Become a Shared Lives carer

Shared Lives is a modern and flexible way for people in Islington to receive support and care from within their local community. They are matched with Shared Lives carers, who are ordinary people that open their home to the person needing support.

Shared Lives is for people aged 16 and over, who have a learning disability, autism or mental health condition. They are referred to the service by a social worker or healthcare professional. 

What you'll do

Shared Lives carers provide one of the following types of support:

• Day support: An individual with an eligible need will be supported by a Shared Lives carer for a short period of time during the day (not overnight).
• Overnight respite: An individual with an eligible support need, who lives in another supported environment (usually with their own family), will stay with a Shared Lives carer for an agreed period and on a regular or periodic basis.
• Live-in support: An individual with an eligible support need will move into a Shared Lives carer's home and live with them as part of their family long-term.

Shared Lives carers help people with with:

• Practical tasks like cooking, shopping, or managing money
• Personal care like washing, dressing, or taking medication
• Making new friends, staying connected to family, or getting involved in the community
• Accessing education, training, employment, or volunteering opportunities

Who can be a carer

Shared Lives carers come from all backgrounds and bring a wide range of life and work experiences. What matters is having the right personal skills and qualities to welcome and support a person into their home.

You don’t need to be an Islington resident, but you must meet the minimum criteria:

• At least 18 years old
• Full-time resident in the UK or have leave to remain
• Have the time to support a resident with care and support needs either full-time or part-time
• Have the support of your household members
• If you are willing to support residents to live or stay with you overnight, you must have a spare bedroom

Pay

You’ll be paid for your time depending on type of support you offer. The pay doesn’t just cover expenses. For some people, being a Shared Lives carer is their career. If you live in Islington, you will also be exempt from paying council tax.

Support and training

You will be supported by a Shared Lives coordinator who will provide ongoing support, guidance and training. You can also join the Islington Shared Lives carers group to meet other carers near you.

How to apply

Email SharedLives@islington.gov.uk about becoming a Shared Lives carer. We will aim to contact you within five working days to discuss the scheme and application process.