East Sussex Shared Lives scheme

Shared Lives offers a rewarding opportunity: a paid role in your home, providing accommodation and support for someone who would find it hard to live on their own.

You don’t need qualifications; a caring and supportive nature can make a real difference to someone’s life. We need people who can offer long-term accommodation, overnight and day-time respite.

What does being a Shared Lives carer mean?

In Shared Lives, the goal is an ‘ordinary family life’ – for everyone.

As a provider, you would offer a room in your home and a welcome into your family. You would help someone to:

• live a full and enjoyable life
• share activities and experiences
• feel part of their local community.

They would have their own room and the choice of sharing mealtimes and other facilities with others living in your home. Support may include:

• social activities
• supporting to increase their independence
• personal care
• help with medication.

Being a Shared Lives provider is different to having lodgers or renting out a room.

Shared Lives providers are self-employed and paid by the council. They receive allowances for rent, food and utilities as well as ongoing training and support.

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

The scheme is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) who rated it as 'Good' on 10 April 2020.

Report: East Sussex Shared Lives Scheme - Care Quality Commission.

Who would I be helping?

You would be supporting someone who may find it hard to live on their own, in everyday life. This could be someone with learning or physical disabilities, mental health problems or an older person.

How are people paired together?

Each person that needs somewhere to live will have an individual support plan that looks at their needs and wishes. Potential care providers' needs and wishes will also be considered, as will the location and type of property.

We match personalities and establish ‘house rules’, pairing people together carefully.

There will be several visits, and conversations had with both parties, before the match goes ahead.

We need a range of different people to open up their homes, Shared Lives is open to anybody who has the right attitude.

Find out more

UK network for shared living: Shared Lives Plus – Could you be a Shared Lives care provider?

Contact us

We would love to hear from you!

Email the Shared Lives team or  phone: 01323 747415