Shared Lives Carer

Cumberland Council; Preston; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000

Job description

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a real difference to someone's life?

Have you ever thought about being a Shared Lives Carer?

What is a Shared Lives Carer?

Being a Shared Lives Carer is a unique experience and the type of support you offer can be flexible to meet your own personal circumstances. The role can fit around other work commitments and family responsibilities and be provided right from your own home.

The care provided by you could include having someone live with you, spend the week or weekend with you, or meeting up with someone once or twice a week. You would support someone to enhance their living skills, help develop new skills, support someone with their hobbies such as fell walking, crafts, sports, shopping, or to enjoy activities like going to the cinema, concerts, the pub, and holidays, or even supporting them with a work placement or volunteering job. The type of support you have to offer can be discussed with our team, and we encourage people from all backgrounds with different skills and interests.

You could support anyone over the age of 18 with additional needs such as learning disabilities, mental health, dementia, or physical disabilities. This is all done with the supervision and guidance of a Shared Lives scheme worker.

How To Become a Shared Lives Carer

Anyone over the age of 18 can become a Shared Lives Carer, and our carers come from a variety of backgrounds. They can be people who are working or not, people from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, couples with or without children at home, single people, grandparents, and single parents so finding childcare would not be an issue.

You can work from home, choose your own hours, and you don't need to have substantial experience working in care as full training will be given, and ongoing support is readily available from the Shared Lives Team.

Everyone applying to the scheme will be carefully assessed. This will include a full DBS check, home health and safety check, and personal health checks. All information is kept confidential.

During the assessment, you will build a relationship with your scheme worker who will then represent you at a panel for approval. This can take 2-3 months.

Who are we looking for?

We welcome people from all walks of life to support our service and become a Shared Lives carer. Each carer develops a personal profile which is used to match them with an individual requiring support based on common interests, location, and support needs.

For long-term and respite support, a spare bedroom is essential.

As a Shared Lives carer, you are self-employed and receive tax benefits. Long-term carers benefit from 28 nights paid respite.

You will have the opportunity to become a Shared Lives Plus member which can support you with advice about the legal and tax arrangements - you'll also receive many discounts and access to a whole community of Shared Lives carers for advice if you join.

Access to training courses as well as peer group meetings arranged by your scheme worker.

You will be a part of a service regulated by the CQC and have a dedicated scheme worker to talk through anything you're not sure about and celebrate your successes.

Allowance and Discretionary Payments Information

An allowance of up to £687 per week for long-term arrangements.
An allowance of up to £779 per week / £111 per night for respite arrangements.
Up to £12.70 per hour day support.
All payments made for support provided are Tax Free.

How To Register Your Interest Or Find Out More

To find out more about this Service and to have an informal chat with one of our team please call: 03300565697
Location: Cumberland
Or email the team on: [e-mail]
Website: www.cumberland.gov.uk/sharedlives