SafeRec: Improving Efficiency and Reducing Risk

Improving Efficiency and Reducing Risk: Modernising Umbrella Compliance in Recruitment 

For many recruitment firms, managing compliance across their umbrella company supply chain remains a resource-heavy challenge. From collecting documentation and issuing KIDs, to ensuring tax integrity and conducting due diligence, the admin burden can be significant—especially when processes are spread across inboxes, spreadsheets, and manual checks. 

And with increasing regulatory scrutiny and the prospect of joint liability, the stakes are only getting higher. 

Yet most agencies aren’t equipped with the legal or forensic expertise needed to confidently verify what’s happening under the bonnet of every umbrella they work with. 

This is where modern, technology-led approaches are starting to make a meaningful difference. 

SafeRec: A Practical Framework to Streamline Compliance and Reduce Admin 

SafeRec works with recruitment agencies to bring structure, clarity, and assurance to umbrella company management—replacing manual checks with automated oversight, and providing members with independent, legally backed assurance. 

Here are some of the key features APSCo members are leveraging to drive efficiency and compliance confidence: 

✔️ Centralised Oversight of any Umbrella Documentation 

Agencies can collect, track, and manage all relevant documents from their umbrella partners in one place—reducing inbox clutter, missed updates, and duplicated effort. 

✔️ Real-Time Payslip Auditing (For SafeRec Certified Umbrellas) 

Every payslip issued by a SafeRec-certified umbrella is audited in real time and cross-referenced with the umbrella’s RTI (Real Time Information) submission to HMRC. This provides continuous assurance that deductions are accurate and declared earnings match what’s reported. 

✔️ Monthly Verification of Tax Payments 

SafeRec verifies each month that the umbrella has not only declared its tax liabilities, but paid them—using data from their live HMRC tax account. This ensures APSCo members aren’t left relying on outdated or incomplete evidence. 

✔️ Legally Backed Due Diligence 

All certified umbrellas undergo a full compliance review by WTT Legal, a regulated law firm. The result is a downloadable 30–50 page report covering tax models, contracts, expenses, and more—available to agencies at no extra cost. 

✔️ Instant Key Information Document (KID) Generation 

The platform enables agencies to create compliant KIDs and send them directly to workers and umbrellas in just a few clicks—saving time and reducing the risk of manual errors. 

Free Support for APSCo Members 

Beyond the technology, SafeRec provides free, ongoing support to all APSCo members on matters relating to umbrella companies. 

Whether it's advice on a contractor’s payslip, help reviewing an umbrella agreement, or support with an urgent compliance concern, SafeRec is available to step in. Over the past year, SafeRec has helped numerous APSCo members resolve time-sensitive issues, investigate suspected non-compliance, and protect their supply chains from unnecessary risk. 

Enabling Growth Through Clarity and Confidence 

Modern umbrella compliance doesn’t have to add complexity. With the right tools and support, it becomes a source of clarity and control—reducing admin, safeguarding relationships, and freeing up internal teams to focus on growth. 

APSCo members working with SafeRec benefit from scalable processes, real-time data, and independent legal assurance—all designed to make compliance simpler, smarter, and more robust.