Shared Lives

In Shared Lives, a young person or adult who needs support is matched with a Shared Lives carer by the Shared Lives service. Together, they share home, family, and community life. Shared Lives can support people aged 16+ who following an assessment of need require support and accommodation. The service is provided by individuals or families (Shared Lives carers) in a highly bespoke way. The service enables people to access community facilities, maximise their independence and quality of life and live an ordinary life in a place which feels like home. In many cases the individual requiring support will become a permanent part of the Shared Lives family and in other cases the individual will utilise the support for short breaks i.e. either overnight short breaks, emergency, or daytime support. Shared Lives is highly personalised and relies on achieving a match between the individual requiring support and the Shared Lives carer. Shared Lives carers are carefully selected, trained, and supported by the Provider as part of a regulated (CQC) Shared Lives scheme. The service is available to all people assessed as needing care and support under the Care Act 2014 or Children Act 1989 who live within Wolverhampton. The service can be accessed by a range of individuals aged 16 and above including: older people, people with mental health needs, people living with dementia, those with a physical and/or sensory impairment, learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions, care leavers and individuals with complex needs. The service enables people who have a permanent placement to remain in placement after the age of 65 as long as it can continue to meet their needs.