About the Shared Lives scheme
"Shared Lives has enriched our lives and also the lives of our families and those around us."
Shared Lives carers are self-employed. West Sussex County Council provides you with training, ongoing support and payment.
Shared Lives carers work co-operatively with West Sussex County Council, must be approved by the scheme and are bound to legal requirements as regulated by Care Quality Commission (CQC).
We have more than 100 Shared Lives carers across West Sussex. Approved, trained and highly skilled Shared Lives carers open their family homes to provide long or short-term care and support to individuals.
The scheme is for adults in West Sussex who have assessed care and support needs. It can also help young adults moving on from foster care and, in some cases, people aged 18 and over.
Shared Lives supports people with different needs, including:
- learning disabilities
- physical disabilities
- mental health needs
- dementia
- older people who may need extra support
The scheme helps people live as independently as possible and be part of their local community.
What the scheme aims to do
The Shared Lives scheme aims to:
- help people take part in their local community
- support people to live the life they choose
- listen to people and treat them with kindness, dignity and respect
- help people live in a place they can call home
- make sure people are involved in decisions about their care and support
- help people keep friendships and relationships and make new ones
- support people's health and wellbeing
How the scheme works
A team of qualified staff at West Sussex County Council runs the Shared Lives scheme. They recruit, assess, monitor, train and support Shared Lives carers. They also check that Shared Lives carers continue to provide high-quality care and support.
Shared Lives carers use their own homes to provide a range of accommodation, care and support options, sharing their everyday lives with individuals.
The scheme focuses on helping people enjoy a normal family and community life. People can stay connected to their local area and take part in activities they enjoy. This may include work, education, volunteering or other meaningful daytime activities.
The scheme also helps people build their confidence, develop new skills and form relationships with others. You can find out more about this by reviewing the CQC Quality of Life tool.
The scheme offers a range of services, including:
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As a Shared Lives carer, you could welcome someone to live with you on a long-term basis. The person has their own bedroom and shares daily life with you and your family. They can take part in local activities and be part of the community.
You will support the person to make their own choices and live as independently and safely as possible.
As a long-term Shared Lives carer it’s important that you take time away from your Shared Lives caring role. As you move from enquiry to assessment, we can discuss arrangements for time away with you, including how we manage payments during these periods.
You must own or rent your own property and will be paid for care, support, accommodation, utilities and food.
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As a short break Shared Lives carer, you’ll provide regular support. This could be long weekends, a 2 week stay, several weekends a month or something different. You can speak to our team during the assessment process about what commitment you’re able to offer.
Someone staying with you on a short break will be part of your daily life; sharing your home, family and community activities with the person you’re matched with, based on their needs and interests. They’ll need their own bedroom and privacy.
As a Shared Lives carer, you will support them to make their own choices and live as independently and safely as possible for the duration of their short break.
You must own or rent your property and will be paid for care, support and food.
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Day share offers an opportunity to provide meaningful daytime support (hours can be flexible to include evenings and weekends where suitable), sharing your home, family and community activities with the person you’re matched with, based on their needs and interests.
You can support up to 3 people at the same time through day share support.
People using day share support do not need their own bedroom, but must have access to a comfortable living room with enough seating for everyone.
You must own or rent your own property, which will act as the base for your day share support and you will be paid for care, support and food.
Find information about pay and benefits.
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Whether you’re interested in offering long term, short break or day share support, we are keen to hear from Shared Lives carers who can offer homes that meet different physical needs.
This could include:
- ground floor access
- a step-free or low-step entrance
- space for mobility aids
- a walk-in shower