Shared Lives

Shared Lives Carers open their homes to adults who need support to maintain their health, wellbeing and independence. They provide care and support in a family environment, allowing the cared for person to enjoy shared activities and life experiences. The person being cared for shares in the family life of the Carer, including their wider network of family and friends in the community. Carers provide company and meaningful activities in a comfortable and safe environment. The aim is to promote independence and choice and to improve the health and well-being of the person being cared for enabling them to live an ordinary life in the community.

Applications are welcome from all sections of the community. Previous experience or qualifications are not essential as full training will be given.
 

Carers are self-employed and are paid according to hours worked and the number of people being cared for. Generous tax allowances mean that daytime Carers don’t pay income tax on their earnings. Long term placement Carers are paid a weekly fee the bandings of which are assessed by a Social Worker; there are four bandings.

Day time Carers can choose what days they want to work. A standard day covers six hours from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Respite/short breaks can be from one night up to two weeks. Long term placement carers provide support to the individual on a live-in basis.

Carers are allocated a Shared Lives Worker who arranges regular support visits. Service meetings are held every six weeks. These provide ongoing training and an opportunity to meet and exchange information with colleagues.

If you are interested and would like to apply, a Shared Lives Worker will make a pre-application visit to your home. This is an opportunity to learn more about the service and answer any questions you may have. If you are still interested after this first visit, you will be asked to fill in an application form.

As part of your application, we will need your permission to contact your current or last employer for a reference. You will also be asked to supply the name of someone who will provide a personal reference for you.

There are a number of checks that need to be carried out as part of the assessment process, including a criminal records check because, if you are successful in your application, you will be working with vulnerable people. The Shared Lives Worker will tell you more about the checks required.

The assessment process is comprehensive and will explore why you want to become a Shared Lives Carer, in addition to your experience, skills and knowledge. This takes place over a period of time, usually between three to six months and is achieved by a number of visits to your home.

At the end of the assessment process, the Shared Lives Worker and Manager will write their reports about your application. These will be shared with you, and you will be asked to sign them before they are presented to the independent Shared Lives Approval Panel for their decision.

You will be informed of the Panel’s decision and if you are approved you will be provided with a certificate and a copy of the Carer Handbook. You are then ready to accept your first placement.

If the panel does not approve your application and you do not agree with their decision, you have the right to appeal. However, we would like to stress that this is very rare as we would highlight any issues we feel may hinder your application early in the assessment process before we present it to panel.