Shared Lives is a scheme which matches people who need help with care and support, with approved Shared Lives Carers. The carer will share their home and community life whilst providing care and support to the person living with them. Support from a Shared Lives Carer can be offered as day, short term, respite or the person can live with the carer long term.
Shared Lives sits under the Learning Disabilities service, and we work very closely with the Social Work team.
Who is the scheme for?
The scheme is for adults aged 18+ who live in the London Borough of Bromley, meet the eligibility criteria and need support to live independently. This includes, but is not limited to:
- People who have a diagnosed learning disability
- People with mental health needs
- People with general or complex disabilities
How does the scheme work?
Shared Lives provides an alternative to traditional residential care for people who require support and enables the person to share in family and community life, promoting independent living. We also provide opportunities to have daytime activities based in our approved carers homes.
Shared Lives officers will carry out an assessment of all potential carer(s). This includes their skills, abilities, experience, background and property. Shared Lives officers carry out the relevant checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references and a health and safety assessment. We’ll also ask for references for all potential carer(s). Once completed, a Shared Lives Officer will present the potential carer(s) assessment to panel for approval. Once approved the carer has a named officer who will visit every 8 to 12 weeks and will also have access to support groups and ongoing training.
Matching process?
The matching process is at the heart of Shared Lives.
Matching is about making sure people get the Shared Lives carers that are right for them, and vice versa. You and the person you support will decide on whether you're the right match for each other.
Various things are taken into consideration to make sure people are matched with the right Shared Lives carer(s), including:
- The day to day help the supported person needs
- What skills the Shared Lives carer has
- What hobbies and interests the supported person and the Shared Lives carer have
Introductory period
Once a match is identified, there will be a short visit, gradually increasing to overnight or weekend stays.
There is no fixed pattern for the introductory period. It depends on all parties being happy with the arrangement.
Further information
The scheme is registered with the CQC (Care Quality commission) and adheres to current legislation. View our latest inspection report.
You can find out more about the scheme in the service users guide (PDF - 3.8 MB) and more about becoming a carer, alternatively please contact the team.