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Who can be a Shared Lives carer?

Our Shared Lives carers come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Some have had experience of caring for others in the past, maybe as part of their career, whereas others are new to this role. Some have grown-up children who’ve left home, some have large families who help to care, others live just with the person they support.

First and foremost, our carers are committed to improving the lives of others and share the values that are important to Hampshire County Council. They are caring, compassionate people who are willing to go that little bit further to make a difference in someone else’s life.

How do Shared Lives carers support people?

Shared Lives carers empower people to reach their goals. They do this by supporting people in the way they want to be supported – whether it’s help with daily tasks, personal care or emotional support.

The ways our carers support people are as varied and unique as the people they assist. Each relationship is built on trust and understanding, making sure everyone feels valued and respected.

If you are ready to make a positive impact, we’d love to hear from you!

“We were able to support a young woman following discharge from hospital whilst she waited for her independent accommodation. Not only were we able to support the hospital and enable her discharge, but also help the young lady prepare for independent living.”

(Friend of a Service User)

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Do Shared Lives carers get paid?

Yes, as a Shared Lives carer you will receive a support fee for your time. The amount received depends on the needs of the person you are caring for. For those in long-term placements, individuals also pay a set amount towards the family food budget and household bills. Additionally, they receive assistance in managing their own license agreement and paying rent, usually through partial or full benefits.

Criteria for becoming a carer

Yes, support is provided in the carer’s own home. This can be owned or rented with the landlord’s agreement.

 

Carers are recruited by the Shared Lives team whose officers also monitor the quality of the care and accommodation. They provide ongoing support and advice to both the carer and the person who uses the service. Carers are not employees of the County Council, being classed as self-employed. The term ‘carer’ is used because the role involves more than a landlord/tenant relationship. It includes building friendship and trust, showing an interest in the individual, thus enabling them to gain confidence and independence. No formal qualifications are required to become a carer. However, some aptitude, experience, or willingness to learn about the relevant service user group is essential.

 

Carers can receive payments up to their tax threshold without paying tax. To find out more visit the GOV.UK website for more information..

 

Types of care

As a Shared Lives carer, you can provide meaningful support in your own home, creating a warm and welcoming environment for individuals who need assistance. Here’s how you can make a difference:

  • Long-term Support: By welcoming someone into your home for an extended period, you can build a strong, trusting relationship. You’ll assist the service user to be as independent as possible with daily activities, personal care, and emotional support, ensuring that the individual feels comfortable and empowered in their new environment, as well as encouraging them to develop their skills. The ability of the person you support can vary depending on their support needs.
  • Short-term (Respite) Support: If you prefer a more flexible arrangement, short-term support is a great option. You can provide care for individuals who need temporary assistance or to give their usual caregivers a much-needed break.
  • Day Support: For those service users who want to return home at night, day support allows you to support and engage with them during the day. You’ll participate in meaningful activities, assist with daily tasks, and provide companionship, all while respecting their independence.

Each type of support is tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual you care for. Your role is vital in helping them gain confidence and to be as independent as possible, making a real difference in their lives.

To become a Shared Lives carer, you’ll need to apply for the role and go through an approval process. This ensures that you meet the necessary standards for a Shared Lives carer and have the skills to prepare you for the role.

Please keep in mind that the application process takes between three and six months to complete.

We’re here to support you through every step of this journey. Have a look at the steps in our application process and if you have any questions or need more information, feel free to contact us.

Approval process

Step 1 - Register your interest

To register your interest in becoming a Shared Lives carer, please contact us by either of the following methods:

Or

Step 2 - Initial conversation

We’ll call you to talk through the Shared Lives scheme in a bit more detail. We’ll also check if you meet the basic requirements of our scheme, like living in the right area and having a spare bedroom.

We’ll then email you an application form for you to complete, or you can complete a Shared Lives application form online here.

