Shared Lives South West (SLSW) Carers come from all backgrounds and bring a wide range of life and work experiences. They are professional, paid, self-employed carers.

We welcome people with care experience and transferable skills. All carers are required to have public liability insurance.

Just as there is diversity in the people being supported by SLSW, carers need to come from a variety of backgrounds and have different life experiences, skills, and qualities to help meet the needs of people they support.

There are, however, some common criteria that SLSW needs from you:

• To be at least 18 years-old. There is no upper age limit as long as carers are fit to offer support.

• To have a spare bedroom.

• To be a full-time resident in the UK or have leave to remain.

• To have the time to care and support the person to thrive.

• Anyone can apply to become a carer regardless of whether they are single/ a couple, have children or not.

• Being a SLSW Carer is open to everyone! You can be in a civil partnership, married, straight, LGBTQ+, whatever your race or religion.

No. When you are preparing to be a SLSW Carer you will receive training to help you identify and build upon the skills you already have, and develop any new skills you might need.

The support you give to people is as individual as they are, but could range from:

• Supporting someone with practical things like washing, cooking or shopping and helping them develop these independent living skills.

• It could involve some more personal care including washing or dressing or reminding them to take their medication.

• Helping people make social networks – keeping in touch with families, making new friends and getting involved in their community.

• Supporting people to access education, volunteering, training, and employment including how to manage their money and safely use it.

• Developing cultural and religious community relationships.

Some SLSW Carers start by offering short breaks.

It gives them a chance to discover what being a SLSW Carer is like. Short Break Carers who have a spare room are often surprised by how much they enjoy it and then it’s often an easy decision to open your home to someone long-term. Some carers start long-term placements straight from being approved.

The choice is yours.

We aim to go through the assessment process with you as efficiently as we can and you could become a SLSW Carer in as little as six to eight weeks, although sometimes it does takes longer depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the capacity of SLSW staff.

Yes! Usually, there is a main SLSW Carer and your partner can apply as a joint SLSW Carer.

More information can be found at the bottom of this page.

DBS, First Aid Training, Insurance and Shared Lives Plus membership.

Yes! This is one of the best parts of SLSW; everyone involved has a say and needs to be happy with who they are going to live with and enjoy a short break with.

It’s totally unlike any other caring role.

As part of the assessment to become a SLSW Carer, you’ll talk with your SLSW Coordinator (SLC) about who you’d like to support – their age range and needs, the number of people you will be approved to care for and any other considerations.

Typically all arrangements will be well-matched and planned, with you all getting to know each other before deciding the match is right.

SLSW Carers undergo mandatory training for example: First Aid, Mental Capacity Act, Medication Awareness, Health and Safety, Hydration, Infection Control, Equality Diversity and inclusion, Person Centred Support and Values and Safeguarding Adults.

Other training is available depending on knowledge and skills and the needs of the people being supported.

It must be declared to DWP as it’s treated as earnings.

If you have a tenancy you need an agreement from the landlord in the rented property.

You also need an agreement with your mortgage provider as it could make your mortgage void if you do not declare it.

Your SLC will be on hand to support you. They will be able to provide you with any advice and guidance as well as ongoing training for the role. You’ll also be able to access other services that you or the person you support need – the network of professionals around you will lead to incredible discoveries for the person you support – and you! SLSW will share activities and events to help support you.

We link you with other carers for support as we have the buddy system and we also organise social events. We also have a growing Shared Lives South West Carers Facebook private group where carers from across the organisation chat, post pictures and share activities. The national umbrella organisation Shared Lives Plus can also support you. You can join as a member and will be part of a network of 16,000 carers.

Your health will be considered when applying to be a Shared Lives Carer and any long-term conditions are taken into account.

The most important factor is whether you are physically and psychologically fit to cope with the demands of supporting someone else.

Yes.

Not necessarily. We ask for potential carers to be open and honest about their past convictions. The law states that the only criminal convictions that prevent people from caring are those that relate to an offence against children or vulnerable adults or a sexual offence.

Minor offences may not count against you in your application to be a Shared Lives Carer. You will need to disclose all criminal convictions when you first apply to SLSW as the application process to become a SLSW Carer includes an enhanced criminal record check.

Contact your SLC and your contingency plan will be put into action

SLSW Carers will have respite, but will need to discuss this further with their SLC.

It is not essential to have disabled access, however it may increase opportunities of a match.

We encourage you to maintain your own well-being and use your support carers when needed.

No, but it is helpful as part of the role.

No. SLSW refers SLSW Carers to the HMRC. There is a leaflet that we send out to SLSW Carers. We also provide you with details of your payments at the end of each financial year to help with your tax return. There is also access to assistance via the Shared Lives Plus membership.

Yes. You have to acknowledge that the person you are supporting may need your support during your working hours.

Yes, it is vital to your role. A lot of Shared Lives Carers access correspondence, communication and training on their mobile phone, laptop or iPad.

No.