Our story
We are a market-leading health and social care recruitment company. Employing over 200 people from our Ipswich head office, we are proud to be one of the region’s most successful businesses and currently feature as 11th in the Suffolk Top 100 companies (Grant Thornton Suffolk Limited 100, 2022).
At Sanctuary, we believe that if you’re going to have a story to share, it needs to make an impact. That’s why our story is one of growth, inspiration and courage.
While the rest of the recruitment sector has largely remained static, we continue to innovate, and it’s been an incredible journey!
Interested in working internally? Find out more.
Our milestones
Take a look back at our achievements over the years.
2020
CEO James Rook joins Process C-19, a not-for-profit supporting the NHS with rapid deployment of services during the pandemic. Sanctuary exclusively recruits nurses for the NHSBT plasma programme, as well as COVID-19 vaccinators for NHS Trusts.
2019
Innovate Services launches, a social work-led managed service that works collaboratively with local authority children’s services. Sanctuary rebrands and launches its new website bringing all services under one online roof.
2018
Sanctuary International launches with a wraparound pastoral relocation support service to help health & social care professionals relocate to the UK.
2017
James Rook, Sanctuary’s CEO, is appointed as Chair of The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) Health and Social Care Sector Group.
2016
Sanctuary Health is awarded a place on the NHS National Clinical Framework to supply healthcare professionals across England and Wales.
2015
A sub-division within its own right, Sanctuary Health is launched to cover the full spectrum of healthcare recruitment needs for clients.
2014
Sanctuary wins 'Best Large Business' at the Anglian Business Awards and ‘Recruitment Agency of the Year’ at the Recruiter Awards.
2012
Sanctuary sets up specialist teams exclusively focused on recruiting mental health and criminal justice professionals working in secure settings.
2011
Taking the role of headline sponsor of the Social Worker of the Year Awards, Sanctuary supports the charity which celebrates social work.
2010
To meet the specialist demand for resourcing senior executives within the social care sector, Sanctuary Executive is launched.
2006
Sanctuary Personnel is formed on 20 October 2006 by experienced social care specialists looking to improve recruitment standards.
What we stand for
These are our core beliefs shared by everyone at Sanctuary Personnel. Values we advocate for, and that underpin our business at every turn.
People
We show respect with open communication. We listen to each other and encourage growth and development through training and the sharing of knowledge.
Integrity
We take pride in honesty, ethics and fairness. We continuously strive to conduct our business with the highest standards of professionalism.
Innovation
We value the creativity of our employees. We invest in and promote the advancement of ideas, knowledge and technology throughout the company.
Excellence
We commit to the highest standard in customer service. Through continuous improvement we aim to exceed the expectations of our stakeholders and clients.
We share one vision. To provide a brighter future for our employees, contractors, clients and the vulnerable people we support.
Our leaders
Our people are at the forefront of health and social care, and they share one vision – to co-produce healthier, more resilient services. They are subject matter experts and innovators.
Placing people first
As a candidate, you’ll always be more than a number to us. You are there for people when they are at their most vulnerable. So we feel it’s our duty to find you a role that’s just the right fit. It’s simple; we care because you do.
Innovation
We advocate for what is possible and do not accept the constraints within the recruitment sector.
Forged from an in-depth understanding, we constantly design innovative services for our clients that enable them to become more efficient, save money and provide better services to the vulnerable people they support.
Celebrating diversity
We celebrate, respect and find value in the difference between people. We promote an environment that welcomes and appreciates diverse backgrounds, skills, thinking and experience.
All our employees are supported to think innovatively, whether they are an apprentice on their very first day or a senior manager.
Responsibility
Although ‘recruitment’ is what we ‘do,’ there are other things we care about too. Our employees want to make a positive contribution, which means doing everything we can to support this. We encourage fundraising and are delighted to say that our efforts enable many charities to continue their phenomenal work. Being mindful of how we interact with our suppliers and treat one another is also part of our culture.
Awards & accreditations
Excellence does not come as standard within our sector. It takes continuous commitment to do things differently. This very approach has seen us win and be shortlisted for the awards that celebrate excellence in business and recruitment.