Step 3 - Home review

When we receive your completed application, we’ll contact you to carry out a home review. This is part of the process to see if the carer's role is right for you and to see if you’re a good fit for the Shared Lives carer role. During the home review we’ll talk about:

You and your lifestyle:

We’ll discuss what it’s like to be a Shared Lives carer. You might even meet other carers to hear about their experiences. We’ll talk about your experiences, relationships, caregiving skills, as well as your family, lifestyle, and anything you do in the community.

Home standards:

We’ll also check your home to ensure that:

  • There’s enough space for another person
  • You have a spare room
  • Your home is safe and suitable. This helps us meet the quality standards required by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Please note: our Shared Lives service is regularly checked by the Care Quality Commission. You can find the results of our latest review on the Care Quality Commission website.

We will also start working with you to produce a ‘Home Brochure’ which will be shared with people looking for a Shared Lives carer. This will include information about you and your family, if appropriate, your likes and interests, and your experience. We’ll include details about your home, including photos where appropriate, any pets, and facilities in the home like WiFi, phone, bathrooms, etc.

Step 4 - Checks and references

To help us assess if you are suitable for this role, we’ll need to:

Step 5 - Review the assessment

Once we have completed our assessment, we’ll share it with you so that you know what it contains before we send it to our Shared Lives panel. You’ll also be able to comment on and add any other details that you feel are important to your application.

Step 6 - Panel verification

Our Shared Lives panel is a group of interested and experienced people who consider all new Shared Lives carer applications. They will review your application and make recommendations on its approval.

The Registered Manager is also part of the panel and has overall responsibility for the Shared Lives scheme. They will review the recommendations made by the panel and decide the outcome of your application.

Step 7 - Results

Once the Registered Manager has made a decision, we will contact you with the results, usually on the same day as the panel meeting.

If your application has been delayed pending further review, we’ll discuss with you what needs to happen before your application is resubmitted to the panel.

If your application is approved, we’ll start the matching process and send you information about people who are looking for a Shared Lives carer.

Probation

Following your successful first placement, the Registered Manager will visit you after three months. This is to make sure things are going well for both you and the person you are supporting.

Your training

We’ll discuss your training and any skills or experience you already have. We’ll also advise which training you should begin to undertake and tell you how to access our online training website.

  • We’ll give you advice on everything you need to begin, including public liability insurance, health and safety, and important paperwork. If you have questions, we’ll walk you through anything you’re not sure of.
  • You will receive full and thorough training to prepare you for the role of a Shared Lives carer. Once you’re up and running, you’ll be enrolled into a programme of essential online learning, which you’ll complete as you go along.
  • You’ll have a dedicated member who’ll get to know you and the person you support really well. They’ll be your main contact and will check in with you regularly.
  • We’ll guide you through an induction process to prepare you for the different parts of your role, ensuring you feel confident and ready.
  • We’ll explain all the policies and procedures you need to follow, helping you understand how to meet the required standards.
  • We’ll prepare you for dealing with different situations you might come across.
  • We’ll be here for you whenever you need us! Plus, we’ve got an out-of-hours support line for help and advice when our offices are closed.
  • We’ll introduce you to a network of carers just like you.

Can I choose who I will be supporting?

You will be carefully matched with the person you’ll be supporting based on their needs and lifestyle, your home and personality, as well as any shared interests. It’s important that you find the right person to support, so we’ll start sending you information about people looking for a Shared Lives carer as soon as your application is approved.

The match-making process is done by a member of our team who will monitor any matches made from the beginning. You will have the chance to meet the person you’ve been matched with and spend some time together before placements begin. This helps to make sure that both you and the person using the service feel happy before the arrangement is made.

We review each arrangement at least quarterly to make sure things are going well for both the carer and the person being supported. If there are any difficulties, we’ll work to find solutions. If there are any concerns that cannot be resolved, we’ll end the arrangement and help make new matches for the carer and the person being supported.

Resources for existing carers

For more information please view our resources page.

View our resources