Temp Agency Croydon: Specialist, Trade & Shift Cover When You Need It
A school needs a SEND teaching assistant by Monday. A housing block needs a PAS 9980 appraisal before the insurer will renew. A boiler has packed up in a care home and half the rota is off sick. That's the kind of call we take every week.
Osac Placement is a temporary staffing agency in Croydon, working from 133 St James's Road, CR0 2UW. We supply fire risk assessors, planners, environmental health officers, SEND staff, children's social workers, Gas Safe engineers, data centre technicians, back-office administrators, warehouse teams and construction site workers. You speak to a person, not a call queue, at any hour.
Straight answers on availability. Checked workers. Cover from one shift to a full project.
Typical week of Croydon requests CR0
An illustration of how requests come in. Every booking depends on the role, site and who is free.
Why Hiring in Croydon Keeps Getting Harder
Croydon sits between central London and the Surrey commuter belt, so good people have plenty of choice. Pay in town competes with London rates, while the trains out of East Croydon put the whole of zone 1 within a quarter of an hour. These are the problems local businesses, schools and councils bring to us most.
Staff who leave for central London
A 15-minute train ride separates your vacancy from a job in the City or Westminster. When people can earn a bit more with a short commute, you need a supply that's already lined up.
Specialist roles nobody applies for
Post an advert for a FRAEW assessor or a qualified children's social worker and you might hear nothing for weeks. These skills are scarce across London, and the good ones are usually booked already.
Compliance you can't afford to get wrong
Gas Safe registration, Social Work England status, enhanced DBS, CSCS cards, FLT licences. One gap in the paperwork can stop a job or land you in trouble. We check before anyone walks through your door.
Sickness called in at 6am
It never happens at a convenient time. Ring us, give us the role and the start time, and we start working on short-notice cover straight away, even before most offices open.
Christmas and peak weeks
Warehouses along the Purley Way and Beddington Lane can double their volume from November. Temporary workers let you meet that rush without carrying extra permanent headcount into January.
Agency bills with nothing behind them
Plenty of Croydon recruitment agencies send CVs and then go quiet. You end up chasing them. We confirm the shift, brief the worker, and check in once they've started.
Building safety deadlines
Since the Building Safety Act 2022, landlords and managing agents face firmer duties on fire safety. External wall appraisals and fire risk assessments can't wait for a permanent hire to come through.
In-house recruiting eats your week
Writing adverts, sifting CVs, chasing references, setting interviews that people don't turn up to. Hand the brief to us and get back to running your school, site or office.
Parking, transport and access
Some Croydon sites are easy by tram. Others in New Addington or the industrial estates aren't, especially at 5am. Tell us about access and we'll match people who can genuinely get there.
Specialist Staffing From Our Croydon Recruitment Agency
Most employment agencies in Croydon cover one or two sectors. We've built teams around nine areas where local demand is high and good candidates are hard to find. Tell us the role and the timescale and we'll be honest about what we can do.
Fire Risk Assessors (FRAEW, PAS 9980)
For landlords, housing associations, managing agents and fire consultancies working on residential blocks in Croydon and South London.
- FRAEW reports to PAS 9980:2022
- Type 1 to Type 4 fire risk assessments
- Accredited and register-listed assessors
- Short projects or portfolio rollouts
Town Planners & Environmental Health Officers
Locum cover for local authorities, planning consultancies and developers who need decisions moving and backlogs cleared.
- Planning officers and senior planners
- Enforcement and validation officers
- EHOs for food safety, housing and noise
- Interim cover during permanent recruitment
SEND Specialist Education Staff
For mainstream schools, special schools, resource bases and alternative provision across the borough. If you've been searching for teaching assistant cover in Croydon, this is the team.
- SEND and 1:1 teaching assistants
- Learning support assistants
- Autism and SEMH support staff
- Enhanced DBS checked before placement
Data Centre Fit-Out Technicians
Containment, cabling and commissioning support for fit-out contractors working on data halls around London and the M23/M25 belt.
- Cable containment and tray installers
- Copper and fibre cabling technicians
- Commissioning and test support
- ECS/CSCS and site induction ready
Children's Social Workers
Locum and interim social workers for children's services teams, plus social work assistants to support caseloads.
- Assessment, CIN and CP teams
- Looked-after children and leaving care
- Social Work England registration checked
- Social work assistants and family support
Gas Safe Heating & Boiler Engineers
For housing providers, facilities firms and heating contractors who need engineers out on the van, especially through the winter.
