Become a Shared Lives carer

Being a Shared Lives carer is a rewarding and fulfilling role where you will be making a positive difference to someone's life.

As a Shared Lives carer, you will share your home, family, and community life with someone who needs extra support, to help them develop the skills to live independently.

It is a flexible, paid way of working and isn't a regular job in care.

Some people move in with their Shared Lives carer, while others are regular daytime visitors. Some combine daytime and overnight visits.

You can both get to know each other before hand, so they can choose you and you can choose them.

If you would like to apply to become a Shared Lives carer, please contact:

• 0191 424 7279
• sharedlives@southtyneside.gov.uk

A Shared Lives worker will then discuss the next steps with you.

Long-term arrangement

The payment is made up from a contribution from the adult's benefits and a fee from the Council.

The social worker or Shared Lives team will complete a financial form when the placement is agreed and they will inform the finance department in adult services.

A member of the finance department will then complete a financial assessment to highlight the different levels of contribution.

Short breaks

Short break Shared Lives carers are paid differently to the long-term ones as they only receive payment for the support they give.

The Shared Lives carer will need to submit a time sheet for each individual person / period they have supported.

Once the Shared Lives team verify the timesheet, they will forward it to our finance team.

The finance team will then pay the short term carer directly for the support they have given.

Tax and national insurance contributions

All Shared Lives carers are recognised as being self-employed providers.

It is your responsibility to make sure you seek appropriate advice from their local tax office.

All complaints and compliments will be recorded and dealt with in line with the Council's policies and procedures.

The Shared Lives worker will support shared lives carers with all aspects of the placement.

A carer's support group will be organised each month to allow shared lives carers to share and receive information regarding the schemes development. This helps to provide a positive support network between shared lives carers.

Shared Lives Plus (SLP)

Shared Lives Plus (SLP) is a charitable organisation that represents the interests of those involved in Shared Lives services.

SLP works to promote and maintain high standards of practice offering advice, support, training and a national forum for identification of issues.

It also offers support resources to:

• shared lives carers
• people supported by shared lives carers
• scheme workers

There is also a regional branch of SLP that meets regularly to discuss local and national issues and developments.