Frequently Asked
Questions

If you don’t have one, we’ll support you to apply for an Enhanced DBS and register with the Update Service.

Yes, all candidates must have recent, referenceable experience working with children or young people. This ensures we meet our compliance standards and place confident, capable staff in schools.

Very easy! After an initial chat to understand what you’re looking for, we’ll:

1. Book a registration meeting (online or in person)

2. Ask you to complete online registration forms and upload documents securely

3. Complete all compliance checks together. Most candidates are cleared and ready to work within a week.

At Heart of Supply, we pride ourselves on providing a professional, reliable and relationship-led service to schools and education professionals.

When you work with us, you can expect:

Clear and honest communication – Friendly, responsive support and regular updates.

High standards of compliance – Thorough candidate vetting, safeguarding and safer recruitment practices.

A personalised approach – Taking the time to understand the needs of schools and the strengths of educators to make the right match.

Reliable, ongoing support – From early-morning cover requests to longer-term placements, we’re here when you need us.

As an REC Audited Education agency, our recruitment processes have been independently assessed against the REC’s specialist education recruitment standards, providing additional reassurance of our commitment to safeguarding, professionalism and quality.

For further information, please view our Customer Service Policy here

Heart of Supply is built on relationships, honesty and a passion for education. We take the time to get to know you, understand what matters to you and match you with schools where you’ll feel valued and supported. Our approach is simple: personal, local and always people focused.

Yes, refer a teacher or teaching assistant who registers successfully and receive £50 as a thank you. No faff, no waiting for them to work a set number of days.

Yes! As part of your registration, you’ll receive access to The National College, where you can explore thousands of courses to support your professional development. Visit our CPD & Development page to find out more.

No, we pay all our staff directly through PAYE, weekly (subject to deductions).

Absolutely. You’ll have a dedicated consultant for regular check-ins, feedback from schools and support whenever you need it.

We can’t guarantee it, but we work with a wide network of trusted schools. The more flexible you are with year groups, travel and availability, the more opportunities we can offer.

No. Early-morning calls are common for day-to-day supply, but we work around your availability. You can update us any time your availability changes.

We’ll check your availability at registration, give you access to an online calendar, and you can always text or call if your availability changes.

Not necessarily. Many of our candidates don’t drive. We’ll focus on schools within walking distance or accessible by public transport.

Yes! We’ll only offer you roles where you feel confident and experienced, whether that’s EYFS, KS2, Secondary or SEND.

No. We offer full-time, part-time and occasional work around your commitments.

We offer a wide range of opportunities to suit your experience, skills and availability, including:

Day-to-day and short-term supply – Flexible work to fit around you.

Long-term and temp-to-permanent placements – Opportunities for greater consistency and continuity.

A variety of settings – Roles in nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools and SEND settings.

A range of positions – Including Teachers, Teaching Assistants and Learning Support Assistants.

Whether you’re looking for flexible supply work or a longer-term opportunity, we’ll help you find the right fit.

Yes, in a long-term role that lasts at least one full term and is approved for induction. Many ECTs start with short-term supply to build confidence before securing induction placements.

We understand that not every placement will be the perfect fit. If something doesn’t feel right, we’re always here to listen, offer advice and work with you to find a suitable solution. Your wellbeing and happiness at work matter to us.

We’re committed to providing the best possible service and welcome feedback from both schools and candidates. If you ever have a question, concern, or suggestion, please contact our team and we’ll do everything we can to resolve the matter quickly and fairly.

Absolutely. We know feedback is an important part of helping you grow and feel confident in your role. We regularly check in with our educators and schools, sharing constructive feedback where available and offering support whenever needed.