Health and social care recruiter Pulse has acquired London-based Project ASC Nursing and Care Services, a specialist social-care staffing agency.

The acquisition grows the scale of Pulse’s existing social-care business by 25%, according to chief executive Richard MacMillan. Recent branch openings in Ilford, Leeds, Manchester and London had already boosted its social care operation by 30%, “enabling Pulse to deliver sustained organic growth alongside this acquisition,” MacMillan said. “We look forward to working with the talented team at Project ASC to continue our growth in this important market.”

The acquisition fits within Pulse’s strategy to increase the size of its operation within social care. The aim is to supply temporary and permanent workers and recruitment services to local authorities, housing trusts, charities and voluntary organisations. The sector is estimated to be worth more than £2bn a year.

Neither the acquisition’s price nor the terms of the deal were available at press time.

Founded in 1984, Project ASC will move its operations function to Pulse’s London office. The business will operate under the Project ASC brand until early 2007. Project ASC chairman John Halloran says the partnership will bring “tangible benefits” to both parties’ clients and candidates.