West Glamorgan Shared Lives

This scheme supports people with an assessed need, who want help living in their community. We match people who need support with professional, vetted and approved Shared Lives Carers. The carers provide housing and help within their homes to the people who need support. This often develops into broader networks of support.

The service is a growing alternative to residential care. It caters for people seeking:

• permanent or short-term housing
• short breaks
• sessional support

Shared Lives Carers

Our carers come from all walks of life and choose to care for lots of reasons. They are united through their:

• enthusiasm
• commitment
• positive motivation to make a real difference in people’s lives

This gives you a real choice in how, where and with whom you receive support.

How it works

This service matches adults with care or support needs to compatible carers. Carers share their home, family, and community life with the person. The aim is to help them develop and maintain:

• independence
• friendships
• new skills
• connections in their local area

The scheme offers Shared Lives arrangements in Neath Port Talbot and Swansea.

Types of arrangement

Shared Lives arrangements are tailored to the needs and requirements of the person. They are flexible and person-centred. This allows a wide range of people who need support to live more independent lives.

Shared Lives carers can provide:

• short break accommodation with care and support
• long-term accommodation with care and support
• day support, where you spend time with an approved Shared Lives carer in their home and community

There are several types of arrangement.

Long term

Accommodation and support in the carer's home on a long-term basis. This gives people the opportunity to be involved in:

• family life
• social activities
• household activities

Respite

Respite with an adult placement family in an ordinary home setting. People often return to the same family for regular respite. This gives people the opportunity to:

• build and maintain relationships
• learn new skills
• have new experiences

Emergency

Accommodation and support at short notice. This could be because of a family crisis or illness.

Sessional support

Support from a Shared Lives carer during the day, evenings or weekends. The support may be in the carer's home or the local community. Support is person-centred and depends on the needs of the person. It can include a range of activities, encouraging individuals to:

• learn new skills
• build confidence
• gain greater independence

Using the service

Shared Lives is open to anyone over 18 who needs extra support to live independently.

Service users include people with the following:

• physical disabilities
• sensory impairments
• learning disabilities
• mental health support needs
• difficulties with managing daily activities as they get older

People who use the service may need support all the time or only with certain things.

Shared Lives offers a real alternative to other types of support and accommodation. Talk to your social worker for more information.

Becoming a carer

Anyone can apply to become a carer. You don't need to have formal qualifications. The scheme will provide you with the training that you need.

We are looking for people with:

• sensitivity and warmth
• commitment
• a sense of humour
• an interest in helping other people
• a stable home environment
• time to offer to someone who needs support in aspects of their life

Assessment

When you apply you'll need to go through our assessment process. After the assessment, you can decide on the type of arrangement you want to offer. Your Shared Lives Support Worker will support you with this. They will match you with people you are likely to get on with.

Payment

Carers are paid for all Shared Lives arrangements they provide. The amount is different depending on the type of arrangement that you offer.

Contact us for more information about becoming a carer.

Training and support

Training courses

We offer training to prospective carers during the assessment process and after approval. Our courses aim to help:

• maintain and develop carers' knowledge and skills as part of an ongoing process
• carers provide care and support to the person they are supporting
• carers meet the specific needs of the person they are supporting

Support

Each Shared Lives carer has a Shared Lives Support Worker. The Shared Lives Support Workers visit carers at home to:

• check and support the arrangements
• discuss how arrangements are going
• offer guidance

The scheme staff team includes:

• Shared Lives Support workers
• a Shared Lives coordinator
• a manager
• administrative staff

There are also regular meetings for carers. These meetings allow carers to meet each other, and to discuss Shared Lives as part of a group. Staff from the Shared Lives scheme attend and help with the meetings.