- Gas Safe registered engineers (card checked)
- Boiler servicing, breakdowns and installs
- Landlord gas safety checks
- Seasonal and planned works cover
Back-Office & Corporate Administrators
Admin cover for offices in central Croydon, from a receptionist for a week to a team clearing a processing backlog.
- Administrators and office assistants
- Data entry and document processing
- Accounts and payroll support
- Receptionists and customer service
Night-Shift & Emergency Warehouse Cover
Our original speciality. For distribution, parcel and retail sites along the Purley Way, Beddington Lane and the A23.
- Warehouse operatives, pickers and packers
- Loaders, goods-in and dispatch
- FLT drivers (licences checked)
- Nights, weekends and Christmas peak
Construction Site Workers
Labour for builders and contractors on housing, regeneration and fit-out projects around Croydon town centre and the suburbs.
- CSCS labourers and site operatives
- Hod carriers and bricklayers' labourers
- Groundworkers and clean-up crews
- Skilled trades where available and verified
A Croydon Staffing Agency That Knows the Borough
Our office is on St James's Road, a short walk from West Croydon station and the tram stop. From here we cover the whole borough every day, from the offices around East Croydon to the trading estates on the Purley Way and Beddington Lane.
People looking for recruitment agencies near Croydon, or recruitment agencies in Croydon Surrey (the old postal county still sticks), usually want the same thing: someone local who knows that a 6am start in New Addington is a different journey to a 9am start in the town centre. We plan around that.
Croydon is our base, but the same team supports employers in Sutton, Bromley, Merton, Lambeth and the north Surrey towns. For multi-site warehouse and logistics work, we also run cover from our Northampton head office.
Croydon coverage
Nearby
From Phone Call to Filled Shift in Five Steps
No forms to fill in twice and no waiting until Monday.
Tell us the job
Role, numbers, site, hours, start date and any must-have tickets, registrations or DBS level.
We ask the right questions
Duties, PPE, pay rate, parking, who to report to and how long the work will run.
We check and match
Right to work, references, cards and registrations confirmed against the role before we offer anyone.
They arrive briefed
Workers know the address, the gate, the start time and the name of the person to ask for.
We stay in touch
On ongoing bookings we check in, so small problems get sorted before they cost you a shift.
What Makes a Good Temp Agency in Croydon?
We get asked this a lot. Our answer isn't very exciting: answer the phone, be truthful about who's available, and send people who turn up and know the job.
24/7, properly
Schools ring at 7am, warehouses at 2am, care providers at weekends. Our line is staffed at all of those times.
Specialists, not generalists
Nine areas we know inside out, rather than a little bit of everything.
Checks done first
Gas Safe cards, SWE registration, DBS, CSCS and licences are confirmed before placement, not after.
Local knowledge
We know the trams, the estates and which sites are a nightmare to park at.
Flexible numbers
One locum for a month or twenty operatives for peak. Each booking looked at on its own terms.
Clear communication
Confirmed details in writing, so nobody shows up at the wrong building.
Temp-to-perm option
Try someone on assignment before you commit. Many clients find permanent staff this way.
A written commitment
We set out what you can expect from us. Read our guarantee.
See why employers choose us → · Learn about Osac Placement →
Industry Staffing Across Croydon and South London
A quick view of who we work with and what they usually ask us for.
| Sector | Typical roles | Checks we confirm | What employers usually need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building & fire safety | FRAEW assessors, fire risk assessors | Accreditation, PAS 9980 experience, PI cover where relevant | Fast turnaround on block-by-block appraisals |
| Local government | Town planners, EHOs, enforcement officers | Qualifications, professional membership, references | Interim cover while backlogs build |
| Education & SEND | SEND TAs, LSAs, 1:1 support | Enhanced DBS (children), safeguarding training | Reliable term-time staff who stay the course |
| Children's services | Social workers, social work assistants | Social Work England registration, enhanced DBS | Experienced locums who can take a caseload |
| Housing & facilities | Gas Safe engineers, maintenance staff | Gas Safe ID card and categories, driving licence | Extra engineers for the heating season |
| Data centres & fit-out | Containment fitters, cabling and commissioning techs | ECS/CSCS card, site inductions, test experience | Labour that scales with each project phase |
| Offices & corporate | Administrators, data entry, reception, accounts support | References, right to work, system skills | Cover for absence, projects and busy periods |
| Warehousing & logistics | Operatives, pickers, loaders, FLT drivers | FLT licence, right to work, shift availability | Night and peak cover at short notice |
| Construction | CSCS labourers, hod carriers, groundworkers | CSCS card, PPE, site induction | Labour for each phase of the build |
Latest Temp Jobs in Croydon
Looking for temporary jobs in Croydon, agency work or warehouse jobs with an immediate start? These are the job vacancies in Croydon we recruit for most often. Shifts move quickly, so call us to check what's open today.
