You must complete your training and gain your care certificate. You will not be able to have anyone share your life until then (however we will start the matching process). Find out more about the shared lives training.
CARING FOR SOMEONE
Shared lives carers
"I'd like to provide a home for an adult who needs care and support."
Preparing to be a shared lives carer
Once you have completed the application process and been approved, you have a few more things to do before you can start being a shared lives carer.
What you need to do next
Now that your application has been approved, here are the next steps:
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Step 2 - The matching process
ShowIt’s important that you find the right person to support, so we’ll start sending you information about people who are looking for a shared lives carer.
You’ll find out their likes, dislikes, needs, and what they’re looking for in a carer.
When we find someone who may be a match for you, we’ll set up the opportunity for you to meet and spend some time together before anything is confirmed.
This helps to make sure that both you and the person who needs a carer are happy before any arrangement is made.
When you have been successfully matched
6 week review
Once the match has been agreed, and you have started sharing your home, we’ll review the situation after 6 weeks. This is to make sure things are going well for both you and the person you are supporting. If there are any difficulties, we’ll work through them.
If it’s really not working or if there are any concerns at that point, we’ll end the arrangement and work towards another match for both parties.
Planning for an emergency
It is important to consider what would happen if you are caught up in an emergency and unable to carry out your care duties.
We recommend that you create an emergency plan that covers the following information for the person you look after, such as any:
- medication they take and where it is kept
- ongoing treatment they need
- allergies they have
- ongoing treatment they need
- care and support services they receive
- continence products needed and who supplies them
- mobility challenges and mobility aids such as a wheelchair or hoist
- behavioural issues others need to be aware of.
It should also include:
- details of their GP and pharmacy
- who needs to be contacted in an emergency - this may include friends, family or professionals.
It may be helpful to ask family, friends or healthcare professionals to review your plan. Your support worker can also advise you.
Give people a copy of the plan – or let them know where they can find it and make sure the information is regularly updated.