Temporary Accommodation Placement Officer

Bedford Borough Council; Bedford; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedford Borough Council is seeking a motivated Placement Officer to support households experiencing homelessness, secure suitable temporary accommodation and ensure placements meet needs and risk assessments.

The role requires strong organisational and communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment; experience in housing/homelessness or Housing Benefit administration is desirable.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of housing/homelessness services and procedures.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation abilities.
• Excellent communication with residents, colleagues and partners.

Responsibilities

• Arrange and secure suitable temporary accommodation for eligible households.
• Ensure placements meet individual needs and risk assessments.
• Collaborate with accommodation providers, landlords and council services to deliver an efficient service.

Skills

Housing/homelessness knowledge

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Job description

We are seeking a motivated and customer-focused Placement Officer to join our Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting households experiencing homelessness and helping the Council meet its duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act.

As a Placement Officer, you will secure suitable temporary accommodation for eligible households, ensuring placements meet individual needs, property specifications and risk assessments. You will work closely with accommodation providers, landlords and colleagues to deliver a responsive, efficient and cost-effective service.

The successful candidate will have strong organisational and communication skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Experience in housing, homelessness, temporary accommodation or Housing Benefit administration is desirable.

If you are committed to delivering excellent customer service, achieving positive outcomes for residents and making a real difference to households facing housing difficulties, we would love to hear from you.

Closing Date: 12th October 2026

Interview Date: 22nd October 2026

Please Note

The Council will not normally re-employ ex-employees in receipt of:

• a severance payment (within 12 months of leaving)
• a local government pension (applies to Senior Officers only) unless the appointment is business critical

For further information, please email [e-mail]

Guaranteed interview schemes

Bedford Borough Council is proud to be a member of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Care Leavers Covenant, we pledge to interview any eligible job applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job they are applying for. Bedford Borough Council is also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer and guarantees to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role they are applying for.

Visa Sponsorship

Bedford Borough Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Enhanced DBS Post

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If your application is successful you will be required to declare any spent and unspent convictions, adult cautions (simple or conditional) that are not "protected" as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).