Specialist Recruitment for Health & Care Across the UK and US

1k+ reviews (4.8 of 5)

Solving Care Providers’ Recruitment Challenges Before They Become Operational Problems..

For over 17 years, Stephen James Consulting has been partnering exclusively with care providers across the UK and US. We don’t generalise. We specialise. We deliver high-quality permanent, interim and retained recruitment solutions across elderly care, nursing care, assisted living, memory care. From Home Manager, Executive Director, Community Executive Director, through to Regional Director, Operations Director, Board & VP leadership roles.

That’s why every assignment is managed by consultants who understand the realities of care regulation from CQC standards in the UK to state licensing and CMS requirements in the US — leadership in care, and the operational challenges providers face every day.

Young blond woman in casualwear looking at her disable friend in wheelchair

Why Stephen James Consulting?

Recruitment isn’t simply about filling vacancies.
It’s about finding leaders who strengthen teams, improve quality, protect compliance and make a lasting difference to the people receiving care.
That’s why every assignment is managed by consultants who understand the realities of regulation, and leadership in care, and the operational challenges providers face every day.
We don’t rely on algorithms or keyword matching.
We identify people with the experience, values and leadership capability to make a genuine impact.

Our core Values

Integrity

We build long-term partnerships through transparency, professionalism and doing exactly what we say we’ll do.

Passion

Health and social care isn’t simply the sector we recruit into—it’s the sector we’re passionate about supporting.

Specialism

We work exclusively within health and social care, giving our clients access to genuine market expertise and specialist recruitment advice.

Honesty

No unrealistic promises. No inflated expectations. Just straightforward advice based on experience, market knowledge and what’s genuinely achievable.

For Providers

Finding exceptional leaders has never been more challenging.
With more than 17 years’ specialist recruitment experience, we understand the pressures facing care providers today—from regulatory compliance and occupancy to workforce shortages, succession planning and staff retention.
That’s why we do far more than send CVs.

Our clients trust us

to recruit:

We take the time to understand your organisation, your culture and your long-term objectives before introducing leaders who are capable of making a measurable difference.

  • Registered Home Managers / Nursing Home Administrators (NHA)
  • Community Executive Director
  • Executive Directors
  • Regional Support Managers
  • Regional Directors
  • Operations Directors
  • Executive Leaders

Working with Stephen James Consulting means:

Whether you require a permanent appointment, an interim leader or retained search, we’ll provide a recruitment solution tailored to your organisation.

  • Saving valuable management time.
  • Reducing recruitment risk.
  • Accessing a wide network of proven care leaders.
  • Receiving honest market advice.
  • Protecting service quality and continuity.
  • Recruiting leaders who strengthen your organisation—not simply fill a vacancy.
  • Access to exclusive leadership opportunities.

For Candidates

Exceptional leaders deserve exceptional representation. We believe recruitment should be personal.
That’s why we take the time to understand not only your experience, but your leadership style, career ambitions and the difference you’ve made throughout your career.
We ensure our clients see the complete picture—not simply your CV.

Our Candidate Support

Includes:

Whether you’re looking for your next Registered Manager position or an Executive leadership opportunity, we’re here to support you throughout the process.

  • Interview preparation and strategy.
  • Career planning and long-term guidance.
  • Positioning and personal branding.
  • Honest market insight and salary advice.
  • Constructive interview feedback.

Our goal is simple:
To help exceptional leaders find organisations where they can thrive, make a difference and build long-term careers.

Recruitment Built on Caring Relationships

Technology can support recruitment.
Experience, judgement and relationships deliver outstanding recruitment.
For over 17 years, Stephen James Consulting has been helping care providers recruit the leaders who shape services, inspire teams and improve outcomes.

We don’t just fill vacancies! We solve the problem before they become operational problems.

The experience to place exceptional leaders

Duncan McPhee, Managing Director

Duncan McPhee has spent the past 17 years leading a team working exclusively with elderly care providers across the UK, building relationships that go far beyond the transactional. His belief from the outset has been that recruitment done properly should do more than fill a vacancy. It should connect exceptional people with organisations where they can genuinely make a difference.
That commitment to the sector runs deeper than professional experience. Duncan founded Nottinghamshire Care, giving him and his team a firsthand understanding of the pressures care providers face every day, from CQC compliance and staff retention to occupancy challenges and the relentless drive to deliver outstanding care. It’s a perspective that shapes how Stephen James Consulting approaches every placement.
The result is a way of working built on trust, specialist knowledge, and a long-term view. Duncan leads a team focused on identifying high-calibre leadership and management talent for providers who are serious about quality improvement, and serious about the people in their care.

Let’s Start the Conversation

Whether you’re hiring or exploring your next move, we’re ready to help.
Get in touch for a confidential discussion.

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