Shared Lives Carer

About Shared Lives

Shared Lives is sometimes described as being similar to providing ‘foster care for adults with additional/complex needs’, but it is so much more than that as we enable people to take control of their lives and make informed choices to maximise independence.

There are approximately 9,500 adults being supported by around 10,000 Carers in Shared Lives households across England.

Shared Lives is beneficial for everyone. As well as consistently achieving greater outcomes for adults with additional needs, Shared Lives also has the lowest number of safeguarding enquiries in comparison to all other forms of Adult Social Care.

We support anybody from the age of 18 and will undertake preparatory work with young adults who are making the transition from Children’s Services.

Whilst Shared Lives is traditionally a service for people with learning disabilities, we have experience of setting up Arrangements for people with mental ill health, early-onset dementia, hospital discharges, older people, physical disabilities, people on the Autistic Spectrum and other complex support needs.

Purpose

Do you have a room in your home and room in your heart? Could you share your home with someone who needs your support?

Shared Lives Carers open up their home and support adults with additional/complex needs on either a Live-In, Short-Break or Day Support basis. Shared Lives is sometimes described as a bit like ‘foster care for adults’ but it’s so much more than that. The Carer encourages the person to not only become part of the family and provide a sense of belonging, but also to create a life of new opportunities, of which the person would otherwise have limited chances to experience. The aim of the Shared Lives Carer is to always support the person to develop the practical, social and emotional skills to make their own choices in life and be as independent as possible, whilst remaining at the heart of the community, just like you and me.

If the following appeals, we’d love to hear from you:

• You will support the person who comes to live or stay with you to develop the practical, social and emotional skills to make their own choices in life and be as independent as possible, whilst remaining at the heart of the community, just like you and me.
• If you are currently looking for a change of direction/career change or are already working as a support worker/care assistant in domiciliary or residential care and are passionate about supporting people more flexibly in the community, then Shared Lives could be for you.
• You want to become a meaningful part of someone’s life and be able to support them in all their activities.
• You have a passion for helping others live a fulfilling and interesting life.
• You would like the opportunity to take part in wider social events and celebrations and access existing resources, as well as connecting to a wealth of support and friendships.