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Shared Lives

What is Shared Lives?

Shared Lives aims to promote and enhance the independence of customers, to enable them to form new and meaningful relationships and to broaden their experiences. Placements should offer the opportunity and support to enable customers to experience choice and to have increased presence and a more active role in the local community.

Services offered by Shared Lives include:

  • Long term placements Sometimes a person who needs support has to move from their home. This may be because their family/carers are elderly, ill or simply because they would like to become more independent. A long term placement is when a person goes to live with an approved carer and the arrangement will last as long as the person is happy and their needs can be met.
  • Short term breaks Some people have regular breaks depending on their needs. A break may range from a few hours, an overnight stay or a fortnights stay: however this is flexible and could be longer.
  • Day care support which is offered either in a Shared Lives carer's home or in community setting. Occasionally an individual may need support during the day. This may be because their family/ carer are at work or the individual may want to be involved in more community activities.

Who can access Bury Shared Lives?

To access the Shared Lives scheme an individual must be aged 18 or over and assessed as being eligible for support /care from Bury Adult Care Services; this is checked through the Fair Access to Care Services criteria. The scheme supports people who may have a learning and /or physical disability, mental health problems and/or older people's mental health i.e. dementia and/or problems associated with getting old. 

How is the support provided?

Support will be provided by an approved Shared Lives carer who is fully trained and skilled to meet an individual's needs. For short term and long term placements, this will be provided within the Shared Lives carer's own home where the customer will be given your own bedroom. Day care support is also available; this is provided by an approved Shared Lives carer either at the carers own home in a community setting.

See related pages for information about how to become a Shared Lives carer.