Shared Lives – Current Vacancies

This is a self-employed position Shared Lives Carer Are you a kind, caring and compassionate person who enjoys being around people, helping make them happy? 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 can be provided right from your own home. A Shared Lives Carer helps make a real difference in the person’s life, offering their time and support. 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. The support you would provide aims to enhance a person’s independence and wellbeing. You will help them grow, develop in confidence and enjoy tasks, activities and hobbies, such as walking, crafts, singing, sports, shopping, or going to the cinema, concerts and the pub. The service is both flexible and personalised and can be offered in a variety of ways to suit both the carer and the person. This is all done with the training, supervision and guidance from Vivo’s Shared Lives scheme. How to become a Shared Lives Carer You can apply to become a Shared Lives Carer by downloading an application form and returning it to : Everyone applying to the scheme will be 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 three to six months. Who are we looking for? We welcome people of all ages and backgrounds who are married, single, living with a partner, with or without children, who own their own home or rent with or without experience of caring for people. Anyone over the age of can become a Shared Lives Carer. This is a home working role, for long-term and respite support, a spare bedroom is essential. For respite day time sessions you can chose your own days of work. 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. Benefits of being a Shared Lives Carer As a Shared Lives Carer, you are self-employed and you can receive tax benefits if you fit the criteria. Long-term carers benefit from four to six weeks paid respite a year to make sure that the match continues positively. 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 Vivo’s training courses, as well as peer group meetings, can be arranged by your scheme workers. You will be part of a service regulated by the Care Quality Commission (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 £ per week for short stay (dependant on assessment needs)An allowance of up to £ per night for respite arrangements (dependant of assessment needs)In carers home - £ for up to three hours support£ for up to hours day support