The approval process for Shared Lives carers

All of our carers go through a thorough application and assessment process. This process involves:

Making an enquiry using the enquiry form. We'll then contact you for an informal chat.
Completing an application form.
Home visits from our Shared Lives workers.
An interview with someone who has had support via Shared Lives.
Completing a carer profile.
Giving your comments on the assessment.
Attending the Shared Lives Service Panel.

Timescales

A panel meets to consider applications each month.

The application process usually takes about three months, but the length of time can vary.

Further details

Here are some more details about the different steps in the application process. Select the heading and the section will expand to give you more information.

The information you need to provide on the application form includes:

the reason why you want to become a Shared Lives carer
personal information about you and your household
your current or previous work experience
two personal and professional references
permissions from your mortgage provider or landlord
a reference from your GP
consent to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

A DBS check is where you'll need to declare any criminal convictions or police cautions that you have. Having a criminal conviction will not necessarily stop you from becoming a carer.

The next stage of the approval is the assessment.

This involves us making several home visits to you and your family.

Members of your family who live with you must agree to be part of the assessments.

They must also commit to being part of the Shared Lives Service. We'll consult them during the visits.

You'll meet someone who is supported on Shared Lives in this interview. One of our Shared Lives workers will also be there.

We'll observe their first impressions, such has how you made them feel.

We'll look at how you engage with the person to address their needs.

You'll need to compile a Carer Profile as part of your application

This gives details of what you could offer someone who came to live with you.

Our Shared Lives team will help you with this.

Once we've completed the assessments, we'll write up the details in a report.

We'll send this on to you and you'll have the opportunity to make comments.

Once you're happy with the assessment, we'll submit it to the Shared Lives Service Panel for approval.

The next stage is attending the Shared Lives Service Panel.

Panel members will ask some questions about why you want to become a Shared Lives Carer

The panel decides whether your application to be a carer is approved.

If you're approved, the panel will decide the type of placement you can offer and how many people you can support.

We'll write to you to let you know whether you have been approved as a Shared Lives carer following the assessments. We'll also outline the terms of the approval.

If you're approved, you'll sign a contract to provide the Shared Lives Care arrangement with us.

It can take time to match the right person to the type of placement you can offer.