The Specialist Accommodation Gateway is an exciting and growing part of Cardiff’s housing and social care pathway. It brings together a wide range of accommodation solutions into one coordinated, person‑centred access point, ensuring clients receive the right home, at the right time, with the right level of support.
The Gateway manages allocations across Managed Accommodation, Community Living and Extra Care schemes, Step Up and Step Down pathways, and short‑term Respite options. It plays a vital role in supporting hospital discharge, preventing unnecessary admissions, promoting independence, and enabling access to long‑term housing that meets assessed need.
This is an ambitious, fast‑developing service that works closely with Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Scheme Managers, health partners and wider housing teams to deliver better outcomes for people with complex needs. The Gateway is central to transforming how Cardiff delivers fair, consistent and transparent accommodation decisions.
About the job
As a Gateway Placement Officer, you will play a key operational role within the Specialist Accommodation Gateway, supporting the day‑to‑day delivery of the service and helping ensure people are placed into the most appropriate accommodation in a timely and consistent way.
You will manage referrals into the Gateway across a range of pathways, including Community Living, Extra Care, Sheltered Accommodation, Step Up, Step Down and Respite. This will involve gathering and reviewing information, liaising with referrers and partners, and ensuring cases are prepared accurately for consideration through the Gateway process.
You will work closely with the Gateway Placement Manager and other colleagues to support Specialist Accommodation Gateway Panel meetings, ensuring decisions are recorded accurately and followed through. You will be responsible for progressing agreed outcomes, coordinating offers, and working with Scheme Managers, Social Workers and health colleagues to support smooth placements and transitions.
A key part of the role is maintaining accurate and up‑to‑date records across Gateway systems and the housing waiting list, ensuring that information is consistent, transparent and auditable. You will also support clients directly where needed, including assisting with housing applications and helping them understand the process and next steps.
This is a varied and rewarding role for someone who enjoys working at pace, managing multiple priorities, and being part of a service that makes a real difference to people’s independence, safety and wellbeing.
What We Are Looking For From You
We are looking for motivated, compassionate and solution‑focused individuals who are passionate about helping people achieve independence and stability. You will thrive in a role where every day is different and where teamwork, clear communication and sound judgement are essential.
You will bring:
A commitment to person‑centred practice
Strong partnership working skills
The ability to work effectively with colleagues across housing, social care and health to support joined‑up decision making.
Confidence in making sound, timely decisions
You will be comfortable evaluating information, managing complexity and making recommendations in time‑critical situations.
A positive, proactive approach to change
The Gateway is continually evolving, and you will contribute ideas and support ongoing development and improvement.
Excellent organisational skills
Accuracy, consistency and attention to detail are essential to ensure fair allocations and smooth transitions.
A genuine desire to make a difference
You will care about people — particularly those who may be vulnerable or in transition — and be motivated by improving outcomes and quality of life.
The ability to speak other languages, in particular Welsh, and Community Languages would be an advantage.
Additional information
This post is temporary until 31st of March 2027.
Internal candidates who wish to apply for this position on a secondment basis must obtain approval prior to application using Form SEC1 (4.C.081). Requests may only be approved by the relevant Director/ Assistant Director/ Chief Officer or senior nominated officer graded no lower than OM2 or in the case of schools based staff the Headteacher / Governing Body.
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Standard check.
This vacancy is suitable for post share.
We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications.
The interview process for this role will be conducted face to face or otherwise on a virtual basis using an appropriate online platform. The hiring manager will advise on the format of the interview as part of the recruitment process.
Job Category Housing
Department Housing & Communities
Working Pattern/Contract Type Full Time Temporary
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PLACEMENT OFFICER in Cardiff employer: Cardiff Council
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