AN ENTERPRISE described by its founder as a new innovation in the recruitment industry is vying for a very appropriate title at The Press Business Awards 2016.

The Helping Hub Limited, which specifically deals with recruitment in the childcare sector, is a contender in the Business Innovation of the Year category.

It has been set up by Ruth Newton, who started her own children’s day nursery and before and after-school club, Young Discoverers, in 2008.

She has now branched out to provide much-needed recruitment services to fellow nursery owners and managers.

Mrs Newton has thought about what is required entirely from the perspective of the nursery owner. Faced with increasing challenges in finding the right candidates for roles, she has used her experience of more than 20 years in recruiting people in various sectors to have a robust process of interviewing and vetting candidates, including assessment in a childcare setting, prior to having them on her books.

All pre-employment checks are carried out by the hub, and the safer recruitment process strictly followed. “These steps ensure a much higher quality of candidate being offered to childcare settings. Ruth also looks at longer-term prospects for the individuals, seeking to support them in finding a career in childcare when the best opportunity or vacancy arises, as well as looking at relief roles,” the entry said.

“The flexible approach of The Helping Hub has enabled Ruth to provide consultancy services regarding permanent recruitment, and running joint recruitment days at settings to reach the widest reach of potential workers possible, whilst giving a sound solution to staffing issues on a temporary basis.”