Shared Lives Carers​/Supported Lodgings Hosts

Interested in being a Shared Lives or Supported Lodgings carer?

We are so pleased that you are interested in becoming a Shared Carer Supported Lodgings Host. We are looking for ordinary members of the public just like you who can share their home, family and community life with a person needing support to help them live independently.

Here’s a little more on what being a carer/Host is all about and what you can expect to happen. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our dedicated team who will be more than happy to help.

Being a Shared Lives carer is a rewarding and flexible career. You could be sharing your home and life with an Individual who may have learning or physical disabilities, may be an older person leaving hospital or living with dementia, be someone with mental health problems or a care leaver.

You will be there to support them to maximise their independent living skills, everyday care and health needs as well as build their self-confidence so that they can realise their ambitions and potential.

As a career, you will share your home with an adult or young person who has been matched with you. Depending on your circumstances and how much time you can commit, this could be a long‑term living arrangement, a short‑term break, occasional respite care or perhaps even just one or two days a week helping someone during the day (rather than them living with you).

provide a safe, welcoming home where the young person feels respected and supported. Your focus would be on:

• Settling In
  :
  Offering a warm welcome, explaining house rules, and helping them feel comfortable.
• Building Trust
  :
  Listening, communicating openly, and creating a positive relationship.
• Promoting Independence
  :
  Encouraging life skills like cooking, budgeting, and managing responsibilities.
• Emotional & Practical Support
  :
  Being available for guidance and signposting to education, health, and employment services.
• Safety & Inclusion
  :
  Maintaining a secure environment and respecting their background and identity.

Whatever your circumstances, all these options help us deliver our Shared Lives and Supported Lodgings schemes to support a variety of different individuals.

Carers/Hosts are often people who have had a caring role of some sort, although not necessarily paid caring experience. However, we provide you with all the training and support you need, having the right values is more important to us than your previous care experience.

We are interested in applicants from all backgrounds as long as you are enthusiastic about making a difference to someone’s life. As well as being someone who wants to make a difference, the qualities we are looking for include:

• flexibility
• patience and understanding
• open‑mindedness
• good sense of humour
• willingness to complete mandatory training and attend carers meetings
• an ability to maintain confidentiality and committed to equal opportunities
• a positive attitude and initiative
• good record keeping and willing to work as part of the Shared Lives team

You will be paid for the care and support you provide. Pay will vary depending on the level of care and support provided.

As a career/Host, you will be classed as self‑employed and not as a Council employee. Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) treats income from Shared Lives & Supported Lodgings in a similar way to that of foster carers and has agreed beneficial tax arrangements. View more details and HMRC guidance on the  website.

Please get in touch with us for more information on the pay rates offered. Our contact details are Tel:
Email

All our prospective carers are supported through an approval process which takes around three months to complete and includes an application form, home visits and an interview with our independent assessment panel. Don’t be put off by any of this, as our friendly team of support staff will be on hand throughout the process to help guide you through each step.

Free training and ongoing support, which we…