As an agency worker, even if you're on a long-term placement with a company, there's no obligation on that company to offer you a job directly employed by them.
While it might make better HR sense for them to offer you a permanent job, many employers would actively choose temps over employees. This is for a number of reasons, such as trying to avoid some employer responsibilities for employment rights - or trying to avoid paying your agency a "temp to perm" fee (compensation for losing you to the company).
However, since 1 October 2011 agency workers have the right to be informed about vacancies with the hirer while on assignment with them. The aim is to give you the same opportunity as a comparable worker to find a permanent job with the hirer.
A comparable worker is someone who is employed by the hirer to do the same or similar work as you in the same workplace and who has a similar level of skills and qualifications. You cannot compare your treatment with that of a former employee.
The hirer can choose how to inform staff about the vacancies. This may be through e-mail, internet / intranet or through a company newsletter or displaying details on a notice board. But you should have the same access to this source of information as the hirer’s employees.
You should be allowed to apply for relevant vacancies. The only exception will be in a redundancy situation where an employer ring-fences posts for redeployment opportunities for staff at risk of redundancy. Hirers can still require certain qualifications, skills or experience when advertising posts.
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