Becoming a paid carer at home is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Just like with fostering, as a Shared Lives carer you can invite someone who needs a bit of extra support to live with you – the big difference is that you’ll be supporting anyone over the age of 18. With Shared Lives you get to make a real difference in another adult’s life right from your own home. If you’re wondering how to be a paid Shared Lives carer at home, don’t worry – we’ll guide you through it from start to finish.
In this blog you’ll learn about:
- How to get started
- Who your recruiter will be
- How we help you with training and home visits
- Your final panel interview
- How we’ll support you after approval
1. The application and assessment process
First things first, you’ll fill out a simple interest form on the website. Then, one of our friendly recruiters will get in touch with you to introduce themselves and fill you in on everything. They’ll take you through an application form, which’ll help us get to know a little bit about you and your home. Don’t worry – we’re not looking for perfect answers. We’re open minded and just want to make sure becoming a paid carer at home is the right fit for you and vice versa.
Worried about filling out the application form? Whether you’re dyslexic, not used to online forms, or just not sure where to start, our recruiters are here to help. We’ll guide you through it step by step – no stress, no pressure, just support.
2. Get to know your recruiter
We have specialist recruiters in every one of our regions. They’re a friendly and understanding bunch, who will support you every step of the way, making sure you understand what being a self-employed carer at home involves. They’ll also help you complete your assessment forms and guide you through your training.
Wondering who your recruiter will be? Here’s the team:
Want to chat with your recruiter? Get in touch here
Pictured: PSS Shared Lives recruiter (and carer) from North Yorkshire, Paul Adams, shares his insight into the Shared Lives carer assessment process
3. Training and home visits
We provide training to help you feel confident in your new role. You’ll learn about:
- Safeguarding
- Finances
- administering medication
- And much more!
We’ve got a dedicated learning and development team who can support you to reach your goals – the sky’s the limit with what you can learn and how you can develop.
- Home checks: your recruiter will pay you a visit and you’ll talk about your skills, life experiences, and what you can bring to the role. It’s an informal process, and we make sure you feel comfortable throughout.
- Safety checks: they’ll also need to do some checks on your home. Don’t worry though, we’re not going to ask you to turn it into a five-star hotel! We still want your home to be homely, but it has to be safe for someone else, too.
We’ll see what type of home you live in (so we can match you to the right person) and give you advice about things like any hanging wires that might need to be sorted, alarms that would need to be installed, carbon monoxide detectors, first aid boxes and any other bits and bobs to help keep both you and the person you support safe and well. We’d also do a fire evacuation plan with you.
Pictured: Alison (left), PSS Shared Lives recruiter in Norfolk gives her best advice for anyone thinking about becoming a Shared Lives carer
4. The panel interview
The final stage is called Panel. It might sound formal, but it’s really just a chance for you to meet some of our team, including other carers and an expert by experience (someone who has lived experience of receiving Shared Lives support). They’ll chat with you about your journey so far and give you the thumbs up to get started. One of our newly approved carers put it best:
‘Our recruiter is lovely and so easy to talk to. It was also good fun to think about how many experiences we have had between us and what learning we can bring to new situations. We felt respected at every turn and really enjoyed meeting your expert by experience. We are looking forward to helping and supporting through PSS.’
5. Ongoing support from your development worker
Once you’re approved, you won’t be on your own. You’ll be matched with a dedicated development worker who will support you as you welcome the person you’ll be supporting. They’ll be on hand whenever you need advice, guidance, or just someone to chat things through with.
Why Choose Shared Lives?
At PSS, we do things differently. We’re not here to judge or catch you out, we’re here to support you.
- We believe in you. Everyone has something valuable to offer, and we help you unlock that potential.
- We offer full support. From recruitment to approval and beyond, we’re with you at every step.
- We match you with the right person. We carefully match carers with the people they support to find a great fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much do Shared Lives carers get paid? Carers are self-employed and receive a weekly payment based on the needs of the person they support. Learn more about fees here.
- Do I need qualifications to be a paid carer at home? No, you don’t need formal qualifications – just a caring nature and a willingness to learn. We provide all the training you need.
- Can I be a Shared Lives carer while working another job? Yes, depending on the level of support you provide. Some carers offer full-time live-in support, while others offer short breaks or support during the day.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re ready to take the next step or just want to learn more, we’d love to chat! Fill out our interest form or give us a call. We’re here to support you every step of the way.