Shared Lives Carers provide support, within their own homes, to adults with care and support needs. The service operates in a similar way to a foster care placement but is specifically designed for adults, who stay as part of the carer household on either a long term, short term, or day session basis.
In return, Shared Lives Carers earn up to £501 per week or pro rata and can claim tax relief as they have self employed status.
The City of Wolverhampton Council has appointed Camphill Village Trust to deliver the Shared Lives contract throughout Wolverhampton from 2022-25.
The Trust’s Head of Service Kate Morgan said: "We were thrilled to have been successful with our bid for the Wolverhampton contract and look forward to working in partnership with the council to raise the profile of Shared Lives over the coming years right across the city and surrounding areas.
"The council is keen to increase the Shared Lives offer to older adults, perhaps those with early onset dementia, or as a combat to loneliness and social isolation, to children leaving care or transitioning from foster care to adult services, and across the mental health provision, in addition to supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism, as the model is more commonly known for.
"Shared Lives Carers can offer long term support, which we call ‘live in’ as a stepping stone to greater independence, or carers may choose to opt for the more part time route with short breaks, which enables families to have respite breaks from their caring roles, and for their loved ones to stay with one of our households as a home away from home option, rather than the traditional residential care model.
"To be working alongside the City of Wolverhampton Council and its creative thinking around Shared Lives is exciting, as the model is well known for supporting people to live longer, healthier, happier lives."
Councillor Linda Leach, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "Shared Lives is an innovative service that supports the person to develop the social and practical skills they need to be as independent as possible and live at the heart of their community.
"Shared Lives has been running in Wolverhampton since 2014 and has had an incredible impact on the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens, offering greater choice around the support received and providing a real alternative to more traditional forms of care such as residential and day care settings.
“At the same time, people across Wolverhampton also have the chance to embark on a value laden career as a new Shared Lives Carer, a career that is not only financially rewarding but one which can fit around existing commitments.
"We are delighted to be teaming up with Camphill Village Trust for the next stage of our Shared Lives journey, and I would encourage anyone who is interested in taking on this life affirming role to find out more today."
Anyone interested in finding out about becoming a Shared Lives Carer is asked to please call 01384 441505 or visit Shared Lives West Midlands.
