Shared Lives carers

Preparing to be a Shared Lives carer

Once you have completed the application process and been approved, you have a few more things to do before you can start being a Shared Lives carer.

What you need to do next

Step 1 - Complete training

You must complete your training and gain your care certificate. You will not be able to have anyone share your life until then (however, we will start the matching process). 

Step 2 - The matching process

It’s important that you find the right person to support, so we’ll start sending you information about people who are looking for a Shared Lives carer.

You’ll find out their likes, dislikes, needs, and what they’re looking for in a carer.

When we find someone who may be a match for you, we’ll set up the opportunity for you to meet and spend some time together before anything is confirmed.

This helps to make sure that both you and the person who needs a carer are happy before any arrangement is made

When you have been successfully matched

Once the match has been agreed, and you have started sharing your home, we’ll review the arrangement after 6 weeks.

This is to make sure things are going well for both you and the person you are supporting. If there are any difficulties, we’ll work through them.

Support groups and organisations

Shared Lives Team 

Our Shared Lives team will support you in your role as a carer.

Once your application has been approved, you will be allocated a support worker within the team who will:

• stay in contact with you and be on hand to help address any issues
• provide ongoing support and monitoring through regular visits
• carry out a yearly carer review to check how the placement is going

An out of hours emergency team is also available to help. We will provide you with these details when your application is approved.

Carers' meetings

Carers' meetings are held throughout the year to give you the opportunity to meet with other carers and share your experiences. The Shared Lives team will let you know the dates in advance.

Shared Lives Plus 

Shared Lives Plus provides a range of information about becoming a Shared Lives carer.

They also offer membership that includes shopping discounts, legal support and an online chat room to help you connect with other Shared Lives carers.

Visit the Shared Lives Plus website.

Last updated 13 November 2023