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Shared Lives carer roles

Shared Lives carers open their own home, inviting someone who needs care and support to share in family life.

What is a Shared Lives carer?

Shared Lives jobs allow you to build close connections with the people you support, by welcoming them into your home and family life.

It’s an incredibly flexible role – you’ll be self-employed and there’ll be a set agreement on how much care you provide.

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What does the role involve?

You’ll agree with the individual how much care you’ll provide, but your day-to-day might include:

  • Supporting individuals with everyday tasks such as getting up or cooking.
  • Helping them to learn new skills and how to live independently.
  • Assisting them with social activities or helping them get involved in their community.
  • Going on holiday or to family parties and events together.

What skills and qualifications do I need?

This is an entry-level role, but what’s most important is:

  • Your kindness, compassion and people skills.
  • Good English, numeracy and time management skills.
  • Your patience, resilience and flexibility.
  • Your ability to work under pressure in emotional situations.

You may also need:

  • GCSE A-C / 4-9 in English and Maths.
  • A social care qualification such as Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care.

Don’t worry if you don’t have these qualifications – if you’re interested in getting them, you can work towards them once you start the job.

What hours will I work?

This is a different kind of care role so you won’t work regular hours – it’s more about matching people together so that the care and support feels more like family life. You could do this for:

  • A few hours a week.
  • A short time such as a weekend or respite period.

Or you could support someone full-time, where they come and live with you.

Is there training and progression?

When you first start, you’ll undergo basic training such as health and safety, first aid, and moving and handling. You might also receive specific training based on individual care needs.

You can also benefit from:

  • Informal training & education.
  • Formal qualifications such as a Diploma in Health and Social Care (up to Level 5) or specialist subjects like dementia care, communication skills and team leading.
  • Over 50 vocational qualifications at all levels including topics such as dementia care, communication skills and team leading.
  • Opportunities to progress and develop in adult social care and specialise in a certain area or take on more responsibility.

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