Your named approver gets an email request and approves online, and there's a backup approver for when they're away. We invoice from the approved timesheet.
Can we have different invoicing or payment terms?
We usually invoice against approved weekly timesheets, but we can discuss different invoicing and payment arrangements to suit your purchasing process. Any agreed terms are confirmed before the assignment begins.
Can we use our own contract terms?
Send them over early. Lots of organisations have supplier terms or onboarding steps, and we'll work through them with you. Where your terms and ours differ, we agree what applies before the contractor starts.
What happens if the work changes?
Tell us. Changes to duties, hours, location or rate are agreed with you and the contractor and confirmed in writing. If the change affects how the work is done, your IR35 decision should be reviewed too.
Can contractors work remotely or on a hybrid basis?
Yes, where the role allows it. The pattern is agreed at the start and written into the schedule.
Can we take the contractor on permanently?
Yes. Our terms set out a transfer fee, or the option to keep them on through us for an agreed period first. We'll go through the figures before the assignment starts.
Can you help with a Statement of Work?
We can discuss a genuine deliverables-based Statement of Work and explain how it differs from supplying an individual contractor. We do not present a Statement of Work as a shortcut around IR35 or promise managed project delivery without agreeing a suitable service arrangement.
What do you need from us to start a search?
What the work is, the key skills, location and working pattern, roughly how long for, a budget or day rate if you have one, and when you need someone. A rough brief is fine.
Do you also recruit permanent staff?
Yes. We recruit permanent and fixed-term staff in the same markets, and we'll tell you honestly whether a contractor or a permanent hire makes more sense.
Need an IT contractor?
Tell us what the work is, the skills you need and when you need someone to start. If the requirement is still taking shape, that's fine. We can talk through the market, likely day rates and how the engagement would work.