What is Shared Lives?
The Shared Lives Service (formerly known as Adult placement) supports a variety of different arrangements where families and individuals in local communities can offer accommodation and/or support for up to three vulnerable adults.
Shared Lives carers are recruited and approved by the Shared Lives service which is managed by Shropshire Council and registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Who can be supported through a Shared Lives arrangement?
All sorts of people can be supported in a Shared Lives arrangement including:
- Adults with a learning disability
- Adults with mental health issues
- Adults with a physical disability
- Older people/dementia
- Young people in transition to adult services
- Home from hospital
- Adults requiring support in their own home with the carer acting as extended family
Service aims
The Shared Lives Service aims to match the skills of the carers with the needs of the individuals seeking a service. We aim to promote and maintain the independence, safety, dignity and rights of the individuals at all times.
Who are Shared Lives carers?
Shared Lives carers are people from all walks of life: single people, couples or families with children. They use their own home as a resource.
Everyone who becomes a Shared Lives carer has to undergo an assessment from a Shared Lives co-ordinator which is then presented to an approval panel as part of the approval process.
A CRB check and references are taken up before any arrangement can take place.
How are arrangements funded?
Shared Lives is a community-based service and may be funded by a variety of different sources including:
- Housing benefit to meet the cost of the rent (long term only)
- The personal income of the person supported in the arrangement, to meet the cost of daily living
- Personal budget
What sort of services can Shared Lives provide?
- Long term accommodation and support
- Short Breaks
- Day time support
- Rehab or intermediate support – home from hospital
- Kinship support where the carer acts as ‘extended family’ to someone living in their own home
If you would like further information on becoming a Shared Lives carer please see the attached brochure and forms, or contact the Shared Lives Team using the contact details below.