How to become a Shared Lives carer
Shared Lives South West is actively seeking new Shared Lives carers.
Making an application
To become a carer, you have to apply to one of our offices on the forms which you can download from the bottom of this page. When we get your form, we will make contact with you to discuss your application. If we are currently looking for carers in your area, or with your skills and experience we will then arrange an initial visit from one of our Shared Lives coordinators. During this initial visit, we will take some basic information, have a look round your home, take you through exactly what is entailed in being a Shared Lives carer and answer any queries you may have. If you wish to go ahead and we feel confident about you, we will then invite you to join the assessment process.
Assessment and approval
Our assessment process is a combination of thorough checks and references (CRB, landlord or mortgage, medical, professional background, personal references) and a series of in depth home visits. During the home visits we will talk to you about all aspects of your daily life, experience, values, background and approach to care.
We will also talk to all the members of your household. This gives us a very thorough picture of who you are and what you would bring to the role of Shared Lives carer. It also alerts us to any concerns or issues we would have and helps us form a picture of who you might best be able to support in your home. It also gives you a chance to really think about what you would be taking on and whether this demanding role is really for you!
This process takes 2-3 months. If all goes well and we are all happy, we would then put your application and our assessment to our independent approval panel who will help decide whether you should be approved as a Shared Lives carer for Shared Lives South West.
Current recruitment
Currently we are urgently seeking carers in:
- Exeter
- The South Hams
- Torbay
- Plymouth
- North Devon
- East Cornwall
and
- Carers with experience of supporting people with mental health needs in Cornwall
- carers with experience of supporting older people and people with dementia in all areas
