Osa Specialist Recruitment

02/09/2026

The school holidays may be coming to an end, but for working parents, the juggling doesn't necessarily stop when children go back to school.

It can be easy for employers to think that once September arrives, some of the pressures around childcare will come to an end.

But inset days, parents' evenings, school events, changing childcare arrangements and the unexpected moments that come with family life continue throughout the year.

The best employers recognise this and respond with understanding, while still considering the needs of the service and the wider team.

Because creating a workplace that recognises the realities of family life isn't just about supporting employees. It can also help build a stronger, more loyal workforce.

Research from Working Families found that 73% of parents say flexible working has increased their loyalty to their current employer.

Flexibility will look different for every individual and every service. It might be predictable working patterns, greater notice of rotas, agreed changes to start and finish times, or simply creating an environment where people feel able to have honest conversations about what they need.

Supporting people to balance their responsibilities outside work isn't separate from building a strong workforce. It can be part of retaining experienced people, reducing avoidable turnover and creating teams where people feel valued and able to contribute over the longer term.

For care providers, where continuity and experienced staff make such a difference, supporting people to build sustainable careers can benefit not only the workforce, but the people receiving care too.

What flexible approaches help strengthen loyalty and retention within your team?

01/09/2026

September is Update Your CV Month, providing a useful reminder that updating your CV does not have to wait for a job search before it receives some attention.

Even if you are happy in your current role and aren't considering a move, keeping your CV up to date can be useful as a record of your professional development. You may be surprised by just how much new experience, skills and knowledge you build gradually through your everyday work.

Taking the time to reflect on what you've learned, the responsibilities you've taken on and the experiences you've gained can help you recognise progress that might otherwise go unnoticed.

When was the last time you looked at your CV and recognised just how much you've learned since you last updated it?

28/08/2026

Communication is such an important part of care, but it does not always look the same for everyone.

For professionals working alongside people with communication difficulties, understanding different ways of communicating can make a meaningful difference. Makaton can provide another way for people to express themselves, understand others and take part in everyday life.

Through our conversations with care professionals, we know how much skill, patience and understanding good communication can require. It is not simply about knowing what to say. It is about being willing to listen, adapt and find a way to connect.

Makaton is a great skill to have, and there are lots of resources available online for anyone who wants to learn more. If you already have Makaton skills, it is definitely worth including them on your CV. Communication skills like these can be a valuable addition to your professional toolkit.

This year marks 50 years since the very first Makaton workshop was delivered 💛

As part of our Makaton International Awareness Day celebrations, Makaton Tutor and Ambassador Nic reflects on 50 years of Makaton workshops – from those early beginnings in 1976 to the way we continue to learn and communicate together today.

You can read Nic’s blog here: https://bit.ly/4glUiWH

28/08/2026

The new school term is almost here.

For many families, returning to a routine can bring a sense of familiarity and structure. But even when the school bags are packed and the routines are back in place, there are still so many important moments parents want to be part of.
For many parents and carers, the first day back is a milestone. Whether it's starting school for the first time, moving up a year, or simply settling back into a routine, these are moments that matter.

And they don't stop after the first day.

There are school assemblies, parents' evenings, performances, celebrations, and all the everyday moments that make up family life.

Finding the right role isn't just about where you work. It's about finding a career that allows you to be present for the moments that matter, while continuing to grow professionally.

If you're looking for a role that better fits your life, your commitments, and your ambitions, we'd love to help you explore what's possible.

Find a job where you can build your career while still being present for the moments that matter.

27/08/2026

Are you looking for care work that gives you the freedom to choose when you work, while still knowing that what you do has real value?

As an agency Care Assistant, you can choose ad hoc shifts when they suit you, take on block bookings or provide additional support to care teams during periods of increased need or staff absence.

You could find yourself working alongside different teams and supporting people with different needs, bringing your own experience, knowledge and compassion into each setting.

For some shifts, that might mean helping an established team maintain consistency while a member of staff is away. For others, it could mean providing dedicated 1:1 support to someone with complex needs, giving them the time, patience and individual attention they need.

That variety can be valuable too. It gives you the opportunity to see different approaches to care, work within different environments and broaden your professional experience, while still having the flexibility to choose work that fits around your life.

And you won’t be doing it alone. You’ll be part of a supportive team that understands the realities of frontline care and values the experience you bring.

If you’re looking for care work that gives you choice, variety and the opportunity to make a genuine difference, we’d love to hear from you.

21/08/2026

Are you an experienced care professional ready for your next step?

We’re looking for a Deputy Manager to join a welcoming, homely care environment.

This is an important leadership role supporting the Registered Manager and the wider team to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.

