Become a Shared Lives carer

Find out about how to become a Shared Lives carer, training available and how carers are paid here.

Shared Lives

Shared Lives supports adults, and young people over the age of 16, who are unable to live independently. 

Shared Lives service looks for carers who can provide care in their homes for disabled adults, older people and vulnerable people needing support.

For many adults placed with carers, this will be their first experience of being part of a loving family and having the independence to live a fulfilling life in their local community.

Shared Lives can offer

  • Short term care
  • Long term care
  • Respite care

A range of help and support is available to all shared lives carers. 

Becoming a Shared Lives carer

We are looking for a diverse range of people to reflect our diverse borough to help care for vulnerable adults in Knowsley. Many people who enquire about becoming a Shared Lives carer often tell us that they ‘probably aren’t right’ but the truth is if you care, have a spare bedroom and time, then you are. 

The assessment process can take up to 3-4 months to complete, and, if successful, you will then be matched with a suitable person.

A Shared Lives Carer can support up to 3 adults at a time, providing long term support or short breaks. 

How Shared Lives carers are paid

Shared Lives Carers are not paid by the hour, and do not work to a fixed schedule. They get paid in line with the expectations set out in agreed daily or weekly rate. This can include a payment from the service user and a Housing Benefit rent contribution.

Shared Lives carers are not employed by the council, they are self-employed. This means they have to pay their own tax and national insurance. They can get the Shared Lives tax break. 

We will offer you training, support and guidance about how to support people in different situations, and we encourage all Shared Lives carers to attend regular training.

Our training includes assessment and induction

  • One day induction training
  • One to one training during the assessment process

Some of the essential training courses, which we expect all carers to attend are:

  • Safeguarding
  • Emergency first aid
  • Manual handling
  • Food hygiene
  • Health and safety 
  • Medicines management

Other courses are available dependent on the needs of our service users for example epilepsy or autism awareness.   

Contact

If you'd like to become a Shared Lives carer we'd love to hear from you!

Telephone

0151 443 2060

Email

knowsleysharedlives@knowsley.gov.uk

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