Shared Lives Carer

About Shared Lives South West

Share your home. Share your life.

Shared Lives South West is an award-winning charity that delivers long term and short break care services throughout Cornwall.

We provide care and support and are an alternative to supported living and residential care.

Established for more than 15 year, we are a highly regarded care provider, rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission.

We have a very strong reputation in the Shared Lives sector for quality, innovation and person-centred approaches.

We specialise in supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health problems, dementia and older people.

People who use our services live or have a break in the home of one of our approved carers. It’s similar to adult fostering and is a great alternative to supported living or residential care.

We are passionate about training and investing in our carers to ensure we deliver high quality services.

SLSW Carers:

· Need care experience or transferrable skills, a spare room and a big heart!
· Provide care and support in their own home
· They need a spare room to provide the care and support
· All SLSW Carers will complete mandatory training and there are other training options to expand their skills to provide the best care they can.
· Carers can provide short breaks or long-term placements
· Matching carers with the person supported is what we do best. We work with the carer to ensure they are part of the process and happy with the person they are matched with.
· You will have the support of a designated Shared Lives Worker.
· SLSW Carers are self-employed and pay will depend on the level of care and support. More details can be found on our website.

Our vision, purpose and our values

Our Vision: To be the leading Shared Lives provider in the country.

Our Purpose: To make a positive impact on the lives of the people we support.

Our Values: Putting CARE into everything we do…

Community. Working together with a shared purpose and belonging to achieve common goals.

Autonomy. Empowering people to take ownership and accountability for decision-making.

Resilience. Building the strength and character to embrace change and challenge.

Equity. Giving people what they need to have equal access to opportunities in life.

At the heart of our organisation are the people who use our services and our amazing carers.

About the role

Shared Lives Carers have the unique opportunity to make a profound difference in someone’s life, while enjoying the flexibility of working from their own home, earning an income, and receiving full training and support. If you have experience of care, a spare room, and a big heart, why not consider becoming a Shared Lives Carer?

It’s a little like adult fostering. You, as a Shared Lives carer, host an adult with additional needs in your own home.

If you have a spare room, care experience and the desire to make a difference for an adult needing extra support we'd like to hear from you.

The support you offer could either be short term or long term.

A typical day

Long term support
The person becomes part of your household, living with you full-time and becoming an integral part of your family. This arrangement is ideal for those seeking ongoing care, companionship, and stability in a nurturing home environment.

Short breaks
Provide respite care through overnight stays, weekend visits, or short-term placements lasting a week or more. This support gives families or full-time carers a break, while offering individuals a change of scenery and engagement in a supportive home.