A Shared Lives carer shares their home with someone wo needs support with everyday living. The carer offers them help and emotional support.
You could be a Shared Lives carer if you have:
- a home that you own or rent
- an interest in working from your own home
- time and energy to give practical and emotional support
- a spare bedroom (if becoming a Long-term or Short break carer) the support of your household if you’re a couple or family
- an interest in working from your own home
You don't need to have done relevant care work. We’ll give full training and support to people with enthusiasm and informal experience.
Support the person you’re matched with
As a Shared Lives carer, you’ll offer practical and emotional support to the person you’re matched with.
You might help someone:
- with household chores such as laundry, cooking, or shopping
- wash, get dressed, or remember to take their medicine
- stay in touch with family, make friends, and join community activities
- go to college, volunteer, get training or a job, and learn how to manage their money
Keep notes on their progress
You‘ll need to write short notes on the progress of the person you’re matched with. This will include things like their achievements or setbacks.
We’ll train you on how to take notes, and we’ll use the notes you take to help our reviews with you.
For Long Term care, you will receive fees of between £300 to £620 a week.
The self-employed status of the work comes with simplified tax arrangements, including up to tax relief.
Fees through Shared Lives are exempt from tax up to £18,000.
You will need to register to be self employed.
Long Term care placements: you’ll also get rent and a payment towards food and bills.
Day support and respite rates: the pay is per session. You can speak to the Shared Lives team for further information.
You'll be carefully matched with whoever you support so the placement works for both of you.
This is based on your:
- lifestyle
- interests
- availability
- experience
We'll tell you about their needs and introduce you, so you have time to get to know one another.
We'll only go ahead if you're both happy and you can stop the process at any time without criticism or blame.
You can choose a type of Shared Lives carer role that suits you.
We offer 3 types of Shared Lives caring:
1. Long-Term Support Carer
As a long-term support carer, you’ll welcome someone to live in your home. They’ll become part of your daily life.
This can continue as long as:
- you’re both happy, and
- the placement continues to meet the person’s needs
This role creates a stable, supportive environment for someone’s daily life.
You must have a spare bedroom to take on this role.
Lifestyle compatibility is a key consideration when matching you.
Breaks
You’ll have 28 nights paid respite. In these respite breaks, the person you care for will normally stay with another Shared Lives carer or an alternative service.
2. Short Breaks Carer
As a Respite Carer, you provide short-term stays for Shared Lives service users.
These short-term stays are typically from a weekend up to 2 weeks. Short break arrangements can be flexible to fit in around carers’ availability.
This offers their long-term carer a break and gives the supported person a chance to enjoy new surroundings and experiences. This can also help them build their independence.
Arrangements can be flexible to fit around your availability.
You must have a spare bedroom to take on this role.
Transport to your home
This is normally arranged by the person you’re matched with or their family.
3. Day Support Carer
As a Day Support Carer, you’ll welcome a service user into your home for a few hours or a full day.
It’s a flexible role that doesn’t need an overnight stay or a spare bedroom.
Time together might include activities at home or outings in the community.
This kind of support helps the person you care for:
- enjoy a change of pace
- have social interaction
- explore new interests or develop skills
Transport to your home
This is normally arranged by the person you’re matched with or their family.
After an initial enquiry, potential carers will be asked to fill out an application form.
The Shared Lives Team will then check your references and carry out DBS checks.
Then potential carers will undergo a period of assessment and training. Lastly, they will meet with an approval panel.
You’ll need to do some free Shared Lives training courses with us.
These are a mixture of online e-learning and in-person courses.
The courses include but not limited to:
- first aid
- health and safety
- safeguarding adults
Plus, any other courses relevant to the needs of the person you support.
Ongoing support
You'll have a Shared Lives Officer allocated to you for guidance and support.
Support and monitoring visits from the team are every 2 to 3 months.
The visits will be more often with a new placement, or if you need extra support.
During these visits, you can talk about:
- any training you may need
- health and safety
- your own support needs and wellbeing
- a review of the needs of the person you support
Or any other areas you need. We’ll also help you with:
- paperwork
- finances
- any benefits for the person you're supporting
We hold 3 monthly Shared Lives carer meetings.
You can also link with other carers for additional support.
Bristol Shared Lives is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The CQC will check the records held by the team and assess the quality and safety of the care and support we offer.
As part of this inspection, they may want to visit your home.
If you want to find out more about being a carer in Bristol Shared Lives contact us.