Meet Leanne Biegus - Staffordshire Branch Manager

Meet Leanne Biegus, our Branch Manager in Staffordshire. It’s hard to believe that Leanne only joined us in July, she feels like a fully-fledged member of the team!

We sat down for a quick Q & A to learn about her passion for the industry, what she’s been up to since starting and her plans for 2025.

1. It’s great to have you on the team Leanne! Tell us about your background?

I have always lived in Stoke, so I know the area really well. I went to University to study Psychology, intending to become a Clinical Psychologist. After graduating from University, I started working for Cygnet as a bank Mental Health Support Worker in Stoke-on-Trent, Blackburn and North Wales, supporting both males and females who have Schizophrenia, personality disorders, drug and alcohol addictions, mild learning disabilities and challenging behaviours. I started full-time with the Stoke service and worked there for 5 years.

Once I had my first child, I decided to move on to a more office-based role and began working for a community care company as a Care Coordinator. This is where I “fell into” recruitment! I started resourcing carers to cover the domiciliary care calls I was responsible for and really enjoyed it. Coming from a care background gave me the knowledge and experience I needed to ensure I was recruiting workers who really cared and wanted to make a difference to the lives of people they were supporting.

I had the bug for recruitment and decided to go into Healthcare Recruitment as a Care Resourcer. During my recruitment career, I have also worked in the driving sector too, which was… different! But my passion is in the healthcare sector, so I returned a few years later and started working as a Senior Healthcare Recruitment Consultant, managing homecare hours, and care packages in the community with clients who have acquired brain injuries, spinal injuries, mental health disorders, dementia, and those who required end of life care.

I quickly progressed within the company and after a few promotions, became the Recruitment Manager, based in Chester, overseeing 5 Resourcers who were responsible for recruiting healthcare workers in multiple locations for care homes, supported living services, mental health hospitals, NHS, and care in the home clients.

I then went on to have my second child, and following maternity leave, made the move to Safehands Recruitment as the Branch Manager and have now been working here for 8 months. I am really enjoying the challenge of building up the Staffordshire area, but also moving into the Cheshire areas, as this is new for Safehands!

2. What has changed in the Staffordshire branch since you started?

We have moved to a new office, based at the Genesis Centre in Tunstall. I recruited Hannah who is our Recruitment Consultant. We have been very busy recruiting new care workers, building up new clients in the Staffordshire and Cheshire areas and maintaining relationships with existing clients.

3. What locations do you cover?

From the Stoke branch, we cover all of Staffordshire and Cheshire; including, Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stone, Stafford, Uttoxeter, Crewe, Winsford, Macclesfield, Stockport, Nantwich, Northwich, Chester, Wirral, Flintshire.

4. Tell us about your team.

We are a small team at the moment in Stoke, with just myself (Branch Manager) and Hannah (Recruitment Consultant). Hannah has been an amazing addition to the branch. She comes from a care background herself, working for a domiciliary company – so she understands the importance of recruiting the right staff to fill the vacancies we have. She studied Law at University and is currently completing a HR course. Hannah has assisted with recruitment in a previous role, but not in the temp healthcare sector. She has hit the ground running and now has the recruitment bug!

5. What are the plans for the branch in the coming months?

We are looking to expand further into the Cheshire area and expand into the homecare sector. Safehands are CQC regulated, with our own healthcare division. This, coupled with the recruitment part of the business, means we are in a strong position to take on care packages in the local area and have a large pool of staff readily available at short notice.

As we continue to grow the branch, we will be adding to the office team!

6. What is your niche?

The Staffordshire branch has a large pool of PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression) trained staff who are experienced in Mental Health. This is quickly becoming an area we are seeing more demand from, and coming from a mental health background myself, is something I am passionate about.

7. What can healthcare clients expect from your branch?

Healthcare clients can expect an honest approach to compliance and recruitment. We will never compromise safety of the services we provide healthcare staff to. Our healthcare backgrounds ensure we are only recruiting staff who are going to benefit the services we supply to. We are available 24/7, and our staff are available to cover at short notice when needed.

8. What are the top 5 benefits of the Stoke branch?

• We only recruit care workers who meet the criteria of the services we are recruiting for
• Both Hannah and I have a healthcare background
• We have a large pool of PMVA trained staff
• We provide on call 24/7 support which is fully manned by the branch team, meaning your service will never go without support and you’ll always speak to someone who you know and who knows your business
• Perfect location to recruit staff in both Staffordshire and Cheshire, and support clients in both areas too!

9. Tell us about your complex care support.

We cover various care packages at the moment in Staffordshire and are looking to expand this further. Our carers who cover the packages receive great feedback from the families of the clients and do an amazing job! Our packages include providing respite to families, medicine administration, taking the clients out for shopping, food and hobbies and more.

To contact Leanne or Hannah, call today on 01782 491551 or email staffordshire@safehandsrecruitment.co.uk