Who can use Shared Lives
Shared Lives is a support service that helps adults live more independently in the community.
The service provides an alternative to residential care, with support in a carer's home or community setting.
Shared Lives is for adults who:
- need support to live in the community
- are over 18
- are eligible for social care services
This includes people who have:
- a learning disability
- a mental health condition
- support or care needs due to age
- a physical disability
- other disabilities or impairments
What Shared Lives support offers
Shared Lives support can be provided in different ways, depending on what works best for the person needing support.
In a carer’s home
The person may live in a Shared Lives carer’s home and receive support with everyday life.
This can be:
- short‑term, for example to give their main carer a break
- long‑term, as a more permanent living arrangement
Daytime support
The person can have regular support sessions during the day in a Shared Lives carer’s home.
Outreach support
The person may live in their own home, with a Shared Lives carer providing help as needed.
How to get support from Shared Lives
To receive Shared Lives support, an assessment is needed to check whether someone is eligible.
If an assessment has already been completed, the person’s social worker can advise on what Shared Lives support may be available.
Shared Lives factsheet
You can download a factsheet with a summary of the Shared Lives service if you would like a printable version or want to share it with someone else.
Contact us
To find out more about Shared Lives, use our care and support enquiry form.
Our Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating
Comments or complaints about this service
If you would like to make a comment or complaint about the Shared Lives service, use the comments, compliments or complaints page.
You can also contact our customer service team. An adviser can make a comment, compliment or complaint on your behalf.
