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We’re looking for people who want to make a real difference in someone’s life. If you have a spare room, a caring nature, and the time to support someone, we’d love to hear from you.
What do I need to become a shared lives carer?
You don’t need formal qualifications, we’ll provide all the training you need. Before you’re approved, you’ll go through a friendly but thorough application and assessment process.
We’re looking for people who are:
- kind, patient, and caring
- enthusiastic and committed
- good at encouraging others
- able to offer a safe and welcoming home.
You’ll also need access to the internet and a secure laptop or tablet.
What will I do?
Every person is different, so the support you give will depend on their needs. You might help with:
- getting dressed or ready for the day
- cooking and preparing meals
- attending appointments
- socialising and joining community activities
- working towards personal goals.
Who will I support?
You’ll support adults who need extra help to live independently. This could include:
- people with a learning disability
- people with a mental health condition
- older adults
- someone recovering after a hospital stay
- someone whose usual carer needs a break.
Support can be full-time, overnight, or just during the day. You’ll always meet the person first to make sure it’s a good match.
What are the rewards and benefits?
As a Shared Lives carer, you’ll get a tax-free allowance starting from around £23,000 per year, depending on the support you provide. Other rewards include:
- flexible work from home, fitting around your lifestyle
- full training and ongoing support
- the chance to make a real difference in someone’s life
- being part of a supportive community of carers
- a personally rewarding experience by sharing your home and helping someone thrive
What support will I get?
We’ll be with you every step of the way to:
- help you through the application and assessment process
- give you full training, including any specialist support you need
- get a dedicated shared lives officer as your main contact
- give you ongoing support and regular check-ins
- give you a flexible matching process that only moves forward when everyone feels ready.
Register your interest
Contact us
0208 359 3576
How do I become a Shared Lives carer
It’s great that you’re considering becoming a Shared Lives carer and making a positive impact in someone’s life.
If you think you meet the requirements above, start your Shared Lives journey by following these steps:
Register your interest in becoming a Shared Lives Carer
Or by contacting a member of our team on:
- Telephone: 0208 359 3576
- Email: Shared.Lives@barnet.gov.uk
Once you have filled in an application, a member of the team will visit you at your home and meet with your household.
We will talk to you more about the role and discuss the suitability of your home for Shared Lives.
The assessment process will be completed over a series of meetings either in person or online. We will want to know more about your life, your home, your family, and your community.
We will chat to you about why you want to become a carer, and the skills and experience you can offer someone.
As part of your assessment, we will carry out checks on you, your household, and your home. Below is the information that you will be expected to provide as part of your assessment:
- full name, address and contact details
- date of birth, National Insurance and NHS number
- personal, inclusivity, diversity and equalities information
- criminal or prosecution information DBS check
- information regarding your household
- health and safety aspects of your home
- photographs of your home, of yourself and members of your household
- information about your pets
- family and relationship information
- education and employment history
- training and qualifications
- health and medical information, such as GP details
- Social Services records and any other agencies involved
- information from the local authority
- your lifestyle and support network
- referees, referral and assessment information
A report of your assessment will be presented to the Shared Lives panel where they will decide whether to recommend you to be approved as a Shared Lives carer.
The assessment process usually takes about 3 to 4 months.
You will be assigned a Shared Lives officer to help you through the assessment and panel process.
What happens once I’m approved?
Training and preparation
Before you’re matched with anyone, you’ll complete a core training programme to make sure you’re confident and ready to take on the role. This training covers the essential skills and knowledge required to meet the Care Certificate standards.
Training is flexible, you can complete it online or in person, depending on what suits you best.
Once you’ve completed the training and demonstrated the necessary competencies, you’ll be ready to start receiving referrals.
Training doesn’t stop there. If needed, we’ll provide ongoing training and support tailored to the needs of the individual placed with you.
The matching process
After your core training, we’ll begin the matching process. This is where we introduce you to someone who could be a good fit for your home and lifestyle.
You’ll meet them several times, usually in your home so you can both get to know each other. The process moves at a pace that feels right for everyone, and no placement will go ahead until all parties are happy to proceed.
Your Shared Lives officer will support you throughout, checking in after each meeting and helping you feel confident every step of the way.
