OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST in Cardiff

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.

As the Occupational Therapist within the Specialist Accommodation Gateway, you will provide specialist functional, environmental and clinical advice to support fair, lawful and needs‑led accommodation decisions for people with complex health, mobility and care needs. You will play a key role in Step‑Up and Step‑Down pathways, assessing individuals and their home environments to determine whether they can safely return home with adaptations, or whether alternative accommodation should be considered. Your professional judgement will directly inform discharge planning, crisis prevention and longer‑term housing outcomes.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to Specialist Accommodation Gateway Panel meetings, providing expert advice on the suitability of accommodation options in relation to mobility, accessibility, equipment and functional need. Your input will help ensure that accommodation decisions promote independence, reduce risk and support wellbeing. You will work closely with Gateway colleagues, social care and health partners to ensure assessments, recommendations and decisions are clearly recorded and aligned across systems. You will also support the ongoing development of Gateway processes, sharing professional expertise to help strengthen pathways and improve outcomes for clients. This is a rewarding role for an Occupational Therapist who enjoys working collaboratively, applying professional judgement in complex situations, and seeing the direct impact of their work on people’s ability to live safely and independently.

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 and an understanding of how to assess need holistically and match people to appropriate accommodation and support.
• Strong partnership working skills and 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.
• You must hold a full driving licence and have the use of a car for work purposes.

This is a permanent position for 37 hours per week. With effect from the 1st April 2021 this post attracts a market supplement of £3000 per annum full time equivalent. This payment is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis. This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced check. This vacancy is suitable for post share. 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. If you have any concerns about your ability to take part in a virtual interview process or would like to have an informal chat about this role please contact Stephanie Rogers-Lewis, Accommodation & Support Manager on stephanie.rogers-lewis@cardiff.gov.uk. We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications. We understand you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, original and does not include ideas or work that is not your own.