Support and help for adults

As Shared Lives care takes place in the home rather than a residential facility, it's often compared to fostering. A Shared Lives arrangement is someone living within a family home.

In every Shared Lives home you’re helped and supported by a carer who will share their home with you and include you as part of their family. You’ll have your own bedroom and the use of other rooms such as the bathroom, living room and kitchen.

Redbridge’s Shared Lives scheme is managed by the London Borough of Waltham Forest who work in partnership to deliver this service. Further information is available on their website Shared Lives | London Borough of Waltham Forest

These families are supported and supervised by the Shared Lives scheme, which is regulated and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The last inspection gave our service a good rating in 2019. 

Who can use Shared Lives?

Shared lives is for people who:

• need support to live in the community
• are over 18
• are eligible for social care services

This includes:

• adults with learning disabilities
• adults with autism
• adults who experience mental health problems
• people with physical disability
• people with sensory impairment
• older people including people with dementia
• young adults transitioning from children’s services
• people with other disabilities or impairments which cause them to be vulnerable or at risk

Shared Lives placements can be long term or short term.

What to expect if you live with a Shared Lives carer?

In a Shared Lives home you will have the opportunity to:

• live in a Carer’s home as part of their family and community
• share experiences and try new things
• be encouraged to learn new skills and be as independent as possible
• live the kind of lifestyle you want to, doing the things that are important to you
• have your privacy and dignity respected
• feel a valued member of the family and this may include helping with household responsibilities
• make your own choices or be supported to have your voice heard
• maintain important relationships with your family and friends
• maintain physical and emotional well being

How can i live with a Shared Lives carer?

If you are known to Adult Social Services, please contact your allocated team or social worker. 

If you are not known to Adult Social Services, please contact us

Who are Shared Lives carers?

Shared Lives carers can be individuals or families who are able to provide care and accommodation in their own homes for service users.

Carers will go through an application process to assess their suitability for this role and go through a pre-approval assessment and training process. An independent panel then assesses their application to determine whether they can become a Shared Lives carer. 

All Shared Lives carers are self-employed and must meet with an agreed standard of care set down by the Shared Lives scheme. They are provided with training and support through the Shared Lives scheme to ensure they're able to meet the care and support needs of the people living with them. 

What are the benefits to becoming a Shared Lives carers?

• Be self-employed and work from home
• Have a regular income as a paid Shared Lives Carer while someone is staying with you.
• The person living with you in the Shared Lives Scheme will contribute rent to the property; this may be through housing benefits or other income they have.
• The person living with you in the Shared Lives Scheme will contribute towards their own living costs, such as groceries.
• Holiday entitlement
• Get continuous support and guidance
• Have regular training, newsletters and support meetings with other Share Lives carers

Can anyone be a Shared Lives carer? 

Carers must: 

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a good-sized spare bedroom.
• Be a full-time UK resident or have leave to remain.
• Have the time to care for someone.
• Yes, anyone can become a Shared Lives carer. However, if someone has a criminal conviction that relates to an offence against children or vulnerable adults or a sexual offence, they will be prevented from becoming a carer.   
• You must be trained and assessed by a Shared Lives scheme before being approved as a Shared Lives carer. 
• No qualifications or experience are required to be a Shared Lives carer but you will receive training. 

How to apply to become a Shared Lives carer

Contact the Shared Lives team for an informal chat. They’ll ask you a few questions and take some basic details from you.

The team will then send you information about the scheme and an application form that you’ll need to complete.

The team is happy to give you any support you need and will keep you informed of the progress of your application.

If you would like to become a Shared Lives carer, please contact the Shared Lives Officer on 0208 928 8300 or email shared.lives@walthamforest.gov.uk