The tool, launched this week by Damian Hinds, show the fees recruitment agencies charge on top of staff wages, so school leaders will know the exact cost to them. The online tool will also help schools avoid agencies that charge fees for making temporary staff permanent.

The new service allows schools to:

• find a list of local agencies that can provide them with the supply teacher or other agency worker needed
• find a managed service provider to manage all their agency worker needs 
• check the rates agencies charge
• find out how much the charge would be to make an agency worker permanent.

To appear on the list of approved agencies available through the tool, agencies must set out their costs up-front – enabling schools to compare prices – and conduct background checks on their staff.

• Comment below on this story. You can also tweet us to tell us your thoughts or share this story with a friend. Our editorial email is [email protected]