Flexible help allows you to manage the business's workload without committing to ongoing employment costs.
Freelancers and contractors are self-employed people who provide services to your business in return for payment.
You agree a fee for the work. The person sends you an invoice that you pay. They are usually responsible for their own tax and deductions.
Freelancers and contractors may work:
You agree a contract to cover the work to be done and payment terms. You cannot dictate how, when or where the work happens.
Special tax rules, known as IR35, or off-payroll working, can apply to freelancers and contractors. Get advice from an accountant if you hire someone through an umbrella company.
You can hire a recruitment agency to supply you with temporary workers. Your contract is with the agency, not with the individual worker.
The agency is usually responsible for:
After 12 weeks of continuous employment, an agency worker is entitled to the same rights as a permanent employee in your business.
When choosing a recruitment agency, check:
Outsourcing allows small businesses to access specialist skills without the commitment and cost of hiring permanent employees. You can outsource to a company, an individual or to a virtual assistant service.
Outsourcing can be a good choice if your business needs help with specialist functions like:
If you want to outsource work through a company or individual, ask people in your network for recommendations and check online reviews.
Government-supported work placements give you an opportunity to assess someone before potentially offering them a job.
You provide a person with real work experience, supervision and feedback to help build their skills.
Depending on the scheme, you’ll receive funding to help cover employment costs.
To find out more about government support to build your future workforce, contact the Employer Services Line.
Your business can partner with Jobcentre Plus to shape work experience placements to meet your skills needs, while giving young people experience to build their skills and strengthen their CVs.
People taking part in work experience continue to receive benefits, meaning placements are unpaid. A written agreement will explain what you are expected to provide and what support you can get from Jobcentre Plus.
Work experience placements through Jobcentre Plus typically last between 1 and 8 weeks. A placement can be extended by up to 12 weeks if it is linked to an apprenticeship or the participant is waiting for a disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.
T Levels are technical qualifications in England that combine classroom learning with a minimum 315-hour industry placement, which can be shared with other employers.
Hosting a T Level learner is a good way to tackle skills shortages, get extra support on real work and build your talent pipeline.
A Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) is a fully government-funded programme consisting of up to 6 weeks of tailored pre-employment training, a work placement, and a guaranteed job interview. Responsibility for delivering this programme is shared between your business, Jobcentre Plus and a training provider.
Supported internships are for young people aged 16 to 24 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. The young person will spend around 70% of their time in the workplace, supported by a job coach at no cost to you.
Hosting a supported intern is a good way to diversify your workforce and build a talent pipeline.