| # | Job title | Area | Hours | Contract | Pay (from) | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christmas Warehouse Operative | Beddington Lane, CR0 | Days / nights | Temporary, immediate start | £13.20/hr | Apply → |
| 2 | Night Picker & Packer | Purley Way, CR0 | Nights | Temporary | £14.10/hr | Apply → |
| 3 | Counterbalance / Reach FLT Driver | Croydon, CR0 | Rotating | Temporary / ongoing | £15.00/hr | Apply → |
| 4 | SEND Teaching Assistant | Thornton Heath, CR7 | Term-time days | Temp to perm | £14.00/hr | Apply → |
| 5 | 1:1 Learning Support Assistant (Autism) | South Norwood, SE25 | Term-time days | Temporary | £14.50/hr | Apply → |
| 6 | Locum Children's Social Worker | Croydon area | Office & visits | Locum, 3 months+ | £38.00/hr | Apply → |
| 7 | Social Work Assistant | Croydon area | Days | Temporary | £17.00/hr | Apply → |
| 8 | Gas Safe Heating Engineer | Croydon & Sutton | Days, on-call rota | Temporary / winter season | £24.00/hr | Apply → |
| 9 | Fire Risk Assessor (FRAEW) | South London | Days | Contract | £375/day | Apply → |
| 10 | Locum Planning Officer | Croydon area | Hybrid | Interim | £36.00/hr | Apply → |
| 11 | Data Centre Cabling Technician | London / M25 sites | Days | Contract | £22.00/hr | Apply → |
| 12 | Office Administrator | Croydon town centre | 9–5 | Temporary | £14.00/hr | Apply → |
| 13 | Data Entry Clerk | East Croydon | Days | Temporary | £13.50/hr | Apply → |
| 14 | Hod Carrier | Purley, CR8 | 07:30–16:30 | Temporary | £18.00/hr | Apply → |
| 15 | CSCS Labourer | Croydon town centre | Days | Temporary, immediate start | £14.50/hr | Apply → |
Pay rates are starting rates before any shift premiums and can vary by site and experience. Every rate is above the National Living Wage. Ring 020 8629 5308 to check what's live today.
Agency work in Croydon that fits around you
Plenty of people come to us after registering with a few job agencies in Croydon and hearing nothing back. We'll ask what hours you can do, how you get around and what you've done before, then tell you straight what we have. Christmas temp jobs in Croydon start filling from early November, so it's worth getting in touch now if you want peak work.
If you've been searching for Croydon hospital job vacancies or Home Office job vacancies in Croydon, we should be upfront. Clinical roles at Croydon University Hospital go through NHS Jobs, and civil service posts at Lunar House go through Civil Service Jobs. We don't recruit for those. We do place admin and back-office staff with private employers across the town.
Not the agency you were looking for?
Some people find us while looking for Siamo Recruitment in Croydon or The Recruitment Shop in Croydon. We're a separate, independent agency with no link to either, but you're welcome to register with us too.
Interested in recruitment jobs in Croydon yourself? We're always happy to hear from people who'd like to work as a recruitment consultant in Croydon, especially if you know education, social care, construction or logistics. Get in touch.
Croydon Staffing Facts and Figures
| Topic | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,800 at the 2021 Census, up 7.5% since 2011, making Croydon London's most populous borough. Estimated at around 409,000 by mid-2024. | ONS Census 2021; ONS mid-year estimates |
| Rail links | East Croydon has fast trains to London Bridge and Victoria in around 15 minutes, and to Gatwick Airport in under 20. | National Rail timetables |
| Tram network | London Trams links Croydon with Wimbledon, Beckenham, Elmers End and New Addington. | Transport for London |
| Employment corridors | Office core around East Croydon, retail and trade parks on the A23 Purley Way, industrial units on Beddington Lane. | Osac Placement local knowledge |
| National Living Wage | £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over from 1 April 2026. | GOV.UK / Low Pay Commission |
| London Living Wage | £15.45 per hour, announced October 2026. Accredited employers have until 1 May 2027 to bring it in. | Living Wage Foundation |
| Agency worker rights | After 12 weeks in the same role, agency workers get the same basic pay and conditions as directly hired staff. | Agency Workers Regulations 2010 |
| Gas work | Anyone carrying out gas work for payment must be on the Gas Safe Register. | Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 |
| Social workers | Must be registered with Social Work England to practise in England. | Social Work England |
| External wall appraisal | PAS 9980:2022 is the code of practice for fire risk appraisal of external walls (FRAEW) on blocks of flats. | BSI |
Guides and Tools for Croydon Employers
Practical material put together from years of booking temporary staff. Use it, share it, send it round your team.
