Brent Shared lives

Shared Lives matches adults who need support with approved carers who welcome them into their homes. It’s a flexible alternative to care homes or supported living, helping people build independence and live as part of the community.

It’s a bit like foster care – but for adults.

Depending on your needs, you could:

• live with a Shared Lives carer long-term
• stay for short breaks or respite
• spend days with them doing activities or learning new skills

Every match is carefully made based on interests, needs, and personalities – we want people to feel at home.

Shared Lives is for adults aged 18 and over who need extra support to live independently. This may include people with:

• Learning disabilities
• Physical disabilities
• Mental health needs
• Dementia
• Support needs after hospital discharge
• Experience in foster care or children’s services

You might stay for a few hours, a weekend, or move in long-term – it’s flexible and shaped around you.

Getting support through the Brent Shared Lives scheme

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

• You must have care and support needs: this could include a learning disability, mental health condition, or being an adult aged 16 or over. 
• You must meet the eligibility criteria set out by the Care Act 2014.
• Support is usually arranged through the council after a care needs assessment has taken place.
• A social worker will need to make a referral on your behalf and share some key details with us. 

Once we receive the referral:

• We’ll contact you to arrange an assessment.
• If you’re eligible, we’ll begin the matching process to find the right carer for you.

We take time to get the match right—for both the person receiving support and the Shared Lives carer. To help find the best fit for your personality, needs, and preferences, we may explore matches with more than one carer.

After a potential match is found, we offer a trial period to ensure it feels right. We also carry out regular reviews and gather feedback, making adjustments if needed to ensure the best possible support.

If you use direct payments or want to pay privately, you may still be able to join.

If you're a caring person looking for meaningful work from home, Shared Lives could be for you. You’ll support an adult (or up to three) in your own home – full-time or part-time – helping them live independently, learn new skills, and feel part of a family. 

Carers support people in different ways:

• practical help like cooking, shopping, or managing money
• personal care such as washing or medication
• social and community activities
• helping people find work, study or volunteer.

The focus is very much on doing with, rather than doing for.

Our carers are dedicated to making a difference to the lives of those they support.

You don’t need formal care experience – just the right values and a willingness to share your home and some of your passions. To become a 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)
• be supported by your household.

You will be asked to complete an assessment, which includes background checks, interviews, training, and home visits.

Support, training & pay

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

We provide full training, regular support and opportunities to meet other carers. 

For many carers, they find this is more than a job – it’s a way of life that’s deeply rewarding.