Domestic Staff Recruitment Agency
Our approach is simple, when you speak to one of our experienced and dedicated consultants, they will listen very carefully and make sure they understand your household list of requirements.
From the moment you approach us with a position to be filled, your dedicated consultant will begin the search. Therefore, you will know exactly who will be providing the service throughout the whole process – continuity and communication is vital.
Benefits of our Domestic Staff Agency
Furthermore, we spare our busy clients the added stress of sifting through heaps of unsuitable CVs by providing them with a carefully selected shortlist.
Since 1996, we have selected our candidates with care and attention, taking into account your property, or properties and current staffing. In addition, offer a complimentary consultation service where we can recommend alternative staff for the smoother running of your home.
What you can expect
Staff of Distinction can recommend our ‘Successfully and Previously Placed Staff” and those in this league carry the initials SPP next to their name and they always stand out.
Our Requirements and Screening Process
Since our inception in 1996, many of our candidates have come to us through recommendation as have most of our clients who depend on us for all their staffing needs.
With offices in the City of London and Bath, Sarajane runs a busy and vibrant agency where we receive endless enquiries from staff looking for their next role. Equally, in our experience clients’ requirements are never the same.
Ensuring the very best Domestic Staff
Above all, we see it is a crucial that we accurately ascertain exactly the clients requirements before making our recommendations.
Lastly, using our expertise, we follow a stringent selection process, which results in approximately 30% of applicants having the necessary experience to register with Staff of Distinction.
This ensures our registered candidates will have:
- A good service history
- Minimum of 5 years experience in private service for UK positions
- 5 years experience in private service for overseas positions
- Well matched expectations
- Excellent personal presentation
- Proficient English language skills
- In-depth knowledge of the workings of a household
And of course excellent references
Part of our screening and application process, we always require the following documentation:
- An up-to-date CV
- Proof of ID (Passport)
- or Driving Licence which we check for penalty points
- Proof of address (current Utility Bill)
- Verifiable written references which support the applicant’s experience
- All Certificates (including Food Hygiene Certificates if role involves food prep or cooking)
- A DBS (Previously known as CRB or Police Clearance)
Subject to an in-depth telephone interview, the applicant will be invited by the specialist consultant to attend an interview at either our Mayfair or Bath office.
There they will submit original copies of all documentation and will be required to complete a very detailed Application Form.
We take up references as part of the process, after which they are either invited or in some cases… not invited to join our agency.
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London Office
- C/O WeWork, 1 Fore Street Avenue, London, EC2Y 9DT
- +44 (0)20 7795 6255
- Friday: 9am to 5pm
- Monday - Thursday: 9am to 5:30pm
- london@staffofdistinction.com
Bath Office
- 19-20 Charles Street, Bath, BA1 1HX
- +44 (0)1225 484190
- Friday: 9am to 5pm
- Monday - Thursday: 9am to 5:30pm
- bath@staffofdistinction.com
Domestic Staff Roles
Staff of Distinction are adept at placing all types of professional Domestic Staff. Please select from one of the categories below to get a flavour of the skills and expertise some of our high-calibre candidates can offer.
Call and speak to one of our dedicated specialists now on + 44(0) 20 7795 6255
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of domestic household staff do you offer your clients?
We specialise in placing permanent domestic staff with our clients all of whom are looking for staff with a solid work record and references to demonstrate their skills and expertise. Our staff range from:
- Housekeepers
- Housekeeper/Nannies
- Housekeeper/Cooks
- Housekeeper/PA’s
- Housekeeper/Companions
- Domestic Couples
- Chefs/Cooks
- House Managers
- Butlers
- Private PA’s
- Estate Managers
- Property Maintenance Specialists
- Gardeners
- Chauffeurs
All our our domestic staffs have minimum of 5+ years’ experience with some possessing 20+ years’ experience giving our clients complete peace of mind.
