Flexibility Without Compromise
Temporary & Supply Work
Your career, your schedule. Choose when you work, where you work, and how often—from daily supply teaching to long-term placements across education and public sector. Competitive rates, weekly pay, and a team that actually gets it.
Why Go Temporary?
Permanent roles demand permanence. Temporary work gives you something different—the freedom to shape your career around your life, not the other way around.
Whether you're a teacher seeking balance, a healthcare professional exploring different settings, or returning to public service after a break—temporary work puts you in control. Test environments before committing. Gain experience across schools, hospitals, councils, and housing organisations. Build a portfolio career or find your perfect permanent fit.
We support hundreds of temporary professionals every week. Weekly pay, genuine flexibility, and consultants who understand your life doesn't revolve around work.
Because flexibility matters.
Why Professionals Choose Temporary
The benefits that make flexible work, work
Complete Flexibility
Choose when you work, where you work, and how often. Block out dates, work term-time only, or build a regular pattern—it's entirely your choice.
Competitive Pay
Daily rates from £140-£280 depending on experience and role. Weekly pay every Friday, holiday pay accrued, and pension contributions included.
Diverse Experience
Work across different schools, NHS trusts, local authorities, and housing organisations. Broaden your skills and discover what environments suit you best.
No Planning or Marking
For supply teachers and some education support roles—focus on delivery without the administrative burden. Come in, teach, leave refreshed.
Route to Permanent
Many temporary placements convert to permanent positions. Test before you commit, build relationships, and find where you truly fit.
Ongoing Support
Dedicated consultant support, morning briefings, post-placement feedback, and free CPD access through our HOW2 platform.
Roles We Fill
Flexible opportunities across education and public sector services
Supply Teaching
Day-to-day supply, short-term cover (1-4 weeks), long-term placements (half term+), primary and secondary, subject specialist cover, and SEN supply positions.
Education Support
Supply teaching assistants, cover supervisors, exam invigilators, intervention workers, 1:1 support staff, and temporary administrative roles in schools and colleges.
Healthcare Temporary
Bank healthcare assistants, temporary nursing staff, allied health professionals, NHS administrative cover, patient support services, and clinical support roles.
Local Government Temporary
Temporary social workers, youth work cover, community services temporary staff, planning support roles, environmental health cover, and administrative temporary positions.
Early Years Cover
Nursery supply staff, early years practitioners, temporary early years teachers, childcare cover, and children's centre temporary roles.
Housing Temporary
Temporary housing officers, emergency accommodation support, tenancy services cover, homelessness prevention temporary roles, and supported housing staff.
SEN Specialist Supply
SEND school supply, specialist SEN teaching assistants, behaviour support cover, alternative provision staff, and specialist setting temporary roles.
Exam & Assessment Period
Exam invigilators, assessment support, exam officer cover, results day temporary staff, and marking period administrative support.
Types of Temporary Work
Day-to-Day Supply
Ultimate flexibility—work only when you want. Perfect for work-life balance or portfolio careers. No planning required for teaching roles. Rates: £140-£220 per day for education, £130-£180 for healthcare and local government.
Short-Term Placements (1-4 weeks)
Consistent work with one team or class. Build relationships and gain deeper experience. Some planning involved for teaching roles. Enhanced rates for commitment. Often extends to longer placements.
Long-Term Supply (Half Term+)
Stability with flexibility. Become part of the school, hospital, or organisation. Full responsibilities but maintain temporary status. Competitive rates plus holiday pay. Often leads to permanent offers.
Specialist & Premium Supply
SEN specialists, subject shortages (Maths, Science, Languages), healthcare specialists, leadership cover. Premium rates from £220-£280 per day reflecting expertise and demand.
Getting Started
Quick Registration
Simple online registration or phone call. Discuss your preferences, availability, and ideal placements.
Compliance Made Easy
We handle your DBS, references, and all checks. Most professionals are work-ready within 5-7 days.
Choose Your Work
Receive notifications for suitable positions. Accept what works for you—no pressure, no obligations.
Pre-Placement Support
Morning briefings with key information, tips for success, and consultant support throughout the day.
What Supply Staff Say
Real feedback from professionals who've found flexibility through temporary work
"10/10 I had an excellent experience with Dovetail and Slate, who quickly understood what I was looking for and matched me with the perfect role. I really appreciated the regular updates and clear communication throughout. I felt supported at every step, which made the whole process smooth and stress-free. I would highly recommend Dovetail and Slate to anyone seeking their next career move. I did not have to chase or worry about anything."
Rabena Faried
Jon Heller
Principal Recruitment Consultant
"I wanted to thank David from the bottom of my heart for sending me on the UCB assignment. His call seven weeks ago came as a godsend, as I was looking for work and never knew I was capable of achieving more. If he had not shown faith in me that day, I would never have come out of my shell and would never have had the chance to show my capabilities. I really appreciate his efforts as he went above and beyond looking after me in this short-term assignment. He gave me regular weekly calls to check up on me and is always ready to provide work for me in the future. I have absolutely loved working with Dovetail and Slate and look forward to continuing to do so."
Nida Kiani
David Hilliker
Principal Recruitment Consultant
"Dovetail & Slate offers amazing recruitment services. The organisation's prompt response to emails and calls is quite encouraging. It provides detailed and comprehensive information to potential employees or job seekers with excellent professional follow-up guidance. I had different recruiters inviting me for a talk after going through my LinkedIn page and knowing that I am highly experienced, but they would not provide details and clarity about their offers. Clarity and comprehensive details are an essential part of information that should never be ignored. This organisation is good at providing clear and comprehensive information. Also, the polite manner of approach from the organisation's representatives is quite welcoming. I strongly recommend the establishment keeps up with its approach to recruiting job seekers. My experience with the organisation is awesome."
Henry Oyakhire Adebamah
JJ Grace
Principal Recruitment Consultant
Understanding Your Pay
Safeguarding & Compliance
We're fully committed to safeguarding and the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. Our safer recruitment process is KCSIE-aligned and regularly audited.
All temporary candidates undergo comprehensive pre-employment checks including:
- Enhanced DBS checks appropriate to the role
- Identity and right to work verification
- Professional reference verification (a minimum of two references)
- Qualification verification and Teaching Regulation Agency checks where applicable
- Overseas police checks where applicable
- Prohibition and barred list checks for relevant roles
Quick-Start Resources
Everything you need to succeed in temporary public sector roles
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Your Supply Work Specialists
Meet the team who'll support your flexible working journey
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Take Control?
Join hundreds of professionals who've found flexibility and opportunity through temporary work.