This site looks at agencies in two ways: the practical issues of dealing with an employment agency, and the legal issues. This page relates to the Employment Agencies Act 1973. Also see Conduct of Employment Agencies

Employment agencies must comply with the minimum standards of conduct set by the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and regulations.

If you are a worker:

An agency must not charge for finding or trying to find you work (with some exceptions, mainly in entertainment and modelling)
An agency employing you to do temporary work must give you written terms, and must pay you, even if it has not been paid
An agency which collects your pay from an employer must pass it to you within ten days, unless you request otherwise
If you are a hirer:

An agency should check workers have any qualifications required by law
An agency should obtain enough information to show a worker is suitable for the job
Other standards include:

Advertisements placed by an agency must state that fact
Requirements about what must and must not be included in written terms
Under the Act, persons running an employment agency can be banned from doing so for up to ten years, for misconduct or other reasons. An agency breaking the law can also be fined up to £5,000.

The Employment Agencies Act is there to protect all users of employment agencies – workers, employers and hirers