Hiring Temporary Staff in Croydon: The Employer's Guide
- Temp, locum or temp-to-perm?
- What to put in a booking brief
- Questions to ask any staffing agency
- Your duties under the AWR
Compliance Checklist by Role
- Gas Safe ID and categories
- Social Work England status
- DBS levels for schools and care
- CSCS, ECS and FLT cards
Emergency Staffing Plan Template
- Minimum staffing levels
- Critical roles and back-ups
- Who to call, in what order
- Shift handover notes
Night-Shift and Christmas Peak Checklist
- Start, finish and break times
- Transport after the last tram
- Site access and security
- Welfare facilities
Croydon Staffing Coverage Map
- Town centre and East Croydon
- Purley Way and Beddington Lane
- CR0, CR2, CR5, CR7, CR8, SE25
- Nearby Sutton, Bromley, Merton
Temporary Staffing Planning Calculator
- Workers per shift
- Hours and shifts per week
- Length of the requirement
- Total labour hours needed
Temporary Staffing Planning Calculator
Work out how many worker-shifts and labour hours your requirement adds up to. Estimates only, with no fees or pay rates included.
Need Staff in Croydon This Week?
Tell us the role, the site and the start date. We're available 24/7 for specialist, education, social care, trade, office, warehouse and construction staffing.
Looking for Temp Work in Croydon?
Warehouse, education, social care, office, trade and site work. Tell us what suits you and we'll let you know when something comes up.
Questions About Our Temp Agency in Croydon
Are you a temp agency in Croydon?
Yes. Our office is at 133 St James's Road, Croydon, CR0 2UW, and we supply temporary, locum and temp-to-perm staff to employers across the borough and nearby. You can reach us 24 hours a day on 020 8629 5308.
What kind of staff do you supply?
Fire risk assessors (FRAEW, PAS 9980), town planners and environmental health officers, SEND education staff, children's social workers, Gas Safe engineers, data centre fit-out technicians, back-office administrators, night-shift and emergency warehouse cover, and construction site workers including hod carriers.
How quickly can you send someone?
For warehouse, labour and admin roles we often cover same-day or next-shift requests. Specialist and regulated roles take a little longer because we confirm registrations and checks first. We'll always tell you honestly what's realistic. See our urgent staffing page.
Do you check qualifications and registrations?
Yes. Depending on the role we confirm right to work, references, Gas Safe ID, Social Work England registration, enhanced DBS, CSCS or ECS cards, FLT licences and relevant accreditations before anyone is placed.
Can you cover night shifts and weekends?
Yes. Night-shift and weekend cover is a core part of what we do, particularly for warehouses on the Purley Way and Beddington Lane. More on our night-shift staffing page.
Do you supply teaching assistants in Croydon?
We supply SEND teaching assistants, learning support assistants and 1:1 support staff to mainstream and special schools. Everyone holds an enhanced DBS for work with children.
Can temporary staff become permanent?
Often, yes. Many assignments turn into permanent jobs. Any transfer is subject to the terms agreed with the client before the booking starts.
Which areas around Croydon do you cover?
All of the London Borough of Croydon, including the town centre, Thornton Heath, Norbury, South Norwood, Purley, Coulsdon, Selsdon and New Addington, plus Sutton, Bromley, Merton and north Surrey towns such as Redhill and Reigate.
Are you an IT recruitment agency in Croydon?
Not in the software or helpdesk sense. Our technical work is hands-on: cable containment, copper and fibre cabling and commissioning support for data centre fit-outs.
Do you recruit for Croydon University Hospital or the Home Office?
No. NHS clinical roles are advertised on NHS Jobs and civil service roles on Civil Service Jobs. We place admin and back-office staff with private employers in Croydon.
What information do you need to book staff?
Job title, number of people, site address, dates and hours, pay rate, duties, any required tickets or registrations, PPE or dress code, parking or transport details, and how long the work will run. Or just book online and we'll ring you.
Do you only work in Croydon?
No. Croydon is our South London base. We also run warehouse and logistics cover from our Northampton office and support selected requirements nationwide.
Our Croydon Office
Osac Placement, Croydon
- Address
- 133 St James's Road
Croydon
CR0 2UW - Phone
- 020 8629 5308
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Getting here
- Short walk from West Croydon station and tram stop