Chesterfield-based care provider Heathcotes Group has appointed Hocine Benhafsi (pictured) as head of recruitment to support the company’s nationwide expansion, overseeing recruitment for more than 62 specialist services for adults with learning disabilities, mental illness and associated challenging behaviours.

Benhafsi has more than five years’ experience of agency and internal recruitment within health and social care. He previously spent two years as talent acquisition business partner at Turning Point, a social enterprise providing health and social care services for people with complex needs in 200 locations across England and Wales.

Hocine said: “I’m very excited to have joined Heathcotes Group, a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation with a strong belief in investing in people through training and qualifications. Ninety per cent of the senior management started out as care support workers, so they appreciate the value of nurturing skills and helping staff to realise their potential with genuine career progression. Heathcotes’ person-centred care is focused on enabling people to achieve a transition from a residential care setting to a more independent life. The work can be life-changing for our service users and helping to make this happen brings enormous job satisfaction – this is a key message that I will be seeking to emphasise to attract candidates.”

Heathcotes Southern managing director Mikkel Togsverd added: “Hocine is an excellent fit for Heathcotes as we continue a recruitment drive which is vital for our growth plans. He has particular expertise in recruiting managers, nurses, support workers and care assistants for supported living and mental health-specific services, so he will play a key role in identifying and attracting talented and caring people to work at services in each region.”