Care to make a difference? Shared Lives a different way to care

Home: Community: Care and support: Carers: Shared Lives

Shared lives - Using the service

Frances Barnes - October 2011
shared.lives@kirklees.gov.uk

Who can use the service?
How long does it take to arrange a placement?
Is transport provided to and from the placement?
How often can I use a placement?
What does it cost?
How do I find out more about the Shared Lives scheme?
Contact us

Who can use the service?

The Shared Lives scheme helps many people, including people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, physical disabilities and older people.

It is a flexible and unique arrangement that fits with the life of the Shared Lives carer and meets the person’s needs. Shared Lives can:

Provide family carers with a regular break from caring.
Encourage the person to maintain and develop their independence and life skills away from family carers and in a different environment.
Provide support to a family during an emergency and offer reassurance that the person they care for is looked after during this time.
Provide an opportunity for someone to move from their family carers to live with a Shared Lives carer who will provide the support they need.
To prepare the person for more independent living.

A person who is interested in using the service is assessed for the level and quantity of support they require. They are then matched to a Shared Lives carer recruited from the local community. A Shared Lives carer is trained and paid an allowance for the support they provide.

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How long does it take to arrange a placement?

It is difficult to say how long it takes to arrange a placement, as each one is different. When someone is referred to the service we look for a match with a carer on the scheme. Matching is a two way process, everyone is consulted and introduced so that they can decide if the match is best for them.

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Is transport provided to and from the placement?

The service user or carer and the Shared Lives carers are requested to agree transport arrangements between them.

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How often can I use a placement?

Your assessment will identify your shared Lives needs. We try to match these with the amount of care and support the Shared Lives carer can offer.

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What does it cost?

The cost of a short break will depend upon the length of stay (number of nights) and your personal financial situation which is assessed by Kirklees Council.

If you are thinking about using a long-term placement with a Shared Lives carer your benefits will be paid to them for your care. You will still receive your personal allowance. The Shared Lives carer will be paid a top up allowance by Adult Services.

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