a case study on Abri and Randstad’s partnership in social housing.
How a leading housing provider in the south of England, Abri, partnered with Randstad to overcome recruitment challenges, deliver results, and build thriving communities.
background.
Abri, a prominent housing provider in the south of England, owns and manages over 50,000 homes, serving a community of 114,000 residents. True to its name, which means "shelter" in French, Abri is dedicated to creating environments where people can belong, grow, and thrive. Their mission—to empower lives and establish sustainable, safe homes—requires a robust and efficient workforce to meet the demands of their ambitious projects.
Randstad’s relationship with Abri stretches back to 2020, building upon an earlier partnership with Radian Housing that began in 2013. Following a 2020 merger with Yarlington, Radian Housing evolved into Abri, inheriting both its commitment to community development and a workforce structure reliant on its Direct Labour Organisation (DLO). This in-house team carries out repairs and maintenance across all 50,000 homes, from reactive fixes to planned upgrades and void management.
This extensive scope of work demanded a reliable recruitment partner capable of addressing varied needs across blue- and white-collar roles. Randstad stepped up to the challenge, drawing on a deep understanding of the housing sector and years of expertise in property services recruitment.
the challenge.
Recruitment in the social housing sector comes with unique challenges. Although Abri has an in-house recruitment team, the complexities of the labour market often necessitate external support for specialised and hard-to-fill roles. For example, trades professionals, many of whom have long histories of self-employment, may not possess conventional CVs or engage with online job platforms. Reaching and engaging this hidden talent pool required creative strategies and nuanced industry insight.
Abri operates with a strict Preferred Supplier List (PSL), assigning specialist agencies to specific sectors within their organisation. Randstad was chosen for its proven track record in filling trade and operative roles locally, particularly in the property maintenance market. Beyond recruitment, Abri also sought a partner who could provide actionable insights into market conditions, skill shortages, and salary trends—critical factors for maintaining a competitive edge in a challenging hiring landscape.
the solution.
Randstad developed a bespoke recruitment strategy tailored to Abri’s unique needs. This included a consultative approach that went beyond traditional recruitment, focusing on industry-specific insights and innovative practices.
By leveraging its property services expertise, Randstad’s consultants provided credible, informed advice to Abri. They not only understood the intricacies of the social housing sector but also aligned with Abri’s values, ensuring that every hire fit seamlessly into their mission of community empowerment.
To maximise efficiency, Randstad implemented a rigorous and multi-layered approach:
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comprehensive role briefing.
Detailed consultations were conducted to capture the required skills, experience, and cultural fit for each position.
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AI-enhanced talent search.
Advanced AI tools were used to mine Randstad’s UFO database, building robust shortlists quickly and accurately.
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rigorous vetting.
Candidates underwent extensive checks, including identity verification via TrustID, right-to-work checks, employer history reviews, qualification assessments, and reference checks.
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candidate support.
Beyond recruitment, Randstad offered tailored CV and interview advice to candidates, including training for Abri tenants—a valuable service that underscores Abri’s commitment to community development.
