Externally provided workforce

EPW sourcing must be undertaken in compliance with our procurement processes. We currently has a contract with Randstad who are the primary provider of EPW and they must be utilised for all EPW other than in these circumstances:

• for interims (grade 19 and above or specialist professional role) Professional Procurement Frameworks will be used - including NEPRO - these organisations provide specialist senior managers posts.  Further advice should be sought from the CPCM team on the procurement process
• interim Corporate Directors and Assistant Directors will be undertaken with the support of the HR team making use of any national Framework Agreements where applicable.
• self-employed consultants may be used either where this represents better value for money or where the requirement cannot be met from the above.  However, CPCM and The HR team must be consulted at the planning stage

Third party engagement

“A worker supplied by a third party temporary work agency where existing in-house resources are not available”

This will include Agency Workers and Interims (including IT “Contractors”) where sourced and engaged through Third Party Provider with payment being paid to that provider (not the individual). 

Individuals will have no employment status with the council (but may have employment status with agency). 

They will be protected by Agency Worker Regulations 2010 (pay parity etc).

Interim workers and agency workers are provided by Randstad (Council Managed Service Provider). Nominal code 17610

When to use an interim worker

An Interim worker is generally:

• engaged where senior managerial expertise (usually Grade 19 or above) or specialist professional/ technical (for example, IT, Systems implementation) experience is required;
• on a short to medium term basis, and which cannot be resourced in-house
• They are normally used to deliver a strategic piece of work - for example, major change programme, or 
• to cover a senior, specialist role pending recruitment or restructure

Timeframe for interim workers

Likely to be at least three months and usually full time. Must be reviewed on a regular basis. 

When to use agency workers

In general terms, an agency worker may be engaged where:

• there is a temporary or ad hoc need for staff at a less senior level (Grades 1 to 18) 
• for short-term, clearly defined work for a limited period, eg to cover unexpected short term absence, seasonal variations 
• or a temporary influx of work (for example, a preplanned event) or while determining the level of long-term, permanent need

Timeframe for agency workers

Short-term. Must be reviewed on a regular basis

Self employed consultant

“A provider of professional specialist knowledge, skill or service, invoicing us directly for services”

They will have experience of technical methodologies and will normally advise rather than deliver.  They will be unlikely to be in a line management role.

They will work on their own account, providing their own insurance and services.

Will be outcome based with a clear timeframe.

Self employed consultants are contracted for services subject to self-employed HMRC rules. Nominal code 32826.

When to use a self employed consultant

You should use them when:

• highly specific expertise is not available in-house or where an external analysis, objective advice and/or professional assistance is required
• it is a discrete project with a measurable or defined outcome
• day to day presence is not required
• where new ideas or the latest thinking is needed
• a critical project needs to be fast tracked

Timeframe for self employed consultants

Project is defined by key outputs. Must be reviewed on a regular basis.

Contact the CPCM Team

Email: procurement.mailbox@cumbria.gov.uk