What nationalities are your household staff
Our candidates’ nationalities vary according to the role and we take applications from an array to include British, European, Filipino, Nepalese and more. Please note that in order to work through Staff of Distinction, the candidate must hold the relevant work visa and/or passport for the Agency to accept their application
if applying for a UK job. For overseas jobs, we would ask that the client takes legal advice in their country of residence in order to fully comply with their country’s laws.
What do I need to comply with when employing domestic staff for my household?
All UK employers of domestic staff are required to pay Tax and National Insurance along with NEST Pension Contributions. If the job is overseas, the Tax Laws of that country will apply and it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure they are compliant.
How do ensure the domestic staff has a Visa?
The beauty of using Staff of Distinction for all your household staffing needs is that we will only introduce to you candidates who either hold a British Passport or who are legally allowed to work in the UK. We do not accept applications from candidates who have yet to apply for their UK work visa. For international jobs, our clients are of the mind that they may have to apply for a working visa depending on which country the job is based, however, we will always try to ensure the staff possess the passport that is most favourable when matching to the job.
Do your household staff only work in the UK?
When we take applications from staff we will discuss where they would like to find their next job and check that they have a legal entitlement to work there whether its in the UK or overseas.
How do you find the domestic staff you introduce?
Now in our 30th year, we have a built fine reputation with clients and candidates and both return to us time and time again. Not only that, they tell their friends and family about the success they have had with Staff of Distinction which means we have lots of recommendations. That said, we also advertise our jobs on our website which does create a large response from suitably experienced applicants
What is the recruitment process?
A client will telephone the Agency and speak to the specialist consultant who will note their requirements and by careful questioning will build a full picture of what the job entails. Our experience and know-how enables us to fully understand the workings of the client’s household requirements and thus we can fully how to fulfil that role. We will discuss the working days, hours, duties and salary for such an Employee and send our Terms of Business. Once all agreed, our specialist search begins!
Do you charge a Registration Fee like some agencies?
No we don’t charge a fee to register or to start the search. We do ask that you agree to our Terms so that we can commence our search. Once the offer of employment has been confirmed by both the client and the candidate has accepted, we will charge an Introduction Fee which includes a 12 week Replacement Period.
What if we are unhappy with the member of staff?
Our Service includes a 12 week Replacement Period which gives our clients peace of mind. While this is rare, if the member of staff is not the right fit and this is apparent during the first 12 weeks’ employment,
we will look at other applicants for the role to replace the original member of staff on a like for like basis. We would like to emphasise this rarely happens but is there for back-up which our clients welcome.
What information do you send to clients when introducing domestic household staff?
Firstly, before we send any candidates’ information to our clients, we will discuss the role with the best suited candidates and gain their consent to share their details. Our clients will only receive CV’s and references of candidates who are genuinely interested in the vacancy and also whom are very well suited.
What if I want to recruit a member of staff before I give notice to my current member of staff?
We can of course begin our search immediately according to your wishes but we would discuss with you why they are not working out and if there is anything you can do to improve their performance or, depending
on the issues, how you can resolve with your current member of staff before starting the search for a new candidate. We are always available to give advice if needed depending on the circumstances, but last resort, we can
look at your other options before you take the leap.
How do I settle in my new domestic member of staff
Firstly we would look at if this was a new role or an on-going role. If this is a new role, it’s important to have a well set out Job Specification to clearly list the duties and responsibilities therein. The time it takes to
perform the duties must be realistic and any member of staff starting a newly created role will understand that a degree of flexibility is required to finalise the best working routine and practice.
How far in advance do I need to register my domestic staff job?
We can work to any timescale but our clients typically look 3 months’ ahead and our candidates are either readily available or will usually have a one month notice period to fulfil. That said, our clients register at a convenient time
based on their circumstances. If it’s an urgent request, we will work night and day to fulfil the vacancy, however, all jobs will receive the dedication required in order to fulfil the client’s needs and expectations.
Do we need a Contract of Employment
Yes all household staff should be issued a Contract setting out the Terms of their employment.
How do we arrange the Contract?
Staff of Distinction will take care of all aspects of the contract by supplying a legally binding contract that is issued once the placement has been confirmed by both parties.
