Shared Lives
Shared Lives are able to provide support to adults referred by a social worker who are eligible under the Care Act.
This may be an adult with:
- learning disabilities
- autism
- mental health needs
- adults leaving hospital who need some further support
The person will be able to live with an assessed Shared Lives carer and develop their independence with support around them, in the Shared Lives carers home.
Support
Shared Lives carers are trained by the scheme and will provide support and encouragement for each individual to maintain and develop new skills jointly with the carer. Sharing new and fun experiences together.
People can access Shared Lives for a respite stay of a couple of days or weeks, or for a longer period of time. Having a choice of which Shared Lives carer they would like to stay/live with, they will be supported to get to know the carer at their own pace, before moving in.
How individuals are matched with Shared Lives carers
Matching and good introductions are key to making sure that safe effective and long-lasting arrangements are made.
It ensures Shared Lives carers and those seeking Shared Lives support get to know each other.
The information gathered at referral allows the scheme to build a knowledge of the person assessed needs wishes and aspirations.
When looking for a match Shared Lives takes into account:
- the person’s assessed needs and wishes
- any identified risk/risk management
- skills, knowledge, and experience of the Shared Lives carer
- personal interests of the person and Shared Lives carer
- the location of the Shared Lives carers home
- the facilities and accommodation that can be offered by the Shared Lives carer
- the cultures and faiths that are important to the individual and Shared Lives carer
We then look for Carers who would be a suitable match. If the person accessing Shared Lives would then like to meet one or all of the suggested carers, an introductory meeting will then be arranged. This can be at the Shared Lives carers home, in the community or at the individual’s home, wherever the referred person feels most comfortable.
The person can then visit the Shared Lives carers home, see the room, meet other household members.
Visits can be at the individual’s own pace, meeting for a cup of tea, having dinner and building up to an overnight stay.
The matching process can be stopped at any time if either the individual or Shared Lives carer feels the match would not work. If one Shared Lives option does not work, people can meet other Shared Lives carers to see if they feel the match works for them.
How to access the service
You can ask your social worker to speak with the team about the possibility of living within Shared Lives, they will then make a referral on your behalf to the team.
A person from Shared Lives Lewisham would then like to come and meet you, to find out more about you and what you would like, and for you to be able to ask us any questions that you might have.
The team will then work with you to find the right Shared Lives carer
Find out more about Shared Lives by speaking with a member of our team.
Email: Sharedlives@lewisham.gov.uk
Who can be a carer?
People who have an understanding of care and want to make a meaningful difference to someone’s life. Whether you’re single or part of a couple, young or old, have children or not, own your own home or rent, you can apply.
What matters is that your enthusiasm for supporting people with additional needs to live as independently as possible as part of your family.
No formal qualifications are necessary - we provide all the training and support that you’ll need. You just need a spare bedroom, a willingness to learn and the passion to support an individual to develop their independence.