Sutton Shared Lives - adult family placement

Sutton Shared Lives Service recruits and supports paid carers to work with adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs and older people. Shared Lives carers offer their homes and family life to provide a safe place for people to live, have a short break or engage in day activities. Some carers provide a service to more than one person.

Who can be a Shared Lives carer

• carers must usually live in the London Borough of Sutton and can be couples, single, some with children and some without
• current carers reflect the local community so we can often match specific cultural or religious needs
• all carers must have the physical space in their home and some experience or knowledge of caring or supporting people
• carers must be happy to share their family life with the people they will support and be willing to be flexible in meeting the needs or wishes of them

What the Shared Lives Service offer carers

• full training before matches made and ongoing support with newsletters, handbooks, regular visits, carer groups and personal development plans
• a careful, agreed matching process with an individual plan of introductions for each carer and person needing a service
• full advice and guidelines in helping carers with their self-employed status and associated insurance and tax requirements
• a weekly allowance with tax relief for approved Shared Lives Carers

What the people needing a service can expect

• a family home or day activity with a carer that is part of the local community and meets their chosen wishes or needs and respects their cultural and religious views
• the right to choose the service that best meets their needs and to involve people they trust if they need help to do so
• to be supported to make choices and be independent in all aspects of their life
• people who need a service will need to be referred by a social worker and may be assessed to pay a contribution towards their arrangement

What the Shared Lives Service offers people supported by carers

• carers that have the right values and attitudes and have been thoroughly assessed and trained
• carers that have had full references and checks taken and been approved by an independent panel
• a service that is regularly reviewed by the Care Quality Commission with reports available to the public
• a worker from the Shared Lives Service that will visit regularly and ensure that the arrangements are reviewed on a regular basis
• a service that puts the wishes and desires of individuals receiving a service first when looking at helping them achieve greater independence.
• you can find out more about the Shared Lives scheme on the Encompass' website
• for further information or to register your interest please contact 0208 915 2345 or sharedlives@encompass-latc.co.uk