Could you share your home and family life with an adult who needs support? We're looking for people to join our Shared Lives service as a carer.
Being a Shared Lives carer is rewarding and you can offer as much or little time as you can, in return we offer an annual payment of £505 per week for long term carers.
You don't need any previous experience and we'll provide all the training you need.
Shared Lives has been a huge success nationally and the people living in Shared Lives say they feel more settled, valued and make friends more easily than with traditional types of care.
We want to make the service available to more people and you could help us by becoming a Shared Lives carer.
What is Shared Lives?
The Shared Lives concept is similar to foster care for adults, where carers share their home and family life with an adult who needs help or support to live well.
People you support could come from any background and everyone needs a different level of care and support. Some people just require advice and guidance whilst others might want more direct support with daily tasks such as cooking, laundry and managing money or budgets.
Find out more about Shared Lives.
Who uses the Shared Lives service?
The scheme is open to any adult with learning disabilities who has a social care assessment that indicates they are eligible for, and would benefit from, the Shared Lives service.
Who can be a Shared Lives carer?
Our Shared Lives carers come from all walks of life and they do a superb job. They are friendly, have lots of enthusiasm for the people they look after and find it very rewarding.
If you have plenty of patience, flexibility, dedication, commitment and a spare room for the person you support to live in, you could join our team and become a Shared Lives carer.
Find out more about becoming a carer.
What does the work involve?
This will depend upon the person you are supporting. You might need to assist with:
- accompanying people to appointments
- support with transport to leisure activities or work placements
- holidays and outings
- encouraging them to get involved with their local community and increase social contact
- helping to manage finances and safekeeping of medication
Where are carers based?
Shared Lives carers work from their own homes to provide day support, short term respite or long term live in arrangements for adults who have social care needs.
Find out about the different types of placements.
What support would I get as a Shared Lives carer?
If you are suitable, you'll be given all the training and support you need by our Shared Lives team.
Find out more about the support available for our carers.
What is the recruitment process?
All of our carers go through a thorough assessment process which involves an application form, home visits, and meetings with a Shared Lives staff member.
Please don’t let this put you off - our friendly team are here to support you every step of the way.
Find out more about the approval process.
Who decides who I will be caring for?
All of our Shared Lives carers and the people they support are matched carefully to make sure that they feel comfortable with each other before agreeing to spend time together. Our team works really hard to identify shared interests, pets, hobbies and places that will help build a bond and rapport.
How do I become a Shared Lives carer?
Take the next step today and enquire about becoming a Shared Lives carer in by using our online enquiry form.
If you want to find out more about the service please give our friendly team a call on 0191 211 5378 or email sharedlives@newcastle.gov.uk and we will be happy to help.
Becoming a carer
Being a Shared Lives carer is very rewarding, because our scheme is growing, we are actively seeking new carers who are able to support individuals on a short or long term basis.
Our Shared Lives carers in Newcastle come from all walks of life. You don’t need any qualifications or experience – you just need to be willing to share your home and make a real difference to someone's life.
Our Shared Lives team will provide you with full training and support to ensure everyone has the help they need. You will be paid an allowance to provide a family environment and support to individuals for short breaks, a long-term placement or for a few hours a day.
To be a Shared Lives carer you need to be able to:
- offer a safe, supported and welcoming home with a spare bedroom if it is a long-term placement, short break or emergency care
- offer a stable and supportive environment, and have the motivation and commitment to developing a long-term caring relationship
- offer time, encouragement and opportunity whilst being aware of the person you are caring for and their needs
You might need to assist with:
- accompanying people to appointments, for doctors and dentists and other health services
- transport to and from leisure activities, work, college or community venues such as the library, shops and swimming pool
- holidays, outings and entertainment such as outdoor activities
- advocating, that is speaking up on the person's behalf if they struggle to do so themselves
- helping to manage finances and safekeeping of medication
- reviews and attending meetings for or with the person
What are the housing requirements?
You can have any style of home as long as it meets our fire, health and safety requirements and is in good repair and decoration.
For long term placements, short breaks or emergency care you will need to provide:
- a comfortable, furnished bedroom for the person to have sole use of during their stay
- use of communal areas of your house, living room, kitchen, bathroom, garden areas, etc
- a healthy varied diet including meals, snacks and drinks
- some support with day to day living, laundry, personal care
- your time, patience and enthusiasm to support people to learn essential skills, develop friendships, and try new experiences
You do not have to own your own home to be a Shared Lives Carer.
We are particularly keen to hear from you if you have ground floor accommodation and if you live in a property that has already been adapted. If you are providing short breaks you do not need any adaptations, although we are looking to recruit new carers with already adapted ground floor accommodation. If a person was living with you long term your Shared Lives worker would discuss any adaptations necessary.
Are there any other requirements?
You will need to have Domestic and Public Liability Insurance (specifically for the scheme) to meet Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Newcastle City Council's contractual requirements - we can advise you about how to arrange this.
Shared Lives is a unique model of support, which is often rewarding for both the carer and the person using the service. There will be specific requirements and expectations about how a person's support is provided, and these will be fully explored with you before any placement is made.
You will be supported by the Shared Lives Team, who will help you to develop into the role. Mandatory training will be provided on a range of topics which will help you to provide good quality support.