You register via the website. We run a manual verification to confirm your authority to act on behalf of your local authority (completed within 24 hours). The person who registers becomes the Account Administrator. You can then add and manage sub-users in your teams.
No. PLACENTRAL™ is an open-access website, so no software installation or integration needed.
Your Account Administrator controls all sub-users. They can add/remove sub-users, activate/deactivate accounts, and assign access levels (Adults / Children / All placement types)
Unlimited sub-users.
No. They see only the referrals and placement types they’re authorised for by the Account Administrator (adults, children, or all). Dashboard data reflects these access levels.
The Framework Manager function is designed to enable collaboration across multiple local authorities and care providers within a framework. However, outside of the framework module, each local authority is responsible for managing its own account. We don’t recommend giving users from another local authority access to your account, as this can create data protection and accountability issues, and also affect your metrics on your dashboard.
You use the site’s advanced filters to instantly see real-time availability that matches your search requirements.
Providers must refresh their listings every 3 days or they’re removed from search results. Bookings made through the website automatically reduce their available spaces.
Yes, providers can see referrals local authorities choose to publish. This ensures fair competition.
Yes - securely via the platform’s encrypted chat, avoiding email overload for placements teams.
We recommend using the secure chat for GDPR data protection and retention compliance (all conversations are auto-deleted at the point of booking a placement to protect individuals' data).
Through the secure, encrypted chat. Once booked, all chat history for that referral is permanently deleted. You can download the chat as a PDF for your records before deletion. Or you can choose to email them as you do now once you’ve identified an available placement on the website.
No. Each conversation with a provider is linked to the specific referral it relates to and is only visible to the user who started the chat. This ensures sensitive or commercially confidential discussions stay private and avoids cluttering other users’ dashboards with unrelated conversations, keeping the system clear and focused for each team member’s own caseload.
PLACENTRAL™ minimises duplication. Adding a referral involves filling out only key placement requirements (e.g. type of placement, age, risks/needs) rather than duplicating case notes or sensitive data. Faster than manually emailing providers, it ensures all required information is clearly structured for them to respond efficiently. This streamlines the process, maintains GDPR compliance, improves matching and reduces the back-and-forth often required with unstructured email requests.
Yes. You can specify the number of spaces required in a placement, making it easier to place sibling groups together or closer to each other to maintain contact more easily.
Yes. Providers can list upcoming availability with “available from” info, supporting permanence planning.
You mark it as ended (for today’s date or any future date). The provider then chooses whether to relist it, with the new future availability date shown in search results.
Yes. As per our Terms of Service, if you source through the website, you must book via the website. This is the only to ensure all personal data shared is securely deleted from all chats once a placement is booked and this is required for GDPR compliance.
You can use it for both. PLACENTRAL™ can be used as a framework portal if you have a framework but still use email to source framework placements.
You must provide their Companies House number, which auto-verifies your details for you.
Every time a provider adds a new listing, they must manually enter the regulatory details for the placement vacancy they are advertising. This ensures they always provide the most up-to-date information.
Providers fill out a section including Ofsted or CQC registration details and ratings.
The system shows the provider’s URN so you can easily look up their latest reports.
This feature is currently limited to aggregate counts by city without identifying which specific councils have placements in a given area, respecting data-sharing restrictions.
Yes. Every login requires a security code sent to the registered email address.
We don’t retain any personal data about the individuals for whom you’re seeking placements. Referral information in chats is automatically permanently deleted from all chats when a placement is booked, or the referral is closed. Your user account data (name/email) is anonymised on account deletion. Relevant usage stats remain for system reporting and dashboards.
Yes. Your dashboard shows real-time data that can be downloaded as PDF or CSV files.
For adult placements, you can source care homes, nursing homes, domiciliary care, emergency housing for homeless families, rehabilitation and supported living. For children's placements, you can source domiciliary care, fostering, residential and boarding, (incl. parenting assessments) residential children’s homes, short breaks, supported accommodation and specialist schools (SEND / therapeutic / disability).
You simply sign up on the website and provide your Companies House number. This is automatically verified, ensuring only genuine organisations can register. Once registered, you can start adding your placements immediately.
No. You can advertise unlimited vacancies on PLACENTRAL™ completely free of charge. A small, one-off booking fee is only applied when a placement is secured through the platform.
Yes. Care providers who expect higher volumes of placements can opt for an annual licence, which allows unlimited placements for a fixed annual fee.
No. You only ever pay the per-placement booking fee or the annual licence fee. Listing your vacancies is always free.
Yes. If your service supports privately funded clients, you can still upload your vacancies. These listings are advertised to the public on our website so families and individuals can contact you directly. This operates on a fixed monthly pay-as-you-go fee, giving you continuous visibility to self-funding clients without any booking charges. You only pay for the months you want to advertise.
Referrals and enquiries come directly to you through PLACENTRAL™ secure, encrypted chat. If you’re offline, you’ll receive a text alert so you never miss an opportunity.
PLACENTRAL™ is UK-hosted on AWS servers, fully GDPR-compliant, and penetration tested by accredited cybersecurity specialists. Sensitive referral data is only shared with providers who have confirmed availability and then all data is automatically permanently deleted from all chats when the placement is booked.
No. Every care provider must create and use their own account. This is essential for compliance, legal, operational, and financial accountability. Shared accounts are not permitted, as each provider is responsible for their own listings, contracts, and regulatory information.
The platform connects you with commissioners nationwide, helping you secure placements faster and widen your reach beyond your existing local authority relationships.
Yes. You can view property listings from landlords who want to partner with care providers. Many are suitable for care use, and may come with licensing or planning already in place.
Yes. You can connect with trusted recruitment agencies directly on the platform, helping you quickly fill urgent gaps or plan for permanent hires.
Simply sign up on the website, provide your company details, and you can begin receiving staffing requests directly from care providers.
Your profile is not visible to care providers. When you respond to their request with a quote, they will see your company name and they will DM you.
Agencies pay a monthly subscription fee or can choose an annual licence for unlimited access to staffing requests. This removes per-request costs and keeps pricing predictable.
Requests can include support workers, care assistants, nurses, specialist staff, and managers — across both children’s and adults’ services. Or any other role that care providers need help with!
Providers expect agencies to demonstrate compliance (e.g., DBS checks, right-to-work, training certification). PLACENTRAL™ allows you to share these securely, giving providers confidence in your staff.
Yes. Even if you already work with certain providers, PLACENTRAL™ widens your reach by giving you access to new providers nationwide — without cold outreach or ring-rounds.
Registration is simple. Create an account, and you can start listing your properties directly to care providers and local authorities.
Your property will be visible to registered care providers and to local authorities looking for emergency accommodation for homeless families. You will need to register as a care provider if you want to provide emergency accommodation to homeless families.
Yes. Landlords and investors pay a small one-off fee per property listing. Your listing has no expiry date — it stays live until it’s filled. If you are providing emergency housing to local authorities for homeless families, you can either pay per booking or purchase an annual licence. You will need to register as a care provider.
Care providers typically look for multi-year lease agreements to deliver regulated services. Local authorities may also seek short-term agreements for emergency housing.
Care providers delivering essential services are backed by local authority funding and regulated by CQC or Ofsted, meaning rent payments are more consistent and reliable as their financial management is scrutinised and they are expected to maintain tenancies in a way that provides individuals in care with stability. This reduces financial risk and provides stable returns.
Some care services require properties with specific licences or planning consent. Providers can see your property details on PLACENTRAL™ and contact you directly to confirm requirements.
Yes. As long as the landlord grants access to their account, trusted agents can upload and manage property listings on their behalf.