Brent Shared lives

Brent Shared Lives matches adults who require support with trained carers, who open their homes and their lives. Shared lives is a flexible and individualised support model that focusses on helping people grow in confidence, independence, and connection.

Shared lives has been likened to Fostering, but for adults with support needs.

Carers share their time and a home with adults who may need a little extra support to live independently.

This may include people with:

• learning disabilities
• physical disabilities
• mental health needs

Support takes place as part of everyday life in a home environment.

Shared Lives supports people as part of everyday life in a home environment.

It can help people:

• build confidence
• become more independent
• develop relationships with others

People are matched based on shared interests and personalities, helping them feel comfortable and at home.

What support is available

You can get support in different ways, depending on your needs. These include:

• long-term support, where you live with a carer as part of their household.
• short breaks, where you stay overnight for respite.
• day support, where you spend time together and take part in everyday activities.

Getting support from Shared Lives

If you or someone you know might benefit from this kind of support, here is what you need to know:

• you must have care and support needs, such as a learning disability or mental health condition
• you must be aged 18 or over and meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Care Act 2014.

A social worker will need to make a referral on your behalf and share some key details with us.

What happens next

Once we receive the referral:

• we will contact you to arrange a care needs assessment 
• if you are eligible, we will begin the matching process to find the right carer for you.

Matching you with a carer

Every Shared Lives arrangement is carefully matched based on both people’s interests, personalities and support needs. The aim is to help people feel safe and genuinely at home.

For many Shared Lives carers, this is more than a job, it is a way of life that is deeply rewarding.

As a carer, you share your home and day-to-day life with someone who needs support.

You do not need formal care experience, but you do need the right values and a willingness to share your home.

Who can become a carer

To become a Shared Lives carer, you must:

• be at least 18 years old
• live in the UK full-time or have leave to remain
• have time and space to support someone either full or part-time
• have a spare bedroom, if offering overnight support

Assessment, training and support

To become approved as a Shared Lives carer, you will be asked to complete an assessment.

This helps us make sure you and the people you support are a good match.

This includes:

• background checks
• interviews
• training
• home visits

Brent shared lives provide full training for all carers as well as regular support and opportunities to meet other carers. Mandatory training includes Safeguarding, health and safety and First aid.

Pay

Brent Shared Lives carers are paid for their time and, for many, this role has become a full-time career.

Shared Lives carers are classed as self-employed workers and will receive:

• a fixed tax-free allowance of £19,360 per household each year
• £485 per week for each person supported.