Sandwell Shared Lives supports individuals with a Learning Disability with a wide range of needs to gain more independence and control over their lives.
We do this by matching them with people willing to share their homes, for a few hours, an evening, or weekend, or longer.
Could you be a Shared Lives Carer?
The main qualities you need are patience and commitment. You must be willing to give an adult the support and care they need, and to include them in your everyday life. You will be expected to help with personal care, like washing and dressing, help with finances, and medication.
You will be self-employed and be paid while someone is placed with you. If you provide a long-term placement you will get four week's paid holiday. You can support up to three people at any one time but you cannot employ any staff.
Watch our short film about Sandwell Shared Lives to find out more about the scheme.
Experience and qualifications
You must have some experience of caring for adults. This could be paid or voluntary work, or caring for a relative. You don't need formal qualifications. However, there is an approval process to go through.
The approval process
A worker from the scheme will visit several times and write a detailed assessment report about your home, your skills, knowledge and your abilities. This will include obtaining references and undertaking a 'police check'. The approval process could take up to six months.
Further training and support
After you have been approved, you can get further regular training. You can go to support meetings with other Shared Life Carers and will get a regular newsletter. The Shared Lives scheme will always support you.
If you are interested in living or getting some support in a Shared Lives home
If you are an adult with a learning disability or Autism, the Shared Lives scheme could be for you.
You will have your own bedroom and share the rest of the house. There will not be more than three people getting support at any one time.
Your Shared Lives carer can help you with lots of things like washing and dressing, and helping you with money and medication.
You can do the things you usually do like going shopping, going for a meal, having friends round, or keeping a pet.
Matching you up with a carer
We will talk to you to find out the things that are important to you. Then we will try to find a carer to suit you.
We will arrange for you to spend some time with your carer before you move in or choose to have support there. All the carers are checked, trained and supervised.
Charges
There is a charge but the amount you will have to pay will depend on the sort of care you want to have. You will have to pay a different amount for long term accommodation, short breaks, or day support.
Sandwell Council will give money if you have had an assessment that shows you need social care support. Also, if you have your own money you can pay yourself.
Further information
Sandwell Shared Lives Scheme is registered with the Care Quality Commission.
For information about Shared Lives nationally visit the Shared Lives Plus website.
Contact us
If you are interested in becoming a Shared Lives carer call us for an informal chat.
Call us: 0121 569 4467
Write to us: Shared Lives Scheme, Stoney Lane Day Centre, Summer Street, West Bromwich B71 4JA
Email us: sandwell_sharedlives@sandwell.gov.uk
Opening hours: Monday - Thursday 9am - 5.30pm, Friday 9am - 5pm
If you are interested in living or having some support in a Shared Lives home call our contact centre for adult social care services, Sandwell Enquiry.
Call: 0121 569 2266
Write to: Sandwell Enquiry, PO Box 15825, Oldbury, B69 9EL
Textphone: 0121 569 2083 (for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing)
Email: sandwell_enquiry@sandwell.gov.uk
Opening hours: Monday - Thursday 9am - 5.30pm, Friday 9am to 5pm