Shared lives

Shared Lives is a unique service managed by Portsmouth City Council for adults. If you have a learning disability, mental health issue, autism or other physical health needs, and need some extra support to maintain their independence and wellbeing, this service can help.

You’ll be able to live in the home of your Shared Lives carers for long or short stays. You can also have day support.

Your carers can support you with any daily activities you’d like help with such as cooking, budgeting and laundry. You’ll also be included in their family and community life.

They can also help you get involved in the local community, with voluntary work or other activities in the local area (like shopping, swimming, or going to the theatre).

Shared Lives is available to any adult who’s been assessed as having eligible care needs. Find out more about getting a care needs assessment.

Shared Lives can offer you the opportunity to live in a family home where you’ll be made to feel part of the household. You’ll have your own bedroom, as well as shared access to the rest of the home with other members of the family (and up to two other Shared Lives service users).

Your carers will be able to help you with things that you need support with like going to the shops, the cinema, day services. They can also help you with going to work or college, washing and dressing, managing your money, and preparing a meal.

You’ll be supported to keep up relationships with your friends and family. They’ll be able to visit you at your new home or you can also continue to visit them.

It’s important that your new carers have information about you and know what you like and dislike, what you can do and what you need help with. A member of the Shared Lives team will help you write a support plan that tells your new carers all about you.

When you move into your new home, a member of the Shared Lives team will visit you and your carers to find out how things are going. This will give you both a chance to talk about your feelings and whether you are happy or not.

Contact us

If you, or someone you know, is interested in using the Shared Lives service, please contact our team:

• Email: shared.lives@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
  
• Phone: 023 9261 6706

Are you looking for a unique and rewarding role? Do you have a spare room, some spare time and could welcome a vulnerable adult to live as part of your family? If so, you could become a Shared Lives carer.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re single, an older couple or have children, Shared Lives households come in all shapes and sizes. Some Shared Lives carers continue to work, and some make Shared Lives their full time jobs.

The council needs more Shared Lives carers and welcomes carers from differing cultural and ethnic backgrounds, with varied skills and experience. You get paid for being a Shared Lives carer – the amount varies depending on how much of your time is needed, but it can be between £250 and £400 a week.

Previous experience working in a health setting isn’t necessary, but we are interested in recruiting carers who have some experience in healthcare.

A carer’s availability influences who is matched with them. We will also take into account any children living at home. You don’t have to be a homeowner either, although tenants should ask their landlord’s permission.

Application and training process

If you’re interested in making an application, or learning more, please visit the Shared Lives Plus recruitment portal and set up an account.

Once you’ve made your application with Shared Lives Plus, our team will be in touch.

A member of the team will visit you and your family at your home, and you’ll be provided training and support to complete the approval process. We’ll organise an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and ask you to provide references.

Once the training and approvals have been completed, we can start to plan a suitable match for you.

Contact us

If you’d like to get in touch with the Shared Lives Portsmouth team, you can email or call us at the details below. We’d love to hear from you.

Email: shared.lives@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Phone: 07957 384 969