You’ll have the opportunity to:
✨ Lead, motivate and support a dedicated care team
✨ Help ensure residents’ wishes, preferences and wellbeing remain at the centre of care
✨ Support care planning, safeguarding and quality assurance
✨ Deputise for the Registered Manager when required
✨ Support staff development, training and supervision
✨ Build positive relationships with residents, families and healthcare professionals
✨ Help maintain a safe, welcoming and well-run home

We’re looking for someone who is compassionate, organised, proactive and confident in their leadership skills, with previous experience in a similar role and a minimum NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care.

If you’re passionate about supporting teams to deliver care that is genuinely person-centred, respectful and meaningful, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Interested in finding out more? Get in touch today or apply now.

20/08/2026

Looking for flexible care work that gives you variety, purpose and the opportunity to make a real difference?

We’re looking for experienced Care Assistants to work across Burnham-on-Sea and surrounding areas, supporting people across a range of care environments.

Agency care can offer more than flexibility.

It gives you the opportunity to bring your skills, experience and compassion into different teams and settings, using what you already know to provide stability, reassurance and high-quality care where it matters most.

You can choose ad hoc work when it suits you, or take on block bookings, stepping in to support care teams during short or long-term absences. You could also have the opportunity to provide dedicated 1:1 support for someone with complex needs, giving them the individual attention, patience and encouragement they need.

The variety of agency work can give you the opportunity to experience different care environments, broaden your professional experience and work alongside different teams, all while being part of a supportive organisation that understands the realities of frontline care.

If you’re an experienced Care Assistant who wants to bring your skills where they can make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

19/08/2026

It has been positive to see social care placed firmly on the political agenda, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham making reform of the sector a major priority.

The government is also progressing towards the first Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care, with negotiations expected to begin in 2027 and the first agreement due to take effect in April 2028. Alongside this, the Care Workforce Pathway is being developed to create clearer routes for career development across adult social care.

Pay is undoubtedly an important part of recognising the responsibility, skill and value involved in care work.

But it raises another question worth considering:
Is pay alone enough to make care a career people want to build?
Through our work with care organisations and professionals, we see how much the wider experience of work matters too.
Manageable workloads. Supportive leadership. Opportunities to develop. Clear career pathways. A workplace culture where people feel respected, listened to and able to do their job well.

A competitive salary may attract someone to a role, but the experience of working within an organisation can have a much greater influence on whether they choose to stay.

And retention matters. When experienced professionals remain within a service, they bring knowledge, relationships and continuity that can benefit the people receiving care as well as the wider team.

The new reforms represent an important opportunity to recognise and strengthen the care workforce. But organisations do not have to wait for national reform to think about how they value their people.

What does making care a career people want to stay in look like in your organisation?

With Andy Burnham saying he wants to bring "substantial change" to social care in England, BBC Verify looks at what could be done.

18/08/2026

What could supporting a child with complex needs actually look like?

We’re currently looking for compassionate and resilient Support Workers to support children and young people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs across Somerset, Cornwall, and South Gloucestershire

We have packages supporting young children with learning disabilities and complex needs, who may find school overwhelming and sometimes struggle to communicate how they are feeling.

There may be days when emotions become difficult to manage. Days when plans change, routines feel unfamiliar or the world simply feels like too much.

But there are also the good days.

The days spent playing at home.
Family days out.
Trying something new.
Exploring somewhere exciting.
Laughing with siblings.
Spending time with the family dog.
Discovering something they didn't think they could do.

And sometimes, the person helping make those moments possible is a Support Worker.

Not someone who simply provides care, but someone who takes the time to build trust, understand communication, create consistency and celebrate the small victories.

Someone who can become a familiar, reassuring presence in a child's life.

You might be supporting a child at home, helping them enjoy activities and days out, supporting family life or helping them develop confidence and independence.

There may even be opportunities to support families on holidays, helping children experience new adventures and make memories.

Experience in children's care, autism, learning disabilities or behaviours that challenge is highly valued, but above all, we're looking for people who are patient, kind, reliable and genuinely want to make a difference.

Because sometimes, making a difference isn't about doing something extraordinary.

It's about being there consistently enough for a child to feel safe, understood and capable.

It's about helping them discover what they're capable of, one day at a time.

Could you be that person for a child?

17/08/2026

As we move through the summer, many of the conversations we’ve had have been with working parents navigating the balance between their careers, family life, and everything in between.

The summer months often highlight how important flexibility can be. It might be having a role that allows you to enjoy a family holiday without worrying about whether your time away will be supported, being able to finish a little earlier for an important moment, or having a workplace that understands the commitments you have outside of work.

A fulfilling career should be part of your life, not something that competes with it.

The right role is one that supports your goals, recognises your commitments, and allows you to thrive both professionally and personally.