Shared Lives Scheme

Shared Lives provides long term placements, short breaks and emergency support to adults with learning disabilities.

Address: South Shields Town Hall and Civic Offices (Level 2), Westoe Road, South Shields, NE33 2RL
Telephone number: 0191 424 7279
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Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Support available
  3. Who can access the service
  4. How to access the service

Overview

Individual support is provided in an approved carers' home so that the person can live in a family surrounding.

Shared Lives carers will aim to:

  • Provide a safe and secure home that supports an individual's rights, independence, choice and inclusion
  • Provide a comfortable homely environment
  • Encourage the learning and development of skills whilst bearing in mind the risks
  • Support in leisure activities and introducing new experiences
  • Support and encourage 'get togethers' with family and friends
  • Encourage involvement in and around the local community

Support available

Shared Lives arrangements can be:

  • Long term placements
  • Short stay
  • Enabling support
  • Emergency support

Shared Lives carers

In every Shared Lives arrangement, you are supported by a shared lives carer who will share their home with you and include you as part of their family.

All Shared Lives carers have been trained and approved by the Shared Lives scheme. They are supported and monitored by the Council's Shared Lives scheme.

There are different kinds of Shared Lives carers.

Some carers are couples, some are single, some have children and some provide support to more than one person.

Become a Shared Lives carer

If you would like to become a Shared Lives carer, see Become a Shared Lives carer.

Who can access the service

Adults who have been assessed as having a learning disability and meet the Fair Access to Care Services criteria (FACS).

A financial assessment will be completed to determine the cost to the person receiving the service.

How to access the service

If you would like to try the shared lives scheme, you can talk to any of the following and they can contact the right person for you:

  • social worker
  • care manager
  • key worker
  • parent or someone from your family

For more information on shared lives carers and choosing the right one for you, see Choosing your Shared Lives carer.