Shared lives scheme

Shared lives offers highly flexible, family-based support, where a carer opens up their home to a young person or adult who needs a little extra support to live well. They become your carer, helping you get out and about in the community, accompanying you to your appointments, and attending meetings about your care.

Shared lives is a unique type of care and support. Carers and their families will make you feel part of the family, and include you in their everyday lives.

Who shared lives is for

Shared lives is available to:

• adults with a learning or physical disability
• older people in need of a little extra support
• adults with a mental health condition
• young people transitioning from children’s services to adult social care
• people who need help to manage their health needs

Types of support

Shared lives carers offer a range of support to suit your needs. This includes:

• long-term support, where you'd move in and live with your carer
• staying with your carer and their family for a day or more each week
• staying with your carer and their family for a short period of time
• day support - where you visit for a few hours at a time

Benefits of shared lives

Shared lives can help you to:

• learn new skills and build your confidence in a safe, supportive environment
• meet new people, building potentially life-long caring relationships
• put down roots in your local area and be an active part of your community
• achieve your goals, through high-quality, person-centred care 
• take steps towards living independently in the future

If you need care and support, shared lives could be a great alternative to going into a care home or having someone help you in your home.

Your carer

All our shared lives carers are recruited, trained and supported by us. We'll carefully match you with your carer to make sure you're comfortable with each other before agreeing to spend time together. We'll identify any shared interests, pets, hobbies and places you both like, to help you build a bond and rapport. Our team will also offer regular support and you'll have the chance to tell us how you’re finding your care.

How to apply

If you think shared lives could be right for you or a loved one, fill in our online form below.

We can tell you when you have a social care assessment if you're eligible for some help to pay for this service. If you’ve already had an assessment and receive services from adult social care, speak to your social worker about shared lives or call us on 01226 775023.

If you’re arranging and paying for your own care, we can visit you to talk about the suitability of shared lives to meet your needs and how much it will cost.

More information