MSTAR framework for Local Authorities

Manpower is an approved provider in all six of the ‘lots’ in the MSTAR framework, which cover the spectrum of recruitment needs for local authorities. The framework allows local authorities to save money when agreeing new temporary worker contracts by opting into a national arrangement, which allows back office efficiencies and the harnessing of recruitment best practice. It is the first national temporary worker recruitment framework of its kind, sparing local authorities the time and cost of individually negotiating and agreeing contracts with recruitment companies.

The MSTAR framework was commissioned by the Local Government Professional Services Group with support from the Efficiency Reform Group and the Department for Education, and was coordinated by the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO).

Why MSTAR?
There are many reasons why the MSTAR framework is a compelling option for local authorities:

• The ESPO team who run the MSTAR framework, have conducted a lengthy and in-depth tender exercise to identify the best qualified managed service providers on the market and ensure that the process has complied with all current EU regulations 
• They have appointed an array of both Master (Resource Pool) and Neutral (supply chain) Vendors, giving individual local authorities the option to select the solution that best meets their needs 
• Recognising the array of potential local authorities across the UK, they have not overly specified the service delivery model, allowing a significant opportunity for service to be customised to the specific needs of individual clients
• The marketplace has responded with aggregated pricing, in anticipation of significant volumes of business being channelled through the framework
• Selecting pre-approved suppliers from the MSTAR framework is likely to involve 20-25% of the time and cost associated with running a bespoke tender exercise
• There may be the opportunity to collaborate with neighbours, to secure an arrangement that through it’s scale would be expected to secure considerable supplier commitment to delivery and ongoing innovation. 

Overview of Manpower’s Service Delivery Model
Manpower has been appointed to all 6 lots of the framework, and offers differentiated solutions for both Supply Chain Management and Resource Pool Management Services.

Our delivery structure has been designed to blend our Global Leadership in supply chain management activity (£300m UK and $3billion worldwide revenues), with our experience delivering recruitment services for Local Government, which dates back to 1999. This model has been tried and tested in the UK marketplace, and is currently in operation for multiple local authorities as well as some of the world’s leading private sector companies.

Our approach segments the primary activities, in order to ensure that experts meet the unique challenges presented in each area.

We envisage four core delivery areas, linked by Manpower’s online order management tool, CMS:

Contract Governance: Ensures that the service is consistent and draws on best practice from across all similar customer contracts.

Local Account Management: Aligns our service to the specific needs and demands of individual customers, both at a corporate and departmental level.

Order Management: To support supplier engagement and transparency, order management will be delivered through our shared service centre. For Supply Chain Management clients, this will be supported by our Tapfin brand, to ensure high levels of neutrality and supplier engagement.

Supply Chain Recruiters: We work with over 400 pre-approved, audited recruiters, and would welcome the opportunity to work with you to construct a supply chain solution that best meets your local skill challenges.

These core areas, illustrated below, are supported by IT Support, Billing and MI, Supplier Management, Compliance and Transition experts, who will be aligned to our MSTAR customers. 

Why Manpower?

• We have been providing these services to the public sector for longer than any other supply chain management organisation - implementing such a solution to Local Government, back in 1999, with Hertfordshire County Council
• Our operating model is segmented into four key areas, ensuring that you work with experts, whatever your requirement 
• We are one of only 2 providers appointed to all 6 lots, meaning we can dispassionately advise you on the best model for your needs, rather than ours! 
• We were the only bidder to be ranked in the top 2 places when considering quality and cost combined for all 6 lots 
• We have a significant Project Management Team, run separately to delivery, allowing our service teams to focus on delivery issues, whilst implementing solutions swiftly and in a well managed fashion 
• We have the additional benefit of the market-leading Tapfin brand supporting delivery to promote neutrality and supplier engagement  
• We have over 400 tiered agencies, pre-audited and ready to recruit the full spectrum of staff required by Local Government 
• We have a unique employment model that ensures all Manpower temporary staff are fully employed, protecting you from the ever increasing array of employment liabilities associated with temporary staffing 
• Manpower has experience delivering 1st, and 2nd generation solutions, recognising that each present a different array of challenges 
• We provide services to County, District and Unitary Authorities, often under collaborative arrangements 
• We have proposed competitive pricing, which will initially save you money, and is constructed to incentivise us to identify and realise additional savings over time 
• Our online ordering platform, supported by our shared service centre in Uxbridge, was built for the Local Authority marketplace, and includes rostering functionality to support complex and regularly changing shift arrangements in Social Services 
• A CQC approved safeguarding system, offering validation of individuals who work within the care industry and regular, robust audit arrangements
• We are a financially stable organisation, with over $16bn global revenues and a consistently strong financial performance in the UK, even in the face of the recent recession.

Contact Manpower
If you would like to arrange a meeting with one of our many experts to understand how we can project manage a smooth transition process to our market-leading service, please contact us on:

T: 01895 205244
E: MSTAR@manpower.co.uk