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Shared Lives Scheme

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The Shared Lives Scheme is a service which links people who need support with carers in their local community. The carer’s home and household is used as a resource.

To be eligible to receive support through the scheme, the person must have eligible needs as assessed under The Care Act 2014. The person may either be funded through Social Services or be a “self-funder”.

Could you be a shared lives carer? Watch our Shared Lives film and see the details below and learn more.

 

Could you use your spare room to help a person from your local community and generate an income for your household? If you could – find out about Shared Lives!

What is Shared Lives?

  • Shared Lives is a scheme that matches people needing support with households who have spare rooms.

Who Can be a Shared Lives Carer?

  • Shared Lives carers need to be willing to offer support to a person who has needs such as a learning disability, autism or sensory impairment.
  • A household can have one or more carers registered with the scheme – for example a couple could be registered to provide support.

What Support Could I Offer?

  • We need households to offer full-time or respite support.
  • Full-time is a person living in the household on a permanent basis, it doesn’t mean they need support from the household all of the time!
  • Respite support could be for regular (weekly/fortnightly), intermittent or urgent stays – times could be flexible but would include overnight.

Who Would Come to Stay in my Home?

  • The service supports people who have additional needs, the person would be age 17 or over.
  • We match people to carers, based on both parties’ requirements and interests.
  • Shared Lives carers decide on whether to support a person or not.

What About the Income?

  • Shared Lives carers receive fees for supporting a person.
  • Carers are self-employed and benefit from significant tax incentives.
  • A full-time arrangement can provide income of £500 – £900 per week.
  • A respite arrangement can provide income of £80 – £150 per night.

What Support Would I Get?

  • The scheme provides a dedicated coordinator to each carer household.
  • The scheme provides training and on-going support to ensure the household is providing a quality service.
  • The scheme sources referrals for the household.

What if I Work or have Children?

  • Shared Lives can fit around work or childcare.

How do I find out more?

More about what we offer to clients:

We support you to develop your independence, to join in activities which will help you meet new people and to make new friends and become more involved in the community.

We link you with Shared Lives Carers who have many skills and interests. You will meet your Carer, and get to know them first to ensure you are matched to someone who you feel you will get along with. Shared Lives Carers are ordinary people living in (or near to) Bath and North East Somerset and are supported by the Shared Lives Scheme. They have full training and are assessed, including relevant checks and references, before they become Carers. We are registered with CQC to provide personal care.

We can offer:

  • Full-Time Placements:

Where you choose to live with a Shared Lives Carer in their home. This can be for a few months, or for longer.

  • Overnight Respite:

Regular short breaks away from your family home in the local community.

  • Daytime Support:

Support in the Carers home, and within the local community.

How do I access this service?

Referrals are accepted from:

  • Your Social Worker/Support Service Coordinator in the Social Care Team (including if you are a self-funder)

Once you have been referred to the service, a member of the team will contact you and your Social Worker/ Support Service Coordinator to arrange an appointment to identify your needs and the service we can offer.

What does this service cost?

You must be entitled to a Personal Budget to pay for your support, or be classed as a Self-Funder to pay directly for this. Depending on what type of support you receive, you may need to contribute to some household food, bills or other costs.

Rainbow Resource

You can access information on what services children, young people and their families can expect from a range of local agencies – including education, health and social care providers and voluntary organisations using the Bath and North East Somerset Local Offer website – the Rainbow Resource.

 

Contact details:

Shared Lives Service

Connections Day Service,

Frome Rd,

Radstock

BA3 3LL

t: 01225 395086

t:07976 915950

email: bathnes.sharedlives@hcrgcaregroup.com

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