Temping - which agency?

[sixp]

I'm thinking of temping when my DD starts school in September, as I'd like to get back in to doing some work but want to be able to still drop her and collect her from school. She will be in from 9am till 3pm every day. Does anyone have any experience of using temp agencies in Edinburgh? Which ones are good? I have a university MA and some professional qualifications, but don't want a career anymore that I have to 'take home'.
All advice appreciated, thank you.

I think Edin Uni and Edin Council have temps supplied by Blue Arrow, I've got no experience of it myself but I know the temps I've come across at work are very satisfied with them, and they got my sister some work on quite short notice.

Thanks BeeMyBaby. I'll look them up.

Also office Angels are ok, but weren't able to get me particularly long jobs and it wasn't generally that 'officey' - once I had to move files for two days from one office to another, and another time I had to hand out leaflets at the top of the mound...hmm... Pertemps are good and can give good jobs as I think they still supply the government but it takes around a month to get disclosure and due to temp employment laws they generally only give you posts for up to a year.

Blue Arrow are based in Luton for the council. Depends on what area you want to work in but even checking out myjob scotland has council vacancies which can be flexible if they aren't internal.

Thanks everyone, much appreciated.

Have a look on s1jobs - a lot of agencies list jobs on there, plus scotsman jobs. You can then work back to which agency do the sort of jobs you want to do. My experience of agencies is that it very much depends on the person you get assigned to you as to how responsive they are. It is probably worth signing on at a number and chasing them regularly. Just applying for jobs via internet adverts generally doesn't result in any response at all which is very depressing. However if you phone up the given contact person for the role then at least you have a head start as they are more likely to remember you and can give you a direct email address to apply to. In my experience the best way to get a role is through canvassing all your contacts for leads as then you aren't competing against anyone and can be recommended by someone who knows you. Good luck with your job hunt!