Our proudest achievements
2022
Public/Third Sector Recruitment Agency of the Year
Sanctuary Personnel's first time entering the British Recruitment Awards and we are named Public/Third Sector Recruitment Agency of the Year. The judging panel commented “Hiring great people is key to building a thriving organisation and we’re immensely proud to recognise the inspirational teams and individuals that are working hard to make this happen day-in, day-out."
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2021
Highly Commended as Best Large Recruitment Business
The first time entering the highly regarded Global Recruiter Awards and Sanctuary receives two Highly Commended Awards; one for Best Large Recruitment Business and another for Best Client Service. The judges noted that Sanctuary “is an impressive business, that carefully measures impact for clients and candidates as well as giving back to the health sector at every opportunity.”
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2020
Positive Social Impact at Lloyds Bank National Business Awards
Sanctuary receives the country’s top award for businesses taking an ethical approach to private-sector partnership by scooping the Positive Social Impact award at the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards. The award win recognises how Sanctuary has evolved its services to go way beyond what would usually be expected of a recruitment partner to make a positive contribution to society.
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2020
Best Client Service at the Recruiter Awards
Sanctuary, once again, flies the flag for excellent health & social care recruitment by picking up a national award for Best Client Service at the highly acclaimed Recruiter Awards. The judging panel comments that “Sanctuary stands out as a winner in this category for follow through to impact, providing great, solid customer service.”
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2019
Best Public/Third Sector Agency
Being awarded Best Public/Third Sector Agency for a third time at the Recruiter Awards, Sanctuary receives the UK’s most coveted national accolade for health and social care recruitment. In a special mention, the judges note that “Sanctuary genuinely cares about the public sector and delivers an innovative approach to hard-to-fix situations.”
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Our news
Keeping your data safe: We're Cyber Essentials Plus certified!
We're delighted that our data security efforts have been recognised - we're Cyber Essentials Plus certified! This wouldn't have been possible without the help of Spear Shield, trusted local cybersecurity experts here in Ipswich. As part of our commitment to safe recruiting, securing sensitive data is crucial. This certification proves our proactive measures to prevent cyber risks. Let's take a look at what it means and why it matters. Cyber Essentials Plus To get certified, we embarked on a meticulous process to boost our cyber defences. This included: Multi-factor authentication (MFA). We've taken a step forward by enabling MFA for all user accounts. This means that even if someone gains access to a password, they'd still need an extra layer of verification. Network and device security. Our network and devices have been fortified with a firewall, encryption, and antivirus software. Plus, we're always on the ball with regular updates, staying one step ahead of any security threats. Software and application approval. We only use software from trusted vendors. This way, our tools are reliable and secure, minimising the risk of potential threats. Smart software management. We've removed any unsupported or unsecured software from our network. This further minimises potential points of vulnerability. Password policy. A strong password policy is now in place, protecting user accounts with passwords that are hard to crack. User access and account management. We've set up clear guidelines overseeing the usage of administrative accounts and who gets access. This ensures that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive data. What this means for youThis achievement is more than a certification – it's bringing you peace of mind. As a critical friend to both employers and candidates, your data's safety is our top priority. With our vigilant security measures, we're standing strong against malicious actors who might look to gain unauthorised access to sensitive information. So, you can relax knowing that your information is safe and secure. Top tips for cyber securityWhile we celebrate our new certification, here are some easy-to-follow tips to boost your own cyber security: Multi-factor authentication. Switch on MFA on all your accounts. This is an extra layer of security to ensure attackers cannot access your accounts, even if they have your password. Use strong passwords. Craft strong passwords that are difficult to guess. And remember, don't use the same key for different doors – use unique passwords for each account! Regular updates. Keep your devices and software up to date to protect you from malware. Updates often include crucial security patches that shield you from emerging threats. Our Cyber Essentials Plus Certification is a fantastic step in our promise to keep your data safe. We're proud of this achievement and want to thank Spear Shield for guiding us through. As we keep growing and innovating, know that your safety is our top priority. Thank you for placing your trust in us. At Sanctuary, we pair our candidates with roles we know are a direct match to their skills, knowledge, experience, and future aspirations. Upload your CV to get started!
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Our Women in Leadership
Happy International Women's Day! Today is a day to celebrate the incredible achievements of women and reflect on the progress made towards gender equality. This year, we’re sharing the stories of our accomplished female leaders. We’ll be exploring their journeys, gaining insights into what it takes to be a successful female leader, and learning from their experiences as they offer advice to women looking to follow in their footsteps. Let’s take a look! Introducing…Tori GarnsworthyStrategy and Innovation Director (joined in 2016 as a Projects Officer)Amy KolapoCommunity Manager (joined in 2019 as a Marketing Account Manager)Lucia LaneAccounts Payable Manager (joined in 2010 as a Finance Junior)Gemma RawMarketing Manager (joined in 2013 as a Marketing Assistant)Lucy PearsonAssociate Director (joined in 2016 as a Recruitment Consultant)Can you name a woman who inspires you and why?Amy: There are so, so many! If I have to choose just one, I’ll go big and say Michelle Obama. To start with, she’s a great communicator. Whether it’s giving a persuasive speech to thousands of people during an election campaign or sharing personal experiences and practical advice in her #1 bestselling memoir, she knows how to get a message across in a relaxed and sincere way. It feels like she’s talking directly to you. She also made a huge impact during her time at The White House. She was the first Black FLOTUS and became a role model for women around the world with her important work improving the health outcomes of American families, and with her international initiative, ‘Let Girls Learn’, which empowers young girls to reach their full potential through education. Michelle masterfully advocates for equal rights, healthy living, help for families and better education for girls, and does so with grace and a ‘can-do’ attitude – such an inspiration! Tori:I tend not to take inspiration from people, although I often find their acts or words to be inspirational. For me, the moments that create inspiration come from traveling, learning new things, sports, music, art, and nature. Lucia:I have been blessed with the most amazing strong females in my family who work hard, stand up for what they believe is right and are unapologetically themselves. If I had to name one it would be my lovely Gran (Granny Mags) she has been through a lot in her life, at nearly 87 she still manages to shock us as a family with her determination to keep pushing on. She has battled health problems with absolutely no moaning, it doesn’t matter what life throws at her she is ALWAYS smiling. She inspires me to grab life by the horns, be the best version of myself and never give up. Lucy:My Mum, she is my rock. She helps me with anything and everything and I couldn’t do life without her. Since becoming a Mum myself, she has helped me become the best Mummy I can be.What's a piece of advice or feedback that you received that had the biggest impact on your career?Amy:“You can do anything with a positive attitude better than you can do it with a negative one.” One of my first managers mentioned this, and it has stuck with me over the years - not only in my professional life, but outside of work too. I’m a big believer in the power of a positive mindset, not only because I hear you’re more likely to live a longer and happier life (!) but it can motivate you and your colleagues to produce great work, and to move projects forward when challenges arise. Gemma:1. This one gets easier with experience! “Be honest” – If a decision is being made, it doesn’t matter who else is in the room, you’re there because your opinion and expertise is valued too. In my experience, people respect honesty providing you’re polite and it’s constructive. 2. Growing up, my parents taught me that you can achieve anything if you want it badly enough, and that stuck with me – all of my opportunities have come from either building good relationships or working hard. Tori:I’m responsible for achieving my goals and creating opportunity. If it matters then I’ll find a way, and if not then I’ll find an excuse. Lucia:Our CEO, James has always been my biggest mentor at Sanctuary, he has helped me through difficult times in my life and I am forever grateful for his support. His feedback on my attitude towards work has always driven me forward. Lucy:Never give up. As a consultant we have bad days/weeks, but reflect on what you did well and what you could have done better and learn; always learn from your mistakes and from listening to those around you. I was lucky enough to start my career at Sanctuary with the best manager, who has always been there to help me be the best I can be and has taught me all I know.What advice would you give to other women that aspire to be in leadership roles? Amy:I would encourage other women who aspire to be in leadership roles to ask themselves the question: ‘What am I good at?’ So much confidence can come from really understanding yourself and your core strengths in the workplace. Once you know what your strength is, ‘lean in’ and push yourself to learn as much as you possibly can about that thing – become the best at that thing, don’t settle. Knowing what you do really well provides a solid foundation to build a fulfilling career, leading and inspiring others. Gemma:The same advice I’d give to anyone hoping to progress in their career – never stop learning. I found a great starting point for career progression is being honest with yourself about the aspects of your job you’re weakest at, whether that’s skills-based or a specific competency such as communication. From there, put together a long-term career plan of where you want to get to and add key milestones in for each year on what you want to achieve – think about what that end role might require and how to combat those weaknesses. A plan like that gives structure to your learning and makes you feel as though you’re working towards something. Your CPD may take different forms, it doesn’t have to be paid courses. Follow industry leaders on LinkedIn, tap into free resources (HubSpot and SEMrush have great free courses and blogs for marketers!), and learn from your peers. And once you get there, keep moving the goal post… There’s always more to learn! Tori:Don’t aspire to be in leadership roles. Leadership is an important skill to have, but it’s not the end goal – every role has leadership responsibilities. Think about the impact that you want to have and identify a role that will enable you to achieve it. Then figure out what it takes to be excellent in that role, work hard, fail fast and learn. Be prepared to change course. You can always start again. Lucia:1. I started at Sanctuary when I was 16 and have been very fortunate to have learnt from some great leaders/colleagues, so my advice would be to learn & listen, you can gain so much knowledge from listening to other people and learning a different perspective on more efficient ways of working. 2. You are never too small or too young to make a difference, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Take a look at our current internal vacancies.
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Sanctuary climbs to No.11 in the Suffolk Top 100
We’re really excited here at Sanctuary Personnel as Suffolk’s Top 100 businesses listing has just been announced. We’ve risen by two places to number 11 in the annual Grant Thornton Suffolk Limited report. Now in its 21st year, the Top 100 offers a unique insight into the achievements and contributions of the Suffolk business community to the regional economy. Reaching 11th place is a big achievement for Sanctuary Personnel. In 2006, we were a small group of ambitious recruitment consultants looking to improve social care recruitment. Today, it’s heartening to see how far we’ve come in having a hugely positive impact on the entire health and social care sector. Across the group, we now employ more than 200 people who look after a community of 40,000 health and social care professionals and 400 employers. An innovative approach Together, everyone at Sanctuary Personnel shares the same passion. We see the problems in health and social care recruitment, but we do not accept them. Instead, we step outside the traditional agency role to offer a far more collaborative and solutions-based approach, which has seen us continue to grow. Nurturing our own talent Everyone has a role to play. There’s not a single person who is not contributing to Sanctuary’s success. We’re all rowing in the same direction, and a lot of this is due to having a positive internal culture. Our people are given the opportunity to learn from one another and push themselves to excel within their roles. It’s a fantastically supportive place to work. Adding value We’re an ethical resourcing partner. For us, growth goes beyond financial gain. Everything we do is with conviction. We never lose sight of the fact that our business is all about people; those who care for others when they are at their most vulnerable. We understand the daily pressures our candidates and clients face and proactively look for opportunities to add value. Quite simply, by pushing forward, we’re able to make an even greater positive social impact. Making time for charity One of the many advantages of being our size is that we can support our local community. Our staff give generously, proactively put themselves forward for volunteering and take on fundraising challenges to help causes close to their hearts. Reaching the final 15 in Suffolk’s Top 100 is a nod to how we’re breaking down boundaries within our sector to benefit people across the UK and beyond. We’d like to, once again, thank Grant Thornton Suffolk Limited and Birketts for continuing to run such an important report programme. It’s always a pleasure to be listed alongside other inspiring Suffolk businesses.
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Legal documents
Gender Pay Gap
Sanctuary Personnel is required by law to publish an annual gender pay gap report.
Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement
This statement is made as part of Sanctuary Personnel's commitment to eliminating the exploitation